TREASURES OF TRANSYLVANIA
The Transylvanian Saxons were first invited to settle in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains by the Hungarian Crown in the 13th century. When the Ottomans began to menace the Austro-Hungarian Empire, these German-speaking artisans, farmers and merchants lacked the required resources to fortify entire settlements. Instead, they reacted to the prospect of lengthy besiegement by erecting fortresses around their existing churches.
Our tour to present-day Romania will feature visits to a handful of these fortified structures, including the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Prejmer, where the early Gothic Church of the Holy Cross was walled in the 15th century; Biertan, with its late Gothic complex dating from circa 1522; and Valea Viilor, where defensive storeys were built above the choir, nave and tower in the 16th century.
The walled town of Sighisoara, dominated by a hill overlooking a bend in the River Tirnava, is another superb reminder of the architectural ingenuity of the Transylvanian Saxons. The narrow streets have conserved much of the town’s mediaeval fabric: not just an impressive citadel and defensive towers but also the houses of the local craftsmen who were responsible for developing Sighisoara’s prosperity.
Our tour also investigates the wooden churches of Maramures, characterised by their slim clock towers, and mediaeval Brasov, formerly one of eastern Europe’s most important trading towns and later a source of the Reformation in Transylvania. Sibiu, straddling the River Cibin, is home to the Brukenthal Palace, the main 18th century residence of the Governor of Transylvania, and is noted for its series of interlocking squares and covered passages with an extensive stock of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture.
We stay in hotels of three-star quality.
This tour will be led by Alex Koller, PhD (Cantab), expert in art history and architecture. Alex has lived and studied in Salzburg, Oxford and Cambridge. In addition to his interest in art history, Alex is a linguist, numbering German, French, Italian and Russian amongst his languages.
Itinerary
Day 1Depart Heathrow 1115 on Lufthansa via Munich to Sibiu, arriving 1715. Transfer to Ramada Sibiu for two nights.
Day 2Sibiu: parish church (remarkable 15th century bronze font), Upper Town, Council Tower, Hued Square, Lower Town, Bridge of Lies, Goldsmiths’ Square, Brukenthal Palace, Astra Museum (exterior only) followed by excursion to Cisnadie (15th century fortified church) and Cisnadoara (St Michael’s fortress church with 13th century west portal).
Day 3Cluj-Napoca (Miercurea Sibiului, Calnic Castle), Sebes (fortress, Student’s Tower, Tailors’ Tower, Binder House, Zapolya House) and Alba Iulia (former Roman camp, huge Baroque fort) then continue to Cluj for two nights at Hotel Agape.
Day 4Cluj (old town, museum, 14th century Church of St Michael) then excursion to wooden churches and gates of Maramures including Beclean, Sacel, Bogdan Voda, Ieud, Rozavlea.
Day 5Cluj: Banffy Castle (art museum) then via Medias, Biertan (fortified three-nave church with excellent Gothic west portal) and Valea Viilor (early 16th century fortified church) to Sighisoara for overnight at Hotel Sighisoara.
Day 6Sighisoara (including 16th and 17th century houses, citadel) then via Carta (ancient Cistercian monastery) to Brasov: Council Square, Council Tower, Black Tower, White Tower, Weavers’ Bastion, St Nicholas Church. Two nights at Hotel Coroana Brasovului.
Day 7Old town of Brasov (Black Church with famous organ of 4,000 pipes) followed by Prejmer (founded by Crusaders in 13th century, early Gothic fortified church), Rasnov citadel, 14th century Bran Castle (museum of mediaeval art and history).
Day 8Sinaia Monastery, Peles (19th century castle) then continue to Bucharest for return flight departing 1845 via Vienna, arriving Heathrow 2120.
Cost includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast & dinner, excursions & admissions.
Not included: travel insurance, single room supplement £160.
