TRANSYLVANIA, FORTIFIED CHURCHES AND THE SOUTHERN CARPATHIANS

Arrival at Bucharest Otopeni Airport. Reception by the Romanian tour guide and onward journey into the mountains.

 

Morning visit to the Black Church from Brasov. This is the largest Gothic religious building from Eastern Europe. Then you can see the town hall, as well as the Orthodox church from the old town. Then drive to Sighisoara. The city has been compared with Rothenburg several times. Here you can see the Clock Tower, the house where Dracula was born, as well as the Church on the Hill. The hike (approx. 20 min., height difference 150 m) offers  a wonderful view of the Kokeltal from above.

 

In the morning drive to Medias. City tour with a visit to the Margaret Church from the old town. Here you can see the largest winged altar in Romania. It was founded in the 15th century erected and painted by a master of the Vienna Schottenstift school. The church's trumpet tower, which is 68.5 meters high, is also an important sight. At noon, drive towards Valea Viilor. From the main road that connects Sibiu with Medias, you can take an easy hike (approx. 60 minutes, height difference 100 m) to Valea Viilor (wormhole). The community, which was founded by German colonists in 1305, was a purely Saxon wine-growing community for centuries. Here you are expected with a good lunch in the former parsonage. In the afternoon you can visit the fortified church. This was built in 1359 and has a beautiful, carved and painted sacramental choir stalls. The Bering is formed by a 6-7 m high wall and has protected the villagers from the raids of the Turks for centuries. If desired, you can also take a short hike (approx. 60 minutes, height difference 200 m) up in the valley to Motis. Here you can also see the fortified church from 1319. In the evening drive back to Bazna. 

 

Morning tour of Bazna  to visit the most important sights. The community, which was founded by German colonists in 1359, was known for centuries for its hard-working wine growers and ranchers. The fortified church is located on a mountain nose above the village. Stairs lead up to the gate tower. The evangelical hall church without a tower has a beautiful sacrament house in the choir. The village is known for its iodine-bromine salt springs. These have been used for healing purposes since 1842. At noon ride by horse drawn carriage  to Boian . This was founded in 1309 by German colonists and was given in 1498 by King Matthias to the Moldavian Prince Stefan the Great as a layman. The ox-head coats of arms of the Moldova at the Saxon fortified church come from this time. This has a covered battlement, Fruit chambers, as well as box-like cast oriels. It is an imposing fortified church with balanced, proportional shapes. Lunch is served at a farmer's home. Back to Bazna in the evening.

 

In the morning drive to the reservoir dam of the Gura Raului, located southeast of Medias. From here you can go on a hike (approx. 60 minutes, height difference 150 m) to the small village of Nemsa. This was founded in 1359 by German colonists. For centuries it was the center of Saxon pottery and pottery from Transylvania. Here, light blue, stylized plant ornaments were painted on a light or dark background, on plates, jugs and pots. From here, 2 km away, is the large community of Mosna. Lunch in the former rectory. Afternoon tour of the village that was founded in 1283. The long hall of the church is made up of three naves of equal height. The 10 m high sacrament house rises next to the sacristy door frame. In the village you can also visit the Romanian church.

 

In the morning drive to Saros on Tarnave. From here a hike (approx. 90 min., Difference in altitude 200 m) through the side valley of the Biertan brook to the market town of Biertan . The community, which was founded by German colonists in 1293, had the weekly market right (Saturday market) and the annual market right, which was confirmed again in 1418 by King Sigismund. The village was the bishop's seat of the Transylvanian regional church until 1867. Lunch at the parsonage (which has now been converted into a youth hostel). In the afternoon the fortified church is visited. It is one of the most beautiful and best preserved fortifications in Transylvania. The inner ring with three towers is covered by a second wall ring from the 15th century. been reinforced. The center of the fortified church is the three-aisled, late Gothic hall church with star-net vault and three octagonal pairs of pillars. The sacristy door (1515), which is decorated with the finest inlays, and its ornate lock are also a special ornament. A wine tasting will then be organized in the Biertan winery. In the evening drive back to Bazna.

 

Morning drive to Sibiu. City tour in Sibiu with a visit to the Great and Small ring, the Bridge of Lies, as well as the Evangelical Cathedral, the current seat of the Romanian bishops. Afterwards lunch at Restaurant ”Sibiul Vechi”. In the afternoon drive to Bran to visit the castle. This is also known as Dracula Castle. In the evening after the hike (approx. 60 min., Difference in altitude 200 m) up the mountain, there is a festive meal in the Restaurant “Cabana 3 Brazi”.

 

Morning visit to the Sinaia Monastery (16th century). This was founded by monks from the Sinai Peninsula. These later gave the city its name. Then drive towards the capital of Romania. Then city tour in Bucharest with a visit to the Palace of the Parliament (second largest building in the world after the Pentagon), the Patriarchal Church (seat of the Orthodox Chief from Romania), as well as the Village Museum. In the afternoon transfer to the airport, farewell to the Romanian tour guide and flight home.

 

At least people	5 pax	10 pax	15 pax	20 pax	25 pax
Price per person (DR / HB)	580 €	460 €	420 €	400 €	385 €
Single room surcharge	80 €	80 €	80 €	80 €	80 €

• 7 nights;