Visiting Sighișoara
Sighișoara is a medieval town in Romania, set along the banks of the Târnava Mare river and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is widely known as the birthplace of Vlad Tepes, or Vlad the Impaler, whose brutal reputation served as the inspiration for the Dracula character created by Irish author Bram Stoker. Settled in the 12th century by German merchants known as the Transylvanian Saxons, Sighișoara grew into a prosperous trade hub during the Middle Ages. Following the Mongol invasions that swept through Eastern Europe in the 13th century, the town fortified itself with extensive defensive walls, many of which still stand today.
An impressive Transylvanian citadel
Sighișoara remains encircled by a wall stretching 930 meters long and reaching heights of 8 to 10 meters. This barrier historically separated the noble upper town from the lower town. Of the original fourteen defensive towers, nine remain, including the Furriers' Tower, the Butchers' Tower, and the Tailors' Tower. Each was named after the craftsmen's guild responsible for its construction. The most famous, the Clock Tower, serves as the main entrance to the city. Standing 64 meters tall, it houses a local history museum containing period artifacts and even an old torture chamber. Its clock features two faces, one looking toward the upper town and the other toward the lower town. The side facing the lower town is decorated with small, hand-painted wooden pagan figurines representing the days of the week, while the upper town side displays allegorical figures representing Justice, Peace, and Law.
Several significant religious buildings are worth visiting in Sighișoara, most notably the Saint-Nicolas Church. This Gothic structure sits at the highest point of the city and is only accessible after climbing the 175 steps of the Scholars' Stairs. Additionally, the Dominican Monastery Church, now a Lutheran house of worship, marks the spot where the town first began to develop.
The Dracula myth in Transylvania
Beyond its ramparts, Sighișoara is home to numerous houses that have stood for over 300 years. The Stag House, adorned with a stag head, dates back to the 17th century, while the Venetian House from the 16th century features distinctively Italian-style windows. One of the most famous residences is that of Vlad Dracul, a prince of Wallachia, a medieval European state where Romanian was the dominant language. This is the house where he is said to have fathered his son Vlad the Impaler, the historical figure who heavily influenced the Dracula legend.
When to visit?
The best time to experience Sighișoara is during the summer months to take advantage of the warm weather. Every July, a medieval festival takes over the city streets.
How to get there?
Sighișoara is well-connected by train to major cities in Romania. The trip takes about 6 hours from Bucharest or 3.5 hours from Cluj-Napoca. Other Transylvania destinations, such as Sibiu or Brașov, also have direct connections to Sighișoara.
Dracula is one of my favorite novels. During my travels in Eastern Europe, I couldn't pass up the chance to go to Transylvania, specifically Sighisoara, which is said to be the birthplace of Vlad Tepes, the historical figure who inspired Dracula. Plus, I was lucky enough to visit just after it had snowed, which made my trip to this town look particularly picturesque. In truth, there is not much to do there, but it is often a stopover before heading out for other hikes in the region's magnificent landscapes.