World Journey Blog

Romania in general is not regarded as a travel destination must for many tourists. However, what many people don’t know is that the land of Vlad the Impaler (the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula) and Nadia Comaneci is rich in picturesque panoramas and historic sites. In fact, Romania has seven of the World Heritage Sites.

The region of Transylvania, contrary to popular beliefs, is not a wasteland that is home to witches, vampires, and evil supernatural entities. Instead, it is a breathtaking mountainous area in northern Romania where four of the seven Romanian World Heritage Sites are located, namely the Dacian fortresses, the historic town of Sighisoara, villages with fortified churches, and the wooden churches of Maramures.

The Dacian fortresses were constructed in 1 B.C. and 1 A.D. These fortresses were erected to defend the Geto-Dacian kingdoms which were remarkably culturally and socio-economically advanced during this period. Part of the charm of these fortresses lies in the fact that they lie in scenic surroundings.

The fortified Saxon town of Sighisoara was important in central Europe’s commerce for many centuries and has changed little since it was first constructed. However, this town derives its fame more from being the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the Romanian ruler who is known for his brutal method of torturing and executing his subjects.

There are seven villages in the southern Transylvanian area that have fortified churches. The buildings in these villages have been preserved since the latter part of the Medieval Ages. These buildings serve as perfect examples of 13^th to 16^th-century architecture.

In Maramures, Transylvania, eight wooden Gothic-style churches are preserved testimonies of architectural styles from different periods and areas. They serve as expressions of Transylvanian culture and show a high level of craftsmanship and artistry.