By Joyce, on September 8th, 2018
 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, [Read more …]
By Joyce, on September 7th, 2018
 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 [Read more …]
By Joyce, on September 6th, 2018
 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 [Read more …]
By Joyce, on September 5th, 2018
 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 [Read more …]
By Joyce, on September 4th, 2018
 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 [Read more …]
By Joyce, on September 3rd, 2018
 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 [Read more …]
By Joyce, on September 2nd, 2018
 Bran Castle Bran Castle is the notorious castle that Bram Stoker used as a model for his legendary character, Count Dracula. Although Vlad Tepes never actually lived in this 13th-century castle, it is thought that the invading Hungarians did briefly hold him in the castle’s prison. This being said, the castle was a regular summer [Read more …]
By Joyce, on September 1st, 2018
 Sinaia Romania Sinaia Romania is a ski resort town in Transylvania. It is characterized by peak-roof buildings, including a number of huge mansions, some of which have been converted to into inns, some that stand empty and for sale. The town’s primary sites consist of: Sinaia Monastery, a 17th-century facility (refurbished in the late 19th [Read more …]
By Joyce, on September 1st, 2018
 While most of us have heard of Transylvania, how many of us knew it was a real place or have been there? Well, we were in Romania, so we had to check it out. Maybe, just maybe, we’ll see a vampire. We picked up our rental car (Joyce driving of course) and began our journey [Read more …]
By Joyce, on August 31st, 2018
 Romania Next on our itinerary: Romania, another country to which this was our first visit. This “prolonged” visit was only a whole four days—not alot of time, but enough time to give us a feel for the country. Romania’s History Romania’s early history is, not too surprisingly, relatively similar to that of Bulgaria. It was [Read more …]
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