“In much knowledge there is also much grief.” - Marie of Romania
Sighișoara is a city on the Târnava Mare River in Mureș County, central Romania. Located in the historic region of Transylvania, Sighișoara had a population of 23,927 according to the 2021 census. It is a popular tourist destination for its well-preserved old town, which is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1999. The town administers seven villages: Angofa, Aurel Vlaicu, Hetiur, Rora, Șoromiclea, Venchi, and Viilor.
Notable attractions are: The Clock Tower (Turnul cu Ceas) is the town's iconic landmark, standing 64 metres tall. It features a clock with wooden figurines that change at midnight and offers a 360-degree panoramic view from its top. Vlad Dracul House: The birthplace of Vlad the Impaler (the historical inspiration for Dracula). It is the oldest civil stone building in the city, now housing a museum and restaurant. The Covered Stairway: A 17th-century wooden staircase with 176 steps leading up to the Church on the Hill. Church on the Hill (Biserica din Deal): A Gothic church located at the citadel's highest point, known for its well-preserved 500-year-old frescoes.
Guild Towers: Nine of the original 14 defensive towers survive, each named after the craft guild responsible for it (e.g., Tailors’ Tower, Tinsmiths’ Tower). The Sighișoara Medieval Festival in late July transforms the town filling it with knights, people in period costumes, live music, and markets.
