Medieval Sighisoara, adorable and compact, made the perfect little day trip from Brasov. Even the drive proved to be more than a boring drive through countryside; the Transylvanian country surprised us with delightful sites such as the Rupea Fortress that jutted out dramatically fromĀ a hill:
Sighisoara itself is a sizable town, but tourists come there primarily to see the old city. Fortunately parking along the residential streets wasn’t cumbersome, making it easy for us and the motorhome. Ā We did however discover a massive parking lot at the foot of the old city that was free between 6pm and 7am. Ā (Even when it was paid parking, it was only 1 lei or 25Ā¢ per hour!) Because thereĀ were no signs banning overnight parking, we moved our motorhome to this lot and enjoyed a quiet evening with lovely views the next morning. =)
Due to itsĀ compact size, soaking in Sighisoara’s pleasures didn’t take much time. Ā Sure, all medieval towns boast a church, a square, cobbled streets, and quaint shops, but for some reason Sighisoara’s cuteness was magnified by its diminutive size.
Photo-worthy sites include the massive 13th century clock tower:
The small fee of 14 lei ($3.50) gave us access to the history museum within the clock tower, but I came for the views from the lookout. Ā Because the clock tower is relatively short, and its surrounding buildings are relatively nearby, the rooftops as seen from above felt magnified.
The Monastery Church as seen from the lookout:
Another site of significance is the house where Vlad the Impaler was born. Ā Remember, this is not where Dracula was born, but Vlad the Impaler!
And finally, the Church on the Hill. Ā From afar the Church on the Hill is striking; dramatically perched on the tallest hill of the old city, itĀ begs to be photograph. Ā However, I believe its most unique feature is the dark, covered stairway that leads up to the church.
Up close, the church itself wasn’t too special, except maybe the graveyard behind it. Ā The crooked collection of tombstones, gnarled trees, scenic hill, and church all contributedĀ to the spooky Transylvanian stereotype.
Medieval towns can be found inĀ all European countries and are a part of every itinerary. However, Sighisoara’s petite size makes sightseeing incredibly easy. Ā And because it is in Romania, the tourist crowds are actually manageable, and the prices are friendly on the wallet. =)