VTransylvania Highlights

Transylvania is home to some of Europe's best-preserved medieval towns, most not

ably Brasov, featuring Old Saxon architecture and citadel ruins; Sibiu with its
cobblestone streets and pastel-colored houses, and Sighisoara, adorned with a hi
lltop citadel, secret passageways and a 14th century clock tower. Tiny shops off
er antiques and fine hand-made products by local artisans and artists.
Visitors to Transylvania will also encounter stunning castles such Bran, near Br
asov, - a Gothic fairy-tale structure, often associated with 15th century Walach
ian Prince Vlad Tepes, the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula. While the conn
ection with Vlad is tenuous, the deep bond of local villagers with the legend is
not.
In close proximity to Brasov and Bran are the fortified churches at Harman, with
its massive 13th Saxon towers, and Prejmer, the largest fortified church in Sou
theastern Europe. The 15th-century Corvinilor Castle, the most beautiful in Tran
sylvania, located nearby Hunedoara, has a sumptuous Knights Hall
that can be use
d for functions or parties, as well as towers and buttresses reminiscent of the
medieval times.
Transylvania is the birthplace of the Unitarian Church that merged with the Univ
ersalist Church here in America in 1961 to form the present Unitarian Universali
st Association.
Transylvania's multi-ethnic heritage (including German and Hungarian ) is deligh
tfully apparent in the folk costumes, architecture, cuisine, music and festivals
.
Colorful centuries-old traditions are alive and well in the small villages of Tr
ansylvania. People here still make a living at such time-honored occupations as
shepherds, weavers, blacksmiths and carpenters.
The Apuseni Mountain range, in the western Carpathians, is a landscape of exquis
ite beauty and mystery. Here, you'll find ancient legends of mountain spirits an
d rare species of wildlife, along with 4,000 caves, many of which can be explore
d. Scarisoara Glacier, a national monument, shelters the second largest undergro
und glacier on the continent.
Places to explore in Transylvania
Some of Europe's best-preserved medieval towns: Brasov, Sibiu, Sighisoara
Bran Castle (also known as Dracula's Castle), built in 1377
Rasnov Fortress
built in the 1300s by the Teutonic Knights to protect Transylvan
ia against the Tartars and the Turks
The Saxon fortified churches at Biertan, Calnic, Harman, Darjiu, Prejmer, Saschi
z, Valea Viilor, and Viscri - all designated by UNESCO as World Heritage sites
Transylvania's finest art museum

the Bruckenthal Palace in Sibiu

Marginimea Sibiului, an area northwest of Sibiu home to more than 18 traditional

villages
The Museum of Glass-Painted Icons in Sibiel, the largest of its kind in Europe
The city of Hunedoara with its 14th-century Gothic Corvinilor Castle
The Dacian Fortresses at Sarmisegetuza (UNESCO World Heritage List)

The Moti Land (Tara Motilor) on the Ariesi Valley - moti is the name given to th
e inhabitants of this region. They live in scattered villages at altitudes up to
about 4,265 feet and have preserved their century-old traditions and lifestyle.
The Apuseni Mountains with Scarisoara and Focul Viu glaciers, Chiscau Bears' Cav
e and Vartop Cave as well as other 400 caves.
Main Museums in Transylvania
Unification Museum in Alba Iulia
Ethnographic Museum in Brasov
Art Museum in Brasov
Brasov History Museum
Weavers' Bastion Museum in Brasov
Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania in Cluj
National Art Museum in Cluj
g from the Middle Ages

collections of weaponry and Romanian paintings datin

National History Museum of Transylvania in Cluj

Skezely Museum in Miercurea Ciuc
ASTRA Museum of Traditions and Folk Art (ASTRA) in Sibiu
kshops, and churches from around the country
Bruckental Museum in Sibiu

original dwellings, wor

Transylvania's finest art museum

History Museum in Sighisoara, featuring the Torture Room

Performing Arts
Brasov: Gheorghe Dima State Philharmonic, National Opera, Puppet Theater "Arlech
ino", Sica Alexandrescu Drama Theater
Cluj: Cluj Opera, National Theater, Hungarian Theater of Cluj,
Sibiu: Radu Stanca National Theate, State Philharmonic Sibiu
Targu Mures: Philharmonic Orchestra at the Hall of Mirrors
Transylvania Outdoor Adventures & Parks
Apuseni Nature Park

caver's paradise

Gradistea Muncelului-Cioclovina Nature Park - site of the Sarmisegetuza archaeol

ogical ruins
Piatra Craiului National Park
spectacular rocky steep walls, virgin forests, and
one of the world's deepest underground abysses (Coltii Grindului shaft, - 1771
feet)
Activities

Biking, Camping, Caving, Climbing, Fishing, Hiking, Nature walks, Rafting, Skiin
g, Wildlife and Bird Watching