Medieval town of Sighisoara.

Matt Munro

Sighişoara

So resplendent are Sighişoara’s pastel-coloured buildings, stony lanes and medieval towers, you’ll rub your eyes in disbelief. Fortified walls encircle Sighişoara’s lustrous merchant houses, now harbouring cafes, hotels and craft shops. Lurking behind the gingerbread roofs and turrets of the Unesco-protected old town is the history of Vlad Ţepeş, the bloodthirsty, 15th-century Wallachian prince. He was allegedly born here, in a house that is visitable to this day. Ţepeş is best remembered as Vlad the Impaler, or Dracula, fuelling a local industry of vampire-themed souvenirs.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Citadel

    Citadel

    Sighişoara

    Sighişoara's delightful medieval buildings are enclosed within its citadel, a Unesco-listed complex of protective walls and watchtowers. Walking in the…

  • Birthplace of Vlad tepes Dracula, Sighisoara, Transylvania, Mures County, Romania

    Casa Vlad Dracul

    Sighişoara

    Vlad Ţepeş (aka Dracula) was reputedly born in this house in 1431 and lived here until the age of four. It's now a decent restaurant, but for a small…

  • Clock Tower

    Clock Tower

    Sighişoara

    The multicoloured-tiled roof of Sighişoara’s Clock Tower glitters like the scales of a dragon. The tower was built in the 14th century and expanded 200…

  • Church on the Hill

    Church on the Hill

    Sighişoara

    Don't miss hiking up the covered stairway to 'School Hill' (418m) to admire this evocative late-Gothic, triple-naved church. Originally a 13th-century…

  • Church of the Dominican Monastery

    Church of the Dominican Monastery

    Sighişoara

    This late-Gothic church has a spooky air, and guards a trove of baroque finery inside. First mentioned in 1298, the church was rebuilt between 1482 and…

  • Roman Catholic Church

    Roman Catholic Church

    Sighişoara

    Built in 1896, after the demolition of the Franciscan convent, St Joseph's thoroughly modern appearance owes to a fire and complete restoration carried…

  • Scholars' Stairway

    Scholars' Stairway

    Sighişoara

    From Piaţa Cetăţii, turn south up Str Şcolii to reach the 176-step covered stairway, which has tunnelled its way up the hill since 1642. With light…

  • Tinsmiths' Tower

    Tinsmiths' Tower

    Sighişoara

    The top-heavy Tinsmiths' Tower is one of the most easily recognisable, both for its height (25m) and its octagonal upper level. A siege in 1704 left scars…

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