The Saxon Legacy
Apart from being one of the last untamed regions in Europe in terms of nature preservation, the multicultural background of this blessed province is another attraction!
Transylvania has as many as 4 nationalities sharing this territory at the present: Romanians, Hungarians, Székelys (part of Hungarian heritage) and Saxons. 
The Saxons (originally from around Luxemburg) were invited to colonize Transylvania by the Hungarian King Geza II, beginning with the 13th century. They were given land and higher prerogatives than the locals in exchange of building citadels and fortifications to guard the southern and southeastern borders of Transylvania against the Tartar and Turkish invaders, at a time when this land belonged to the Hungarian Kingdom. They have built impressive strongholds, citadels on the hilltops of their inhabited areas and they have fortified their churches, most of which still stand today and can be visited.
SIGHISOARA (Schassburg, Segesvár)
One of the best preserved Saxon citadels in Transylvania, SighiÅŸoara or Schaesburg (Germ.) and Segesvár (Hun.) stands proudly on the hill of the small town , dominating the entire Târnava Valley. Famous for being still inhabited by the locals, it was built in the 14th century and it was designated a UNESCO site. The lovely hotels and restaurants restored in the old buildings inside the citadel make it the perfect opportunity to spend the night and experience the medieval charm of the narrow cobbled streets, the thick-walled buildings and the old bastions more closely. Also, one of the biggest Anatolian (Turkish) rug collection, after the one in Brasov’s Black Church hangs on the walls of the oldest Evangelic church in the citadel…
BIERTAN (Bierthalm, Berethalom)
This was the most important fortified church in this region of Transylvania, surrounded by vast vines scattered on the nearby hills. The church has a few rugs hanging on the walls inside, a most impressive lock on the door of the sacristy dating back to 1505, and beautiful bastions around the church. Built in the 13th century, it had a very important role in the administrative life of the Saxons in Transylvania and today it is the place where all the Saxons who still live here celebrate their legacy at the annual reunion of the Saxons in Romania!
SIBIU (Hermannstadt, Nagyszeben)
Sibiu was the capital of the free Saxons in the times when they colonized the hills of Transylvania. This lovely city has undergone major renovations in the old centre, financed both by the European Union and the Romanian Government, in order to make it impeccable for the most important celebration of the city’s existence: in the year 2007 Sibiu was voted the European Capital of Culture.
As a result, there have been a lot of hotels built in the city centre, lots of charming restaurants and terraces filling the 2 sides of the central pedestrian and of course an abundance of cultural activities and attractions like the “Liars’ Bridge” in the Small Square, the beautiful open Big Square, the main Sq. in the old centre, the Evangelic Church, the Brukenthal Museum and many others. Sibiu has also improved its international airport, operating more and more direct flights from different cities in Western Europe, so it is worth a one or two days visit!
PREJMER (Tartlau, Prázsmár)
Situated next to the city of Brasov,in the southern bend of the Eastern Carpathians, Prejmer is maybe the most impressive Saxon fortification. Due to its important position – this is where the Tartars and Turks had been trying to enter the Transylvanian Plateau for many centuries – it is the strongest fortified church, with a very interesting interior wall. The Saxons who arrived to this part of Transylvania found the foundation of a church, which was probably started by the Teutonic Knights who had been asked by the Hungarian King to come from the Holy Land and help against the Tartar invaders.
The Saxon settlers used the foundation to build their church and they continued with impressive thick walls around it, being able to make one room for every family in the village, to have a refuge in times of siege. The rooms are very nicely displayed one next to the other on 4 different levels with small ladders leading to them and connecting each level.
06.05.2008. 14:31
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