Sighisoara is located in the Carpathian Mountains of the Transylvania region, in the heart of Romania, about 70 km from the Jidvei wine cellars that I visited earlier.
This citadel founded in the 12th century is one of the most beautiful in Europe.
Sighisoara is a jewel of medieval architecture with its cobbled streets, colourful houses and towers.
The heart of Sighisoara is its impressive citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The dominant feature of this extraordinary ensemble is the Clock Tower, which dates back to the 14th century.
With its height of 64 m, it can be seen from any part of the town and is the main entrance to the citadel.
It has two clocks with figures that change every day of the week.
The tower houses the History Museum and a viewing platform with a spectacular panorama of the city.
A great attraction of the city is the House of Dracula.
Yes, Sighisoara is the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the historical figure who inspired the myth of Dracula.
The yellow house is the oldest civil construction in the city and it is here that the Romanian prince was born in 1431.
The house, which can be visited, has a restaurant at the back called, of course, Casa Vlad Dracul.
An architectural curiosity is the Venetian House. It is a green-coloured house opposite Dracula's house.
It dates back to the 16th century and owes its name to the window frames that imitate those of the Venetian Gothic style Doge's Palace in Venice.
The Citadel Square is a meeting place for tourists and locals alike.
Especially in summer when it is full of terraces where everyone can enjoy the traditional food and atmosphere of the city.
The Church of the Dominican Monastery is located in the central part of the city.
It was built in the 13th century and inside there are a number of valuable heritage objects. At the end of the 15th century, the building was rebuilt in Gothic style.
The House with Deer is located on the square and owes its name to the two deer painted on the façade.
The deer, depicted in mirror image, actually have a single head protruding from the wall, creating an optical effect.
It now houses the headquarters of the Romanian-German cultural centre, a guesthouse, a restaurant and a café.
Near the church of the Dominican monastery is the Sighisoara Town Hall.
As you can see, this historical monument built in the 19th century has a different appearance from the other buildings.
The Schoolboys' Staircase, a unique building of its kind in Transylvania, was built in 1642.
It connected the lower part of the citadel with the upper part, where the school was located.
The staircase consisted of 300 steps protected by a wooden roof to protect the children from the weather.
Since 1849, after some modifications, only 175 steps remain.
The schoolchildren's staircase leads to the School on the Hill, which was built in the 17th century.
Over the years other buildings were added to form what is now a secondary school.
The Church on the Hill is also located in the highest part of the town.
It was built in several stages between the 14th and 16th centuries in Gothic style, based on a Romanesque chapel dating from 1200.
It is considered the most important architectural monument in the city of Sighisoara.
The Saxon Cemetery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a peaceful place with graves dating back to the 18th century, surrounded by trees and greenery.
The Guild Towers are the most peculiar architectural element of the city.
Sighisoara is surrounded by a wall, which reaches a height of 14 m in some places.
It was built around the 14th century to protect the city from Turkish attacks.
In addition to the wall, 14 defensive towers were built, each bearing the name of the guild that had financed its construction.
Of the 14 originally built, 9 are still standing, including the Clock Tower.
The others are the Towers of the Tinsmiths, the Shoemakers, the Tailors, the Blacksmiths, the Cordwainers, the Butchers, the Furriers and the Tanners.
From its fascinating history to its charming streets, this town has something for everyone.
Even for those looking for wine-growing areas and wineries, like me.
It could be an excellent addition to a wine tourism tour.
All that remains is to discover one of the few medieval citadels in Europe that is still inhabited.
