Transylvania, Guest Houses and Hiking Trails in the Fortress Landscape
Transylvania – Seeking the Past
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The mysterious land "beyond the forest", in the heart of Romania, is still an insider tip for West Europeans who are looking for primary natural and cultural landscapes. Of course, the 21st century has already arrived in Transylvania's larger cities. In the rural areas, however, time seems to have stood still since the 19th century. Life there moves at a gentle pace: Shepherds drive their herds through the village streets to the meadows, horse carts are still a common mode of transportation, fields are usually tilled by hand, and in the evenings the villagers just get together in the streets to talk about the day. |
A Melting Pot of Cultures
For centuries, many different peoples have left their mark on Transylvania. In addition to the Dacians and Romans, Romanians, Hungarians, Germans, Ottomans, and Romani people have shaped the character of the central plateau. As a result, most villages and towns still have two or more names. Transylvania, for example, is also known as Transilvania or Ardeal in Romanian, as Siebenbürgen or Transsilvanien in German, and as Erdély in Hungarian.
Transylvania is an ancient European cultural region with origins that reach far into the past. Just like in the Western countries, the local architecture shows Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque influences. Subconsciously, the creative powers of the various nations are still working today, reflecting a literal clash of diverse cultural and stylistic influences.
Fortified Churches and their Guest Houses
For those who know Transylvania, the region is simply not imaginable without its fortified churches, impressive symbols not only of the Transylvanian Saxons, but also of the continuous threat once posed by Mongol and Ottoman hordes.
During your travels through this unique cultural landscape you will find a large number of guest houses, usually situated in the former parsonages adjacent to the fortified churches.
A visit to these guest houses is the best way to explore this unique cultural landscape. Generally open to individuals and tourist groups, as well as for conferences and church groups, the Transylvanian guest houses offer an incomparable travel experience. And you are doing a good deed as well: the proceeds from the guest houses are used for the restoration and preservation of the local fortified churches and their attached guest houses/parsonages.
Hiking in Transylvania
Hiking between fortified churches, exploring meadows, valleys, and mountains – what a great way to spend your holidays! There are more than 50 marked hiking trails in South Transylvania, each leading through spectacular natural landscapes and offering unforgettable experiences.
