Transylvania Gems: Sighisoara, Medias, Biertan & Gypsy Encounter

Medias. You will be picked up from your hotel early in the morning and you will take a two-hour road trip to the first stop of the day, the city of Medias, where you will visit The Citadel of Light. Most of the buildings here were erected in the 15th century, with Masonic symbols widely spread in the architectural style. A short walking tour is all you need to discover the bohemian atmosphere of this historical city.

Biertan fortified church. Your next stop is at the Biertan Fortified Church, whose spectacular image could be used as a source of inspiration for a fantasy novel. The religious edifice surrounded by thick medieval walls was built in the 15th century, and the front door is equipped with no less than 19 locks and bolts.

Sighisoara citadel. The main attraction of the day is the Sighisoara Medieval Citadel, the only inhabited citadel in Europe. Passing through the cobblestone narrow streets and surrounded by colorful buildings will reveal the 9 towers of the Citadel, each one built by a different medieval guild (The Butchers’ Tower, The Tanners’ Tower, The Ironsmiths’ Tower, etc.). The most important of all is The Clock Tower, which was built in the late 13th and early 14th century. The Clock Tower was destroyed by a fire, but it was rebuilt in the 16th century, and it is now home to a history museum that includes a torture chamber. The Medieval Citadel was built in the 12th century, and it played a significant role in Transylvania’s history, being one of its 7 independent cities. Besides the Citadel and its 9 towers, Sighisoara is also home to The Hill Church, a church that you can reach by climbing 175 wooden steps, a Venetian House built in the 13th century, and the Stag House, which belonged to the elite of the city.

Visit at the gypsy community. Since Transylvania was home to isolated villages rather than to large urban settlements, here we will find traces of the medieval life in one of the villages that we will visit on our way back. The ethnical diversity and the tolerance are symbols of these small settlements, where for hundreds of years Romanians, Hungarians, Germans, and Gypsies have lived together peacefully. Gypsies settled here more than 800 years ago, forced by the invading Mongol invasion. Today we will visit some of their villages, and a stop at a local craftsman will teach us about smithing methods used in medieval times.