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Sighisoara Romania One of our last stops in Transylvania Romana was Sighisoara. This walled town was founded in the 12th century by German craftsmen and merchants. The town, built on the site of a Roman fort, grew rapidly and became one of Transylvania’s most important commercial and artistic centers. Its growing role required enhanced fortifications, […]
Bierton Fortified Church We have visited fortified towns and fortresses that have churches within their walled perimeters, and even fortified monasteries; but churches that are themselves fortified? This was our first. Fortified churches, of which there are approximately 150 in Transylvania alone, are effectively poor-man’s fortified towns. Unable to afford or justify the expense of […]
Sibiu Romania Sibiu Romania is a town founded in the late 12th century by Saxon settlers, It has a wall built atop fortifications initially constructed in 1241 to protect the town from Tartar attacks. The town grew into prosperous commercial, crafts and eventually glass blowing center. In fact, as evidenced by its Guild House and […]
Cluj-Napoca Cluj-Napoca is Romania’s largest city. It began life as a Roman colony which was abandoned. It was resettled in the Middle Ages by German, Saxon craftsmen and merchants whom the Hungarians (who then controlled the town) recruited to expand trade and improve fortifications in the area. Although it traded hands many times in …
Fagaras Castle Fagaras Castle was the 13th-century home of a group of Teutonic knights. One of the strongest fortresses in Transylvania, the three-story, five-tower stronghold oversaw and provided protection for the people of the frequently sieged town. Surrounded by a roughly 50 foot-wide, six foot-deep moat (that could be tripled in size in preparation for […]
Brasov Romania Brasov Romania was initially founded by German settlers and rapidly grew into an important regional commercial center. Its riches, however, made it as target of frequent attacks. in the early 13th century, Teutonic knights fortified it and turned into a citadel city. This helped change the nature of the city.and its buildings. While […]