From the moment you enter Sighişoara's fortified walls, wending your way along cobblestones to its central square, the town burns itself into your memory. It's like stepping into a kid's fairy tale, the narrow streets aglow with lustrously coloured 16th-century houses, their gingerbread roofs tumbling down to pretty cafes. Horror fans won't be disappointed either, for this Unesco-protected citadel was reputedly the birthplace of one of history's great 'monsters' – Vlad Ţepeş (The Impaler).
Most sights are clustered in the magical, medieval Citadel perched on a hillock and fortified with a 14th-century wall (to which 14 towers and five artillery bastions were later added).
Clock TowerMUSEUM
The symbol of the town is this magnificent medieval clock tower, built in the 14th century and expanded 200 years later. It originally housed the town council, but these days it's purely decorative. The clock and figurines were added in the 17th century. The figurines represent different medieval characters, including Peace, Justice and Law, as well as those representing Day and Night.
The tower houses a history museum, which affords access to the viewing platform on the upper floor. The museum is hard to follow (English signage is spotty), but there's a small exhibition on local hero and physicist Hermann Oberth. A couple floors up you can see the clock’s famed figures, as well as the clanking innards of the clock behind them.
The tower houses a history museum, which affords access to the viewing platform on the upper floor. The museum is hard to follow (English signage is spotty), but there's a small exhibition on local hero and physicist Hermann Oberth. A couple floors up you can see the clock’s famed figures, as well as the clanking innards of the clock behind them.
Casa DraculaHISTORIC BUILDING
Vlad Ţepeş (aka Dracula) was reputedly born in this house in 1431 and lived here until the age of four. It's now a decent restaurant, but for a small admission, the staff will show you Vlad's old room (and give you a little scare). Bubble-burster: the building is indeed centuries old, but has been completely rebuilt since Vlad's days.
Church on the HillCHURCH
A powerfully evocative late-Gothic church is situated high atop 'School Hill' (420m) and is well worth the hike up here to see the restored interior, with remains of frescoes dating back to the 15th century. The period altarpiece dates from 1520. Entry is via a scara acoperită (covered wooden stairway). Opposite the church is a historic German cemetery (open daily from 8am to 8pm).
BUS
Next to the train station on Str Libertăţii, the bus station (Autogari Sighisoara; www.autogari.ro) sends buses around the country, including to Cluj-Napoca (30 lei, three hours) and Braşov (25 lei, two hours).
TRAIN
Sighişoara is on a main international line and has good train connections. Popular destinations include Braşov (41 lei, two hours), Bucharest (69 lei, five hours) and Cluj-Napoca (62 lei, four hours). You’ll need to change trains in Mediaş to reach Sibiu (26 lei, four hours). Three daily trains go to Budapest (150 lei, 11 hours). Buy tickets at the train station (www.cfrcalatori.ro).
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