Transylvania top 10

I noticed many people ask about things to see in Transylvania. While Transylvania is a rich piece of land, both from historic point of view and from that of the natural landscape, I will try to shortly describe the most interesting places in Transylvania. Here would be my top 10 :

1) Sighişoara - first attested in documents in 1291, Castrum Seg or Castrum Sex how it was called at that time (meaning the town on the hill) is Europe's only medieval fortress continuously inhabited until now. At the same time it is, in my opinion, Romania's most representative place to go if you're keen about middle-ages. OK, and it is Vlad III Dracula's birth place, but not only for this it deserves a visit. Did I mention that the Historic Centre of Sighişoara is part of UNESCO World heritage ?

2) Apuseni Mountains - a world apart. A world of caves and rocky formations, of glaciers in caves and unique plants. Here we can find the "Arnica montana", medicinal plant frequently used by professional athletes.

The natural park of Apuseni shelters Romania's biggest glacier, Scărişoara, but also an ancient lifestyle. Interesting places in Apuseni include Cetăţile Ponorului, Galbena Gorge, Glavoi, Râmeţi Gorge.

3) Sibiu old town - Sibiu was one of the important towns even since the middle ages, due to it's position in the center of Transylvania. Nowadays the tows was heavily restored for being European Capital of Culture in 2007.

4) Astra Museum in Sibiu - the museum of traditional civilization is, according to my knowledge, Europe's biggest open air museum. It shelters traditional households from all parts of the country and people is very polite, explaining the tools and the lifestyle of the inhabitants. Allow one full day to visit it.

5) Wooden churches in Maramureş. Included in UNESCO world heritage as outstanding example of vernacular architecture the churches are not only a worth visit for themselves but also for admiring Maramureş county, with its lifestyle, costumes and traditions.

6) Râşnov Fortress. Build on top of a heavily accessible hill, Râşnov is one of the best preserved medieval fortifications in central Europe. By the time I took this picture (April 2010) the fortress was not open to public due to a conflict between the Italian guy who took it under concession and the municipality of Râşnov, upon some restoration work done. Now the fortress is again open for visits. Although in a top of castles and fortifications in Romania I placed it second after Cisnădioara, I must admit that Cisnădioara is just a

7) Făgăraş Mountains. They offer impressive views and a real alpine landscape. Hiking Făgăraş mountains is an experience that takes place most of the time higher than 2000 m above sea level, and is an experience that can include moody weather, so I recommend caution. During winter it becomes really tough and dangerous, go during summer time for a relaxing holiday. The effort is fully rewarded by the landscapes encountered.

8) Bran Castle. Strongly perceived as Dracula Castle, Bran is just a border castle erected in XIII-th century. It belonged to inhabitants of Braşov and used for defending. Vlad III Dracula eventually only spent one night here, while attacking the people of Braşov for sheltering a political rival.

9) Braşov old town.Braşov is now a modern city in center of Romania, but it used to play an important role in Transylvania, since late middle ages.

10) Hunedoara Castle. Very well preserved and very impressive, Corvin Castle (as it is also known) was first belonging Voice of Hunedoara, as a donation from Hungarian King. Than it was the castle of Iancu of Hunedoara (a.k.a. John Huniady) (between 1419 and 1456).