Transilvania
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 271.06 mi
- Elevation gain
- 10,318 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Difficult
- Elevation loss
- 10,801 ft
- Max elevation
- 2,684 ft
- TrailRank
- 50
- Min elevation
- 969 ft
- Trail type
- One Way
- Time
- 5 days 9 hours 19 minutes
- Coordinates
- 6557
- Uploaded
- September 24, 2020
- Recorded
- August 2014
near Braşov, Braşov (România)
Viewed 508 times, downloaded 8 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
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Transylvania is a region of rare beauty and shrouded in mystery at the foot of the Carpathians, characterized by a beautiful natural landscape and some of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe. Throughout its history, Transylvania has also been inhabited by Magyars, Germans, Jews who have left a strong architectural, cultural and gastronomic heritage.
We start from Brasow, the main city of Transylvania for cultural and commercial importance and is located almost in the center of Romania, 170 kilometers from Bucharest. Founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1211 and fortified by the Saxons, the city is a maze of narrow streets, Baroque facades and Gothic spiers. The picturesque medieval citadel is surrounded by walls built in the 15th century, 12 meters high, 3 kilometers long and with 7 bastions, and here is the Black Church, the largest Gothic church in Romania, the Strada Rope or Sforii, the most narrow of Europe that connects via Cerbului with via Poarta Schei, the Cathedral of San Nicola and the beautiful Piazza del Municipio, or Piata Sfatului, surrounded by baroque structures and merchant houses with the old administrative building in the center which dates back to 1420 and today houses the county history museum
We leave Brasow on state 11 which we follow up to the crossroads for Harman where the first fortified evangelical church of the tour is located; from the main road turn left towards Bod. Here we continue to Halchiu and then follow the signs towards Bran / Zamesti. In Vulcan we continue straight and at the entrance to Zamesti we turn left towards Bran where the Castle of Dracula stands. Mysterious and evocative also thanks to its gothic architecture, high towers and white walls, it was built in the 15th century in a dominant position over the village. We then continue towards Predeulet and, on a beautiful dirt road, we pass the Bucegi mountains (815 m) and we arrive at Zamesti.
From Zamesti we take road 73 ° towards Sinca. A beautiful road that climbs the Fagaras mountains between woods and meadows and touches Poliana Marului, Sinca Noua, from where a detour takes us to the Monastery, and Sinca Veche where we visit the Monastery built in a cave (road on the left 3 km uphill) . Leaving Sinca Vecha new short detour in the village of Ohaba to visit the old restored mill. We return to the main road that leads us to Sercaita, Bucium, Margineni and. at the entrance to Sebes we turn right towards Fagaras; we cross Harseni, Ileni and the degraded and poor suburbs of Fagaras. The city center, on the other hand, is well maintained and dominated by the 14th century fortress.
We leave Fagaras to the north, skirt the fortress and cross the Olt river on the 104d road which crosses the mountains (600m) and leads to Soars. We do not enter Soars but continue north on 105a and cross the hill (615 m) reaching Valeni where we find a comfortable bar-emporium. We continue on the paved road and cross Lovnic, Jibert and Dacia, typical rural villages that develop along the main road. At the junction for Dacia we go left along a dirt road that leads us to Viscri, considered one of the most interesting and best preserved villages and declared a World Heritage Site for its 12th century fortified church.
Instead of retracing our steps, we decide to take an alternative route to the one indicated but with surprise! From Viscri we continue west, we reach Bunesti and take the busy state road 13 towards Saschiz following it for just under 3 km. We leave the road for Crit and, as soon as we enter the village, we turn left to Mesendorf where there is another interesting fortified church. Here we have the surprise: the road to Granari, marked on the map, passes the village and… ends in a wood. The path is barely recognizable and we continue on the ridge of the hill to Granari where the road (just asphalted) resumes and takes us back to 105a, to the village of Valeni and then to Soars. We enter the town and take the dirt road 101d to the right towards Retis; here the road becomes asphalted and leads us to Bradeni where we find a beautiful fortified church from the 14th century. We take road 106 towards the north and cross Apold dominated by the characteristic fortified church of the 12th and 14th centuries built in a strategic position on top of a hill. We continue to Saes and then Sighisoara.
Sighișoara, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, is the most romantic city in Romania thanks to its pretty medieval village, characteristic squares and ancient walls. Founded by the Saxons at the end of the 12th century, Sighișoara reached its peak in the 15th century when it became a free city. This architectural gem has 9 of the original 14 towers, mighty ramparts, medieval houses and a magical set of winding cobbled streets, steep stairways, secluded squares and an enchanting perfectly preserved citadel. At the entrance to the Citadel is the Clock or Council Tower as it housed the city assemblies, dates back to the 13th century and boasts an interesting carillon and a ceramic roof. In via Tin at number 1, between the citadel square and the clock tower, is the House of Vlad Dracul where Vlad Tepes, Prince of Wallachia known as the impaler. was born in 1431 and lived with his father, Vlad Dracul until 1435 when they moved to Targoviste. Also of interest are the late Gothic church of the Dominican Monastery and the Gothic church on the hill, or Biserica din Deal reached by a wood-paneled staircase, known as the Scholars' Staircase.
From Sighisoara in order not to travel along the busy state road 14 we took the train with bicycle transport to Dumbraveni and from here we reached Biertan. Declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1993, the architectural complex of Biertan not only has a high aesthetic value but has preserved in an exceptional way the core of the 15th - 16th century. Three concentric levels of defensive walls 35 meters high, connected by seven towers and gates (we point out the Clock Tower, the bell tower and the Torre dei Vescovi), surround the complex and make the church a true stronghold. The three-nave church was built between 1495 and 1516 in a late Gothic style with Renaissance and Baroque elements and boasts the largest wooden altar in Transylvania.
From Biertan we continue towards Richis climbing to the 600 m of the pass and then take the road to the right and descend to Mosna and then to Medias.
Mediaş has a well-preserved historic center of medieval origin, with numerous towers that referred to the different guilds, the highest of which is the trumpeter's tower, 70 meters high, built in the 13th century and raised several times in the following centuries. Noteworthy is the church of Santa Margherita, the first church in the city built between 1414 and 1488 with an interesting interior and a precious dossal.
We return to Mosna and visit the fortified church from 1385, then continue south to Polisor and then Barghis with a 17th century church. We turn right towards Ighisu Vechi and continue among gentle hills towards the south through the villages of Altana, Nocrich (we make a small detour to see the Romanesque portal of the church of Hosman), then Curcatel. One last climb at 530 m and we arrive in Sibiu.
Sibiu is one of the most beautiful and touristic cities in Romania thanks to its particular and unique architectural heritage. Founded in 1190 by the Saxons on an ancient Roman settlement, called “Cibium”, in the Transylvania Region, Sibiu was the richest of the 7 walled citadels and was located along the trade route between East and West. Divided into the Upper Town and the Lower Town, the historic center of Sibiu has narrow and steep streets overlooked by 17th century buildings with characteristic gable roofs, vast squares and defense towers. In the Upper Town there are 3 squares: the Piata Mare, or Piazza Grande, with the Roman-Catholic Baroque church, the 13th century Council Tower and the late Baroque-style Palazzo Brukenthal, the Small Square, or Piata Mica, flanked by shops and cafes, and Piaaza Huet where there are several Gothic buildings and the Evangelical Cathedral in Gothic style and dating from the fourteenth century. The Lower Town is more rustic and is connected at the top by the Bridge of Lies, the first wrought iron bridge in Romania.
We start from Brasow, the main city of Transylvania for cultural and commercial importance and is located almost in the center of Romania, 170 kilometers from Bucharest. Founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1211 and fortified by the Saxons, the city is a maze of narrow streets, Baroque facades and Gothic spiers. The picturesque medieval citadel is surrounded by walls built in the 15th century, 12 meters high, 3 kilometers long and with 7 bastions, and here is the Black Church, the largest Gothic church in Romania, the Strada Rope or Sforii, the most narrow of Europe that connects via Cerbului with via Poarta Schei, the Cathedral of San Nicola and the beautiful Piazza del Municipio, or Piata Sfatului, surrounded by baroque structures and merchant houses with the old administrative building in the center which dates back to 1420 and today houses the county history museum
We leave Brasow on state 11 which we follow up to the crossroads for Harman where the first fortified evangelical church of the tour is located; from the main road turn left towards Bod. Here we continue to Halchiu and then follow the signs towards Bran / Zamesti. In Vulcan we continue straight and at the entrance to Zamesti we turn left towards Bran where the Castle of Dracula stands. Mysterious and evocative also thanks to its gothic architecture, high towers and white walls, it was built in the 15th century in a dominant position over the village. We then continue towards Predeulet and, on a beautiful dirt road, we pass the Bucegi mountains (815 m) and we arrive at Zamesti.
From Zamesti we take road 73 ° towards Sinca. A beautiful road that climbs the Fagaras mountains between woods and meadows and touches Poliana Marului, Sinca Noua, from where a detour takes us to the Monastery, and Sinca Veche where we visit the Monastery built in a cave (road on the left 3 km uphill) . Leaving Sinca Vecha new short detour in the village of Ohaba to visit the old restored mill. We return to the main road that leads us to Sercaita, Bucium, Margineni and. at the entrance to Sebes we turn right towards Fagaras; we cross Harseni, Ileni and the degraded and poor suburbs of Fagaras. The city center, on the other hand, is well maintained and dominated by the 14th century fortress.
We leave Fagaras to the north, skirt the fortress and cross the Olt river on the 104d road which crosses the mountains (600m) and leads to Soars. We do not enter Soars but continue north on 105a and cross the hill (615 m) reaching Valeni where we find a comfortable bar-emporium. We continue on the paved road and cross Lovnic, Jibert and Dacia, typical rural villages that develop along the main road. At the junction for Dacia we go left along a dirt road that leads us to Viscri, considered one of the most interesting and best preserved villages and declared a World Heritage Site for its 12th century fortified church.
Instead of retracing our steps, we decide to take an alternative route to the one indicated but with surprise! From Viscri we continue west, we reach Bunesti and take the busy state road 13 towards Saschiz following it for just under 3 km. We leave the road for Crit and, as soon as we enter the village, we turn left to Mesendorf where there is another interesting fortified church. Here we have the surprise: the road to Granari, marked on the map, passes the village and… ends in a wood. The path is barely recognizable and we continue on the ridge of the hill to Granari where the road (just asphalted) resumes and takes us back to 105a, to the village of Valeni and then to Soars. We enter the town and take the dirt road 101d to the right towards Retis; here the road becomes asphalted and leads us to Bradeni where we find a beautiful fortified church from the 14th century. We take road 106 towards the north and cross Apold dominated by the characteristic fortified church of the 12th and 14th centuries built in a strategic position on top of a hill. We continue to Saes and then Sighisoara.
Sighișoara, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, is the most romantic city in Romania thanks to its pretty medieval village, characteristic squares and ancient walls. Founded by the Saxons at the end of the 12th century, Sighișoara reached its peak in the 15th century when it became a free city. This architectural gem has 9 of the original 14 towers, mighty ramparts, medieval houses and a magical set of winding cobbled streets, steep stairways, secluded squares and an enchanting perfectly preserved citadel. At the entrance to the Citadel is the Clock or Council Tower as it housed the city assemblies, dates back to the 13th century and boasts an interesting carillon and a ceramic roof. In via Tin at number 1, between the citadel square and the clock tower, is the House of Vlad Dracul where Vlad Tepes, Prince of Wallachia known as the impaler. was born in 1431 and lived with his father, Vlad Dracul until 1435 when they moved to Targoviste. Also of interest are the late Gothic church of the Dominican Monastery and the Gothic church on the hill, or Biserica din Deal reached by a wood-paneled staircase, known as the Scholars' Staircase.
From Sighisoara in order not to travel along the busy state road 14 we took the train with bicycle transport to Dumbraveni and from here we reached Biertan. Declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1993, the architectural complex of Biertan not only has a high aesthetic value but has preserved in an exceptional way the core of the 15th - 16th century. Three concentric levels of defensive walls 35 meters high, connected by seven towers and gates (we point out the Clock Tower, the bell tower and the Torre dei Vescovi), surround the complex and make the church a true stronghold. The three-nave church was built between 1495 and 1516 in a late Gothic style with Renaissance and Baroque elements and boasts the largest wooden altar in Transylvania.
From Biertan we continue towards Richis climbing to the 600 m of the pass and then take the road to the right and descend to Mosna and then to Medias.
Mediaş has a well-preserved historic center of medieval origin, with numerous towers that referred to the different guilds, the highest of which is the trumpeter's tower, 70 meters high, built in the 13th century and raised several times in the following centuries. Noteworthy is the church of Santa Margherita, the first church in the city built between 1414 and 1488 with an interesting interior and a precious dossal.
We return to Mosna and visit the fortified church from 1385, then continue south to Polisor and then Barghis with a 17th century church. We turn right towards Ighisu Vechi and continue among gentle hills towards the south through the villages of Altana, Nocrich (we make a small detour to see the Romanesque portal of the church of Hosman), then Curcatel. One last climb at 530 m and we arrive in Sibiu.
Sibiu is one of the most beautiful and touristic cities in Romania thanks to its particular and unique architectural heritage. Founded in 1190 by the Saxons on an ancient Roman settlement, called “Cibium”, in the Transylvania Region, Sibiu was the richest of the 7 walled citadels and was located along the trade route between East and West. Divided into the Upper Town and the Lower Town, the historic center of Sibiu has narrow and steep streets overlooked by 17th century buildings with characteristic gable roofs, vast squares and defense towers. In the Upper Town there are 3 squares: the Piata Mare, or Piazza Grande, with the Roman-Catholic Baroque church, the 13th century Council Tower and the late Baroque-style Palazzo Brukenthal, the Small Square, or Piata Mica, flanked by shops and cafes, and Piaaza Huet where there are several Gothic buildings and the Evangelical Cathedral in Gothic style and dating from the fourteenth century. The Lower Town is more rustic and is connected at the top by the Bridge of Lies, the first wrought iron bridge in Romania.
Waypoints
Mountain hut
Provisioning
Waypoint
1,565 ft
Dacia
27-AGO-14 12:46:17
Religious site
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