{"id":1791,"date":"2013-05-02T23:49:38","date_gmt":"2013-05-02T15:49:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/?p=1791"},"modified":"2017-03-10T17:33:55","modified_gmt":"2017-03-10T09:33:55","slug":"transylvania-of-medieval-cultures-and-scenic-sights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/transylvania-of-medieval-cultures-and-scenic-sights\/","title":{"rendered":"Transylvania: of medieval cultures and scenic sights"},"content":{"rendered":"
I have an\u00a0unexplained\u00a0love for Romania. Maybe because it\u2019s the birthplace of the great Nadia Comenaci, whom I used to worship a great deal. She put the tiny European country on the world map for me.<\/p>\n
Of course, before the powerful tiny gymnast ever came into existence, Romania was known for the infamous Transylvania, the setting of Bram Stoker\u2019s Dracula. It helps that the region sets the perfect scene- flourishing medieval castles and towns with scattered dark forests and framed by snowy peaks of the Transylvanian Alps in the distance.<\/p>\n
Transylvania\u2019s diverse background gives rise to a melting pot of cultures. Rich in myth and history, a visit to Transylvania is enough to quench your thirst for all things medieval. There are around 100 castles and fortresses found here, some of which are the country\u2019s greatest collection of preserved castles and fortresses. Curious travellers can also satiate their sense of adventure with small villages of old houses filled with character.<\/p>\n
Wrapped by the Carpathian Mountains, a trip here can also include hiking and climbing activities, ending with a walk through one of the national parks.<\/p>\n
Bran Castle<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n I\u2019m not sure if there are people crazy enough to visit Transylvania just to see the castle where Vlad the Impaler calls home; but I do know it\u2019s insane to actually be here and not visit. A national monument and landmark in Romania, the castle fortress divides the regions of Transylvania and Wallachia.<\/p>\n From nearby Brasov, it takes a 45-minute scenic ride on board the bus from Autogara 2 to reach the castle. \u00a0Coated with a veil of mystery and mystic, the Bran Castle makes a beautifully haunting sight. While its exterior is captivating, Bran Castle\u2019s interior isn’t. Unlike preserved castles you\u2019re accustomed to in Western Europe, there are no opulent decoration or sprawling furnished rooms in Bran. In fact, the rooms are mostly bare. The entry fee may be only 5 Euros; you might just want to save the moolah and be content with exploring its grounds and capture the castle from different angles.<\/p>\n Tip<\/strong><\/em>: if you choose to enter the castle, go up to the watch tower to soak in the views. The center of the castle has a quaint courtyard with an old-fashioned well that makes a charming sight.<\/p>\n Scenic Sibiu<\/b><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n An important Romanian cultural center, Sibiu was a designated European Capital of Culture in 2007, along with Luxembourg. Sibiu has Romania\u2019s largest German community, adding to the town\u2019s distinct medieval appeal, with sweeping landscapes and striking parkland.<\/p>\n The Old Town is the main highlight, with buildings peppered with German influences of the Middle Ages, labyrinthine streets, corner cafes and old-world churches. Centuries may pass but these structures remain in good condition. Split into two parts, the Upper Town houses most of the town\u2019s historic sights, while Lower Town is where you\u2019ll find cobbled squares and quaint cottages.<\/p>\n The Citadal of Sibiu was one of the best fortified fortresses in Europe in the Middle Ages, and remains well preserved today. Visit the towers and bastions while you\u2019re there, and especially the Stairs Passage, connecting the upper and lower part of the citadel. If you can afford to splurge a little, dine at the Golden Barrel (Butoiul de Aur), <\/i>resting at the end of the Stairs Passage. It\u2019s Romania\u2019s oldest known restaurant.<\/p>\n The Huet Square breathes a heavy German influence, with a blend of Gothic buildings, anchored by the Evangelical Cathedral, a five-pointed structure built in 1520. The inside of the cathedral features a gigantic mural in renaissance style. There\u2019s also a fan-vaulted ceiling on the south side, with the highlight being a baroque organ designed in 1671.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Over at the Great Square, you can find the Brukenthal Palace turned museum, widely considered Romania\u2019s second best. Here\u2019s where you\u2019ll find an extensive art collection of over 1000 paintings.<\/p>\n For something a little different, head to the outskirts of Sibiu. There\u2019s the “ASTRA” Museum of Traditional Folk Civilization, one of Europe\u2019s biggest open air museums in Europe, with outdoor exhibits\u00a0complemented with\u00a0the gorgeous backdrop of the mountains.<\/p>\n Brasov <\/a><\/p>\n At the mountain resort city of Brasov, there is a stunning mix of mountain scenery with medieval history in the old town. The main square in this German-influenced town features buildings of varied architectural style. The pedestrian-only Republicii Street is lined with restaurants with outdoor terraces for an idyllic meal amidst a surreal setting. Nearby are several structures of note, like the Black Church, the Orthodox Cathedral and the town museum, each showcasing a different slice of Brasov history and culture, after which you\u2019ll be well versed in the story of the town and its beginnings.<\/p>\n Dacian Fortresses of the Orastie Mountains<\/b><\/p>\n
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