The villages with fortified churches from Transylvania provide a vivid picture of the cultural, historical and architectural landscape of the southern of this region. The villages from the area keep from the Middle Ages the specific land-use system, the settlement pattern and the organization of the family farmstead units. Their fortified churches illustrate building periods from the 13th to the 16th c.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: The Black Church This Gothic cathedral is located next to the Council Square in the old part of the city of Brasov. Built between 1384-1477, this is the largest construction in Gothic style in Romania, having 89 m length and 38 m wide. Its name comes from the great fire in 1689 that provoked some serious damages and turned its walls black. The church is remarkable for its decorative elements of Renaissance and Baroque influence, a great number of statues, one of the oldest organ in our country (with 4000 tubes on 75 registers) and a very valuable collection of old oriental rugs/carpets from the 16th - 17th c.
Bran Castle Was originally a wooden fortress raised by the Knights of the Teutonic Order on the top of a cliff. The castle was built afterwards in 1378 on the same place and served as a custom check-point between Wallachia and Transylvania and also had a strategic role in protecting the pass. Nowadays, the castle is a museum and it is included in most 'Dracula' tours, as its legend was linked with the image of the ruler prince Vlad The Impaler, the inspiring figure for the Bram Stocker's Victorian novel character. In fact the castle's own towering strength, its narrow stone stairways, the relative smallness of its Lord's rooms and the cleverly authentic way it is furnished give an absorbing picture of how a noble family ruled this district in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Belonging to the larger family of fortified Saxon strongholds, Rasnov is a hilltop fort, the most representative of this kind in Romania. The Peasant Fortress at Rasnov is placed on a steep-sloped hill, partially forested, which overlooks the town from its 150 m height. It is accessible only from its eastern side. Built in stone and brick, it was erected in several stages starting with the 14th century (in 1335 it was mentioned in connection with the Tartar invasion in the Barsei country), and ending in the 17th century.
- Departure from Bucharest to Brasov (3h)
- Tour of Brasov citadel, visiting the Orthodox Cathedral, the Old City Hall Square (Piata Sfatului) and The Black Church
- Optional lunch
- Visit Bran Castle – Dracula’s castle from Bram Stoker’s novel
- Visit Rasnov Fortress
- Transfer Rasnov - Poiana Brasov
- Optional, dinner at Outlaws' Hut (Coliba Haiducilor) Restaurant in Poiana Brasov resort
- Accommodation in Casa Viorel 4* in Poiana Brasov
Day 2: Viscri is probably the only fortress in Romania protecting a church built in the 12th century which still exists. Most of the historians believe the citadel was built by the Teutonic knights, who lived inhere for fourteen years while they were residing in Tara Barsei. The style used at the building entitles them to maintain this idea as the citadel is built in square form being surrounded by protective towers. On the Southern side you still can see the traces of the old gate. The main tower has the view over the village and has 8 up to 10 m high. From the inside looking down you can actually see the foundation of the chapel built in Roman style and the ruins of a crypt probably used after the 13th century as a cellar for the prisoners.
Harman Fortress dates back from 13th century when the Saxons built the original church. Strong walls and bulwarks surrounded such a church and on its sides there were massive towers. It's Harman Church case. Little by little the population added new parts to the original church in order to make it more useful to their needs. The chorus was built in square form with a vault looking like a cross. It was surrounded by two chapels, as were Halmeag and Bartolomeu churches, indicating the influence of the Cistercian's style. The traces of this style are to be seen in the round windows (which still exist) with four lobes in the upper side. The North Chapel was rebuilt in the 15th century. Its architectural line it is very impressive. The exteriors vaults of the chapel are sculptured in stone and have at each end a human face. The South Chapel still holds its initial form. Take a close look to those three double windows designed in a semi form letter representing the transition from the Roman style to the Gothic style, later on used to rebuild the church.
Sighisoara citadel This medieval citadel, still inhabited, was built in several steps between 14th - 17th centuries. It appears as a nucleus of massive houses painted in different colors and placed on small streets, surrounded by the defense wall, 7 km length and 14 towers.
- Breakfast at Casa Viorel
- Visit Harman fortification
- On the way, passing near the ruins of Rupea fortification
- Visit Viscri fortification in Bunesti village - is probably the only fortress in Romania protecting an existing church built in the 12th century and also an UNESCO objective
- Transfer to Sighisoara (1h)
- City tour of Sighisoara citadel with The Clock Tower, The Museum of Medieval Weapons, The Covered Stairs
- Accommodation in Hotel Sighisoara 3* in Sighisoara citadel
Day 3: Sighisoara - Sibiu
- Breakfast at Hotel Sighisoara
- Transfer Sighisoara - Biertan (30’)
- Visit Biertan fortification
- Optional lunch
- Transfer Biertan – Medias
- Stop in the old city of Medias – inhabited since the prehistoric times and first recorded in the documents in 1267
- Visit at Valea Viilor Fortress
- Transfer to Valea Viilor - Sibiu (1h)
- Accommodation in Imparatul Romanilor Hotel 3* in Sibiu
Day 4: Sibiu - Bucharest
- Breakfast at Imparatul Romanilor Hotel
- City tour of Sibiu, visit to Bruckenthal Museum and the Evangelical Church
- Optional lunch
- On the way back to Bucharest, stop and visit Cozia Monastery on Olt Valley
- Arrival in Bucharest
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Car/van/bus transportation
- Accommodation in 3* hotel in double rooms on B&B basis
- English speaking guide/driver
- Entrance fees at the museums
Also see tour packages in:
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Romania
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