Sighișoara

The citadel of Sighisoara, or Schäßburg, was originally founded by German craftsmen and merchants in the 12th century, who were summoned here by the King of Hungary.

The Romanian name Sighisoara goes back to 1435, when it was derived from the Hungarian Segesvár. Vár meaning fort.

The towns guilds were responsible for guarding the city from Turkish raids. Each tower in the citadel takes it’s name from a guild (E.g. Rope Makers tower, Tailors tower, Shoemakers tower, Furriers Tower, Tanners tower, Blacksmiths tower). Although now only 9 of 14 towers still stand, they are still remarkable, and unqiue in their own way.

Most of the houses within the citadel are over 300 years old.

Sighișoara is said to be the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, who is the inspiration for Count Dracula.