Bordered by the Târnava Mare, Hârtibaciu and Olt rivers, Transylvanian Highlands is the most attractive traditional multicultural landscape in Central Europe, where local communities proudly maintain the mosaic landscape, with well-managed villages, living mainly from selling local products and services created through the sustainable use of natural resources and of cultural values.
Discover the surprising story of the Saxon communities that came here in the Middle Ages, but also of the other ethnicities and nationalities who have lived here.
Four of the most famous medieval UNESCO sites in Romania are in Transylvanian Highlands: the fortified churches of Saschiz and Valea Viilor, Viscri rural site, as well as Biertan site (the fortified church and part of the village). Add the medieval citadel of Sighişoara, one of the main entry gates into the destination and you have a hand-ful of architectural gems to visit.
They are the most unique element of Transylvanian Highlands eco-destination, offering an image that is still alive. These villages are characterized by a specific system for cultivating the land, a special model of settlements and farmers organization, still alive since the Middle Ages.
Transylvanian Highlands are remarcable because:Colinele Transilvaniei sunt remarcabile prin doua aspecte importante:
- It is the only place in Europe where you wil find so many fortified churches (over 60) in such a narrow area
- You will find all three types of fortifications:
- church with fortified enclosure (like Cincşor, Biertan or Cârţa)
- fortified church (like Saschiz, Cloaşterf or Seliștat)
- church-fortress (like Valea Viilor or Dealu Frumos)
Transylvanian castles and mansions are the uncovered gems of the destination, still carrying the stories of more than 100 of noble families that used to live here. Hungarian, French, Croatian, Israelian or Czech, these families from the Middle Ages left behind numerous legends.
In Transylvanian Highlands you will find hundred-old castles and mansions from three of the most noble and important families of medieval Transylvania: Apafi (Mălâncrav, Dumbrăveni), Haller (Mihai Viteazu) and Bethlen (Criş).