La región de Transilvania (Rumania central) recuerda a muchos la leyenda del Conde Drácula.
Si bien la leyenda es ciertamente intrigante, la región tiene mucho, mucho más que ofrecer.
Algunas de las ciudades medievales mejor conservadas de Europa, sobre todo Sighisoara, Brasov y Sibiu, se encuentran en Transilvania.
Los visitantes pueden maravillarse con los tesoros arquitectónicos únicos de Transilvania, como castillos, iglesias fortificadas y residencias y edificios administrativos centenarios.
mientras explora sitios donde hace más de 900 años los artesanos y comerciantes sajones establecieron poderosas y ricas ciudadelas.
A mediados del siglo XII, los colonos sajones llegaron al centro de Transilvania desde las regiones de Luxemburgo, Lorena, Mosela, Rin y Valonia (noroeste de Europa). Llamaron a su nuevo hogar 'Siebenburgen' (Septem Castra in Latin) after the seven major walled towns they have founded: Bistrița (Bistritz), Brașov (Kronstadt), Cluj-Napoca (Klausenburg), Medios (Mediasch) Sebeş (Mühlbach), Sibiu (Hermannstädt), Sighisoara (Schassburg).
Bistrița
Situado al pie de las montañas Bargau, no muy lejos del paso Borgo que conecta Transilvania con Bucovina, ciudad de Bistrita is one of the oldest in the region. Saxon colonists, who settled in the area in 1206, helped develop the town into a flourishing medieval trading post. The old town's quaint 15th and 16th century merchant houses, the remains of the 13th century fortress walls, and the town's unhurried pace have preserved some of Bistrita's once-thriving medieval atmosphere. Not to be missed attractions include: the 14th century Saxon Evangelical Church; the arcaded Sugatele row; the Silversmith's House; Coopers' Tower; and the County History Museum.
Brașov
Rodeada por los picos de los Cárpatos y resplandeciente con una arquitectura gótica, barroca y renacentista, así como una gran cantidad de atracciones históricas, Casco antiguo de Brasov, located less than three hours north of Bucharest, provides a great introduction to Transylvania region. Among Brasov's best know attractions are the Council Square, the beautiful St. Nicholas Church, the Black Church – the largest Gothic church east of Vienna – so named because of its dark walls which survived a devastating fire in 1689, and Brasov Fortress. In close proximity to Brasov are the fortified churches Harman, con sus enormes torres de defensa del siglo XIII, y Prejmer, la iglesia fortificada más grande del sudeste de Europa. Visite los numerosos sitios históricos de Brasov antes de dirigirse al oeste hacia Sibiu.
Cluj-Napoca
La ciudad más grande de Transilvania, Cluj-Napoca (Cluj para abreviar), Su origen se remonta al asentamiento dacio de Napoca en el siglo II d.C. Cluj es hoy un vibrante centro cultural y centro universitario. The main square, resplendent with 18th and 19th century buildings, is dominated by the 15th century St. Michael's Church, one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Romania. The square is also home to the 18th century baroque Banffy Palace, housing the weaponry and Romanian painting collections of the Art Museum. Visitors who want to learn more about the region should check out the open-air section of the Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania, a true display of folk architecture. Spend an enjoyable evening at the Opera or attend a classical concert offered by the Cluj State Philharmonic.
Medios
El centro medieval del antiguo asentamiento de Medios has a particular charm, with narrow winding lanes, centuries-old houses and a large pedestrian square. The fortified St. Margaret Evangelical Church, erected in the 15th century on the ruins of a Roman basilica, dominates the old town. The church, enclosed by two rows of walls and several defense towers (one of which served as prison cell for Vlad the Impaler in 1467), features three superb Gothic altarpieces, a colorful Baroque organ and some early 15th century frescoes.
Sebeş
Durante la Edad Media, Sebes was a flourishing economic and political centre. Like all Saxon medieval citadels, the town was renowned for its crafts and trade, serving from 16th to 18th century as a seat for the Transylvanian Diet. Main attractions include: the 12th century Evangelical Church; the 14th century Fortress and the 15th century Zapolya House.
Sibiu
Designada Capital Europea de la Cultura en 2007, Sibiu retains the grandeur of its earlier days when rich and powerful guilds dominated regional trade. Explore the old city center with its upper town, home to most of Sibiu's historic sites, and lower town, lined with colorful houses on cobblestone streets and bounded by imposing city walls and defense towers overlooking the river Cibin. Sibiu makes an ideal base for the exploration of the nearby countryside and villages. Located at the foothills of the Cindrel Mountains, a half-hour drive from Sibiu, is Marginimea Sibiului - a string of 18 villages, rich in architecture, history and heritage.
Sighisoara
Transilvania también alberga la encantadora ciudad de Sighisoara, una joya del siglo XV perfectamente intacta con nueve torres, pasillos estrechos y calles adoquinadas, casas burguesas e iglesias ornamentadas. Sighisoara, declarada Patrimonio de la Humanidad por la UNESCO, es también el lugar de nacimiento de Vlad Draculea, apodado Vlad el Empalador (Vlad Tepes), ruler of Walachia - southern Romania - from 1456 to 1462. It was Vlad who inspired Bram Stoker's fictional creation, Count Dracula. His house is just one of many attractions here. Others include: the Church on the Hill, with its 500-year-old frescoes; the Church of the Dominican Monastery, known for its Transylvanian Renaissance carved altarpiece, baroque painted pulpit, Oriental carpets and 17th century organ; and the Venetian House, built in the 13th century. In the nearby countryside, another UNESCO World Heritage town, 13th century Biertán , se encuentra en lo alto de una colina como una de las fortalezas medievales más grandes e impresionantes de Transilvania.
