Sighisoara

A visit to Sighisoara one of the best preserved and most beautiful of the Fortified settlements of Transylvania.

 

Crossing the river from our campsite looking up at the Citadel.

 

 

View up the river Tarnava

 

 

The Blacksmiths tower.

 

The Clock Tower

 

The house where Vlad Dracul's house.

 

 

Vlad Dracula (The Impaler)

 

The Monastery church

 

 

The Shoemaker's Tower (Now the local radio station)

 

 

St Josephs Roman Catholic church

 

The 14th c Tailors  tower guarding the second access gate.

 

 

Covered walkway to the top of the hill

 

The Stag house, the best preserved house from the 17th c

 

 

The new Orthodox Cathedral

 

Drink time

 

A beautiful tranquil city.



Trans Alpine Pass and Biertan Fortress

We set off to try to conquer at least one of the Alpine Passes.

The Trans Alpine .

We were assured that this one was open.

We entered from the south via Petrosani and the road was diabolical, not just no surface but pot holes to disappear into if not careful. All this on a continuous climbing hair pin bend road. Luckily Sarah was driving, I just closed my eyes and prayed. Therefore no photographs of this section.

When we got to the pass we saw that the way south was indeed CLOSED.

 

 

Luckily we wanted to go north so off we went.

The road improved dramatically as I took over. We stopped for the night by the road overlooking Lac Oasa.

 

 

 

 

As we settled down by the Lake shore we were suddenly aware of a noise, a similar noise to one we had heard before in Norway. A landslide not far from the van but luckily on the opposite side of the road. We tried our best to sleep.

Next morning, very early we had breakfast and set off finding no real sign of the fall.

From here we headed down to Biertan and its Fortified Church.

 

Biertan is a Unesco World Heritage site.

The church is 15th century and is perched on a hill in the middle of town.

Three tiers of defensive walls thirty five feet high are connected by gates and towers.

 

 

A covered walk way climbs up to the church.

 

Couples seeking divorce were locked into this house for two weeks sharing one set of cutlery and one bed before making their final decision.

in 400 years only one couple went ahead with divorce.

 

 

 

Another memorable day.

We now head for Sighisoara.

 

 



Corvin Castle and Hunendoara

On route to Corvin castle at Hunendoar we encountered some elaborate houses which we were told belonged to the Rich Gypsy families.

As you can see they were very ornate.

 

 

Corvin Castle.

This spectacular Gothic style Castle was built by the Anjou family on the site of a former Roman camp and served as a Fortress until the mid 14th century when it became the residence of the ruler Ioannes Corvinus who upgraded it by transforming into a Transylvania Castle.

 

 

The Knights hall is splendid with all its different flags and floor decorations denoting the different Knights coats of arms.

 

 

The Raven and the ring legend.

Legend has it that young Corvinus had a gold ring which was the only proof of his right to inherit. A raven stole the ring and the young boy chased it and shot it with an arrow reclaiming his ring.

He took this as his symbol.

 

 

The torture cell.

Not many re-offenders in those days.

 

 

One final modern day Palace.

 

 

Another must visit as it is one of the Largest Castles in Europe and is a proper castle and not a Palace.



Sarmizegetusa Regia. Dacian ruins.

Gateway to the Park near Orasti which contains the ruined Dacian fortress of Sarmizegetusa Regia.

( 1c  BC)

 

 

Main Entrance to Fortress

 

 

Ancient Paved roadway down to the Sacred Zone.

This was a Ceremonial path leading down to an area which contained seven temples.

Two of these were cicular.

 

 

Large limestone temple.

 

 

Reconstruction of the circular sanctuary.

 

 

This is the Andesite Altar with drain channels to remove the liquids from sacrificial rights.

It is the only one of its kind in the Dacian area.

It had astronomic significance and usage.

 

 

There is evidence of  metal workshops around the site and there is evidence that they were forging the Roman coinage.

 

 

A very worthwhile visit.