Sighişoara is one of the best-preserved inhabited citadels in Europe. The town is infamous for being the birthplace of Vlad Dracula, also known as Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler), the 15th-century ruler of Wallachia and the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Count Dracula. Look inside Tepes’ home and see the city’s burgher houses, historic towers and lavish churches.
Climb to the top of the city’s Clock Tower and admire beautiful views over the Old Town and Tarnava Mare Valley. Examine the tower’s ornate two-plate clock, decorated with 3-inch-tall (80-centimeter) figurines representing Peace, Law and Justice, as well as pagan gods related to each of the seven weekdays.
Tickets to the Clock Tower and its compact History Museum also include admission to the Weapons Collection on the first floor of the Vlad Dracul House. Browse this interesting exhibit of medieval weapons. Vlad Tepes is said to have been born in this house in 1431 and lived here until the age of 4. Enjoy a meal at the ground-floor restaurant and ask to view Vlad’s old room.
Hike up the 1,370-foot (420-meter) School Hill to visit the striking Church on the Hill, which features some of Transylvania’s most representative Gothic structures. Inside the church are 500-year-old frescoes and a 16th-century altarpiece. Look for an unusual archway fresco, which depicts the Holy Trinity as a three-faced entity with the Holy Ghost female. Venture into the eerie crypt below the church and walk around the haunting Saxon cemetery located opposite the church.
Consider planning your trip to Sighişoara for late July to experience the city’s Festival of Medieval Arts and Crafts. This energetic 4-day event features numerous open-air concerts, traditional ceremonies, costume parades and craft displays, all designed to recreate the atmosphere of the city’s medieval period.
Sighişoara is well connected by train to Braşov, Bucharest, Budapest, Prague and Vienna. The train station is about 0.6 mile (1 kilometer) away from the Old City. Experience the historic charms and haunting legends of intriguing Sighişoara.
