Bran Castle

Bran-Inside

Bran-Inside

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Cluj Fortress

Fagaras Fortress 

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Iasi-Palace of Culture

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Suceava-The fortress

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BRAN. This Transylvanian village en route between Brasov and Bucharest (70 mi/113km north by northwest of Bucharest) is known for its 14th-century castle   perched atop a 197-ft/60-m peak. Known as Bran castle, it was built in 1370 as a fortress against the Turks on their way to conquer   Transylvania. Perched deep in the Carpathian Mountains in the heart of rural Romania, the fortress, known as Dracula's Castle, attracts as many as 4,000   visitors  a day from around the world. Plan to view its displays of feudal art,   weapons,   statuary, furniture and hunting trophies. 
Vlad the Impaler, the 15th century prince of Wallachia who was infamous   for impaling his enemies on spikes, often stayed at the castle. He also  is believed to have been imprisoned there for a short period. The   prince's lust for blood and his cruelty inspired fear and enduring legends among   the local Saxon settlers, who built the Bran fortress on a rocky hill  top   surrounded by thick woods and tall mountain gorges.
Vlad the Impaler is believed to be the inspiration for English writer Bram Stoker's 19th century "Dracula'' a novel that  has been the basis for numerous vampire films. The castle has undergone  extensive restoration and is in good shape. Is easiest to see by rent  a  car, as only one English- language tour goes there from Brasov each  week.   Peasants in the nearby Bran village thrive on the tourist spin-offs of  the Dracula myth, selling coarse wool sweaters depicting medieval   Romanian Prince Vlad Tepes, role model for 19th century novelist Bram Stoker's  vampire   Count. They spin yarns of Prince Tepes (The Impaler), said to have spent  some periods at the castle some 500 years ago.

CLUJ NAPOCA. Is the largest Transylvanian city (pop. 310,000, 198mi/319 km northwest of Bucharest), bisected by the Somes River. Start your tour of the town's attractions with the 14th-century St. Michael's Church, the statue of King Matthias. Museums in the city include archaeological and pharmacy museums, Banffy Palace (which doubles as an art museum), the Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania and the History Museum of Transylvania. Other sites are the Romanian State Opera, botanical gardens and a citadel. You can also visit near Cluj, a 15th- century castle in Gilau (11 mi/17km west). ; or to see the 13th-century church in Vistea.

FAGARAS. Locate din the center of Romania, (28 mi/45km west of Brasov), is now an industria l center. The fortress was built about in the XIIIth century.  Old residence  and refuge of the Wallah princes.

HUNEDOARA.  Today  an industrialized city, is a part of the Transylvanian history. Here is  the HUNIAZI castle, built in the XIXth century. It belonged to John  Hunyadi  (Iancu de Hunedoara). He was a champion of Christianity in the fight   against   the Turks. In 1453 the Christian world was shocked by the final fall of   Constantinople to the Ottomans. Hunyadi immediately began planning   another   campaign against the Turks. In 1456 Hunyadi invaded Turkish Serbia. In the Battle of Belgrade Hunyadi was killed and his army   defeated.

IASI.  The  ancient capital of Moldavia, Iasi (pop. 313,000, 200 mi/322 km northeast of Bucharest) features the 17th-century Golia Church, the 17th-century Trei Ierarhi (Three Hierarchy) Church (carved stone facade), the20th-century Palace of Culture (done in Gothic style, having several museums  inside) and County Museum with valuable historical and art displays). On the main square is a statue of Prince Alexander Ioan Cuza who managed to unite Wallachia  (the region around Bucharest) with Moldavia in 1859. 

SIBIU.  An old city (pop. 170,000, 70 mi/113 km west of Brasov) in Transylvania, with strong medieval outlook, merits a full day to see its many sights. Among them are the Icon museum, Haller house, the Evangelical church, old city-wall towers, Old Town Hall (city history museum) and 18th-century Bruckenthal Palace (museum with huge folk art collection). Visit the Museum of Folk Technology in the Dumbrava Sibiului Forest. Nature lovers can spend up to another four days in the area, taking excursions to the Olt River region (an area of beautiful wooded scenery), the Olanesti Health Spa (near Ramnicu Valcea) and the Fagaras Mountain region south of town, where hikers will find rails and huts at several altitudes.

SIGHISOARA.  The   town of Sighisoara is the best preserved European medieval Fortress. It   probably comes closest to what most visitors think an old Transylvanian   town should look like. The city is still surrounded by medieval ramparts  and the winding streets are lined with old buildings. The central clock tower has an interesting turntable, featuring a different Roman god for every day of the week. The interior of the tower is now a museum with a fascinating collection of objects from the Middle Ages (its medieval  gynecological   medical instrument exhibit is enough to make a grown woman faint).   Recently added to the exhibit are photographs and banners from local  participation in the December 1989 revolution. Just inside the walls is the home where Vlad Dracul, father of Vlad "Dracula" Tepes, lived for four years and where Dracula himself was born (the building is now a combination  restaurant/medieval   arms museum). There is also a very nice old church atop a hill within  the  old walls. Plan on stopping in Sighisoara for half a day if driving  between  Cluj and Brasov. 

SINAIA   (PELES).  Set  in the Prahova Valley (65 mi/105 km north by northwest of Bucharest) of the beautiful Sub Carpathian Mountains, this ski resort boast   s refreshingly  cool summers and relatively mild winters. Even non-skiers will want to plan a day to take the tramway to the top of the highest peak   (off-season,   it leaves in the morning and returns in late afternoon; in season, it runs more frequently). The view is spectacular, and a cold, misty wind always seems to blow. There's also hiking in the nearby Bucegi Mountains. In town, visit the Peles Castle (Romanian Royalty Residence), now a feudal art museum and 17th-century Sinaia Monastery. 

SUCEAVA. In spite of its modern appearance, Suceava (217 mi/349 km north of  Bucharest) once served as an ancient capital of Moldavia (another capital was Iasi). Of interest are the history museum, excellent Folk Art Museum (housed in a 16th-century inn) and Church of the Monastery of St. George (with excellent frescoes). In addition, some of the city's medieval fortifications are  still intact (of the bastions, the Princely Citadel is the best  surviving example). Suceava is the most common base from which to see the monasteries in the Moldavian Bucovina Mountains. 

TARGU MURES. This Transylvanian town of 151,000 (160 mi/257 km north-west of Bucharest) is the capital city of Mures County merits at least a one-night visit. Targu Mures is both industrial and sophisticated; its downtown area successfully retains its Old World charm, yet has the most  contemporary feel of any Romanian city. Among the attractions are the18th-century Bolyai Memorial House, a 14th-century citadel, the 18th-century Tholdalagi House and the Palace of Culture. At the palace, see the "Hall of   Mirrors,"  historical exhibits, a 4,700-pipe organ and wonderful stained and  painted  glass. 

Bran Castle

Bran-Inside

Bran-Inside

Bran-Inside

Cluj-Matthias Corvin

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Sighisoara medieval festival

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