Visiting Sighisoara: Churches

When visiting Sighisoara, and especially the citadel, you will see a lot of old churches.
I have come recently across an interesting article about the two of the most important churches in Sighisoara. Both of them are located in the citadel and here is what you should know if you intend to visit the wonderful medieval city of Sighisoara:

“Among the many other architectural wonders, Sighisoara has several churches, very old and beautiful. But two among these stand out from the very first time you visit them, and are bound to be nice memories for your trip.

The first one is the Church of the Dominican Monastery (Biserica Manastirii Dominicane), close to the famous Clock Tower. It is a very old building, being first mentioned in a document from 1298, when it was part of a larger monastery. In 1556 it became the main Lutheran church and in 1888 the impressive complex was sadly demolished, only the church being left standing. On the site the present town hall was built. The Church of the Dominican Monastery is buuilt in the late-Gothic style, with two rows of pillars on the inside, an impressive and massive structure, which was restored several times, first in the 15th and 16th century, then in 1894 and 1929. Besides the architectural elements, you can admire on the inside a small collection of art, several religious items, several Oriental carpets, as well as the beautiful organ and the altarpiece, dating from 1680. You can visit the church, you can pray here or you can attend one of the classical and/or baroque concerts hosted here.

Another beautiful church is the so-called Church on the Hill (Biserica din Deal), also in the center of the city, considered to be one of the most important Gothic buildings in Romania dating at least from 1345. The building we see today was erected on the site of a former Roman basilica, and the actual building took more than 150 years, the church being extended and changed several times. On the inside the best parts are the remnants of the murals from 1483-1488, the original furniture in a Renaissance style, as well as the altarpiece, which was actually painted by Johann Stoss. One of the greatest treasures of the church are three coats of arms, made out of wood, which belonged to Matei Corvin, Stephen Bathory and Wladislav IIIrd.

Little is known that most of the original murals were destroyed in 1776, on the condition that the beautiful original paintings were first copied on parchments, to be kept and later reproduced. Unfortunatelly, these copies were lost in time, and only a few fragments of the original murals survive.“

Source

Kylie Minogue Live in Bucharest

Kylie Minogue – “KYLIEX2008″

When:  May 17th 2008, 19:00

Where: Cotroceni Stadium

How: tickets here

Accommodation in Bucharest: soon.

Iron Maiden live in Bucharest

Iron Maiden

When: August 4th 2008

Where: Cotroceni Stadium

How: tickets here

Accommodation in Bucharest: soon.

Lenny Kravitz live in Bucharest

Lenny Kravitz

When:  July 26 2008, 19:00

Where: Cotroceni Stadium

How: tickets soon here

Accommodation in Bucharest soon.

Clock Tower in Sighisoara

 

I have come across a very interesting article regarding the Clock Tower in Sighisoara.

Apart from a small mistake in the text (Sighisoara is named “European Cultural capital for 2007″ instead of Sibiu), the article shows us a lot of interesting details about the most important tower in the Sighisoara Citadel, the clock tower.

Here are a few extracts:

“With a height of over 64 meters, the Clock Tower is by all means a sight to behold, yet most of the visitors have eyes for the huge clock, on the fourth floor (the fifth and final one is actually an open balcony). The roof, with a pyramid shape, has two small domes. Over this domes there is a small golden globe, and over this a rooster made out of metal, which turns on the wind.”

“Since 1899, this old, medieval structure was turned into a special and impressive museum, called “Old Sighisoara”, ran at first by Iosif Bacon. Over the three floors, visitors have the chance of discovering, through several rare and well kept and presented exhibits, the history, customs, values and legends of the old city. The first major exhibit is a big model of the town, as it was in the 18^th century, a model made by one Julius Miselbacher. The rest of the objects, documents and artworks tell the story of the city, from the early times, when Romans conquered the mighty and fearless locals, to the founding and functioning of the powerfull guilds, that practically kept the city going, to the events of the 15^th and 16^th century, when Vlad Tepes was in Sighisoara.”

“Going up, on the third floor of the tower, we take our first steps in the world of the 17^th and 18^th centuries, represented especially by a rather large and varied collection of furniture pieces, a fascinating presentation of various styles and trends, from Renaissance to Beidermaier. Another major part of this unusual and special museum is the pharmacy. Yes, it is the section with all the inventory of an old pharmacy, of the 17^th century and even older, showing how evolved this trade was, but also how much superstition was still used.

 

On the fourth floor, we finally reach the Holy Grail of the tower, the very mechanism of the clock, a labyrinth of springs, small and large wheels, tubes and countless pieces of metal, a small universe that only the best of best could ever works out. Yet, this clock – OK, well kept – still keeps on going on and on, counting the seconds, minutes and hours, for some centuries. The clock has two hour plates, 2.4 meters in diameter, and near these in the wall there are several niches, very large, where the figurines symbolizing the days of the week can be found. For this is the main charm of this huge clock – the figurines.

 

We don’t know exactly when the clock and it’s figurines were put in the tower, the only document being a small written note from 1648, which says that the “hourglass of the clock was renewed by the master clockmaker Johannes Kirschel”. It is very possible that before the fire of 1676 there were other figures, destroyed in the flames. The statuettes that we see today, 0.80 meters tall, made out of lime wood, were installed in 1677, and are seven in numbers, one for each day of the week.”

 

“Monday is the day of the Godess of the Moon, and it’s figurine is dressed in light blue, carrying a now and arrow, while Tuesday is the day of Mars, the symbol of war, destruction and death, portrayed as a strong man, with a red shirt and blue coat, with a large spear in his hands, being also a symbol of Iron. Wednesday is represented by Hermes, the emissary of the gods, protector of commerce, but also the symbol of the alchemical mercury (the Sun) and silver (the Moon). Thursday  - Donnerstag – was the day of the father of the Greek gods, Jupiter, but also of the Wottan in the norselands. The allpowerful figure is here presented as an impressive figurine, wearing a large, golden crown and wearing a red shirt – symbol of the power and quick anger – and a cape made out of fur. His foot is put upon the Earth globe, and he holds in his hands the most powerful weapons : thunder and lightning. Friday could not find another godess than Venus, the perfect choice, protector and symbol of love and beauty, a beatiful young woman that admires herself in  a small mirror, held by a little cupidon. Saturday, the day of Saturn, is a bearded figurine, older, dressed in blue and red, it’s right leg being black.”

 

Full article here.

 

 

Luftahnsa to land in Cluj

Good news for those intending to fly right in the heart of Transylvania!

The german airline Lufthansa will introduce a number of flights to/from Cluj International Airport as of next spring.

Cluj International Airport is also used by Tarom, WizzAir, Alitalia and Malev. (Source: Mediafax)

And if by any chance you wish to stop in Sighisoara for a night or two, you can use the BookINN.eu accommodation service.

See you there!

Dracula facts II

“Also brought to film in 1931, like Frankenstein, author Bram Stoker first brought us Dracula through his novel, ‘Dracula,’ but he was certainly not the first person to write about vampires, just the one with the best vision and timing.

Much like Frankenstein, Dracula was bound for cereal fame as well, in the form of Count Chocula. ‘The Onion’ parodied General Mill’s choice of breakfast cereal mascots by writing: ‘Chocula, who routinely feasts on the blood of the innocent to prolong his nightmarish living death, told parents that a single serving of Count Chocula with half a cup of skim milk provides nine essential vitamins and minerals, and contains only half a gram of fat. ‘

Dracula’s fame has also brought tourism to areas of Romania associated with the monster, which locals have mixed feeling about. They might take a cue from Jack Handy of Saturday Night Live fame, who knew how to keep Dracula at bay: ‘I wish I had a kryptonite cross because then I could keep Superman and Dracula away.’” (source)

Dracula was born in Sighisoara. The city od Sighisoara is a World Heritage UNESCO Site. If you want to visit Sighisoara you can use the Bookinn.eu accommodation service.

Austrian companies to invest in hotel industry and infrastructure in Romania

“Several Austrian companies have announced their intention to invest in tourism and hotel industry and in infrastructure in Romania in the interval ahead, Vice-Chairman with the Romanian Agency for Foreign Investment (ARIS) Monica Barbuletu said on October 23, on the occasion of the Country Business Brunch conference organised by the Ziarul Financiar daily.

 

The new wave of investors will be represented mainly by small and medium-sized Austrian enterprises, according to ARIS estimates.

 

Austrian Ambassador in Bucharest Martin Eichtinger said that the Austrian companies operating on the Romanian market are interested in investing in infrastructure, because the Romanian economy has a growth rate of 5-6 percent on an annual basis and Romania is to benefit from European postaccession funds.

 

Austrian companies, with 6 billion euros invested in the energy sector (OMV), banking (Erste Bank, Raiffeisen Bank and Porsche Bank), insurance sector, where Austrian companies hold 40 percent of the market, are the most important on the domestic market.

 

The specificity of the direct investments made so far by Austrian companies has been the entering on the market of some large companies, with quite low interest in the low-cost production, Martin Eichtinger said.

 

The upward trend was maintained in 2007, with most of the investments being green-field ones, with investors interested to build the infrastructure, to bring technology and know-how, Monica Barbuletiu said.

 

The leasing market, car import, air transport and constructions are other sectors in Romania having eyed Austrian investors.” (source)

 

Accommodation in Romania, Bucharest and Sighisoara (hostels, hotels and appartments): www.BookINN.eu

European Travel Cruises: Budapest to the Black Sea

River cruising has enjoyed a major resurgence in recent times, and little wonder with its combination of iconic rivers, historic towns and supreme luxury onboard superior riverboats.

Budapest to the Black Sea

This 11-night cruise floats through the rich cultural history of the lower Danube. Your riverboat will venture through the countries of Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. Along the way passengers can take in the heritage of local monasteries and museums, as well as the Iron Gate of Romania, and visit the island where Dracula is said to be entombed.  (source and details)

Accommodation in Bucharest and Sighisoara (hostels, hotels and appartments): www.BookINN.eu

December in Concerts: Nils Petter Molvaer in Timisoara

 

 

Nils Petter Molvaer (Featuring NPM, Eivind Aarset, Thomas Strønen)

When:  December 1st 2007

Where: Timisoara, Filarmonica

How: tickets TBA

Accommodation in Timisoara, Bucharest and Sighisoara (hostels, hotels and appartments): www.BookINN.eu

The ten best rural tourist destinations in Europe

The ten best rural destinations of Europe, as awarded in the European Annual Tourism Forum in Portugal on 26th of October, are:

Austria: Pielachtal, Belgium: Durbuy, Croatia: Sveti Martin na Muri, Cyprus: Troodos, Greece: Florina, Hungary: Orseg, Ireland: Clonakilty District, Italy: Specchia, Latvia: Kuldiga, Malta: Nadur

“The aim of EDEN is twofold: to draw attention to the value, diversity and shared characteristics of European tourist destinations and to promote destinations where commercial success goes hand in hand with social, cultural and environmental sustainability. It also creates awareness of Europe’s tourist diversity and quality, besides promoting Europe as the foremost tourism destination in the world.

Next year seven additional Member States of the EU (Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, France, Lithuania, Spain and Romania) and Turkey will participate in the EDEN Awards.” (source)
Of course, we recomend as the best tourist destination in Romania the Sighisoara Citadel, a UNESCO heritage site, one of the few inhabited citadels in the world. For accomodation in Sighisoara, follow this link.

UK investors invited in Transylvania

It’s quite obvious that we receive more and more signals regarding the advertisement of Transylvanian properties and the promotion of residential parks situated close to Bran Castle in UK press.

Both the Romanian and British press write more and more each day on the investment opportunities in Transylvania.

Romania tries to attract foreign investors and everybody sees this potential investment in the area as a good thing.

There are also UK companies that advertise the investment opportunity in Transylvania. One of them is Ark Property.  And you can read the full story here. Arc Property, a company based in Fulham, London, has developed Cold Mountain Golf & Spa Resort, a residential compound situated within walking distance of Bran, home of the famous castle on which Bran Stoker’s Dracula mythology was born, is offering currently a 20% discount for British clients, below the developer’s launch price until December 1, 2007. 

 

On another article , in The Obersver, we find Count Tibor Kalnoky (the founder of Castellum Group, which helps local owners renovate run-down Romanian castles and manor houses through the injection of foreign cash) explaining the possibilities of investment in Transylvania. Weather its £3.4 million for the castle of Count Peter Horvath Tholdy, built in 1642 or the £40 million Bran Castle you’re invited to join.

The Prodigy Live in Sibiu

When: New Year’s Eve, December 31st 2007

Where: Sibiu (location TBA)

How: tickets (if case) TBA

Accommodation in Sibiu, Bucharest and Sighisoara (hostels, hotels and appartments): www.BookINN.eu

Steaua – Slavia Praha (UEFA Champions League)

When: November 27th, 21:45 local time (GMT +2)

Where: Steaua Stadium (Ghencea)

How: Tickets here. (between 8th and 10th of November)

Accommodation in Bucharest (hostels, hotels and appartments): www.BookINN.eu

Steaua – Sevilla in Bucharest (Uefa Champions League)

When: November 7th, 21:45 local time (GMT +2)

Where: Steaua Stadium (Ghencea)

How: Tickets here. (starting october 30th)

Accommodation in Bucharest (hostels, hotels and appartments): www.BookINN.eu 

Autumn in concerts: Kid Loco, Daddy G (Massive Attack) and Nickodemus live in Bucharest

When:

Kid Loco: October 27th

Daddy G: November 3rd

Nickodemus: November 10th

Where: Live Music Club

Tickets:

Kid Loco: 30 RON

Daddy G: 40 RON

Nickodemus: 30 RON

not available online yet (TBA)

Accommodation in Bucharest ( hostels, hotels and appartments): www.bookINN.eu

Kronos Quartet to play in Bucharest

KRONOS QUARTET (David Harrington-violin, John Sherba-violin, Hank Dutt-viola, Jeffrey Zeigler-cello)

When: May 11th, 2008

Where: Bucharest (Location T.B.A)

How: Tickets TBA

Accommodation in Bucharest (hostels, appartments or hotels) : www.bookINN.eu

Concert in Sighisoara: Romanian Piano Trio

Romania Piano Trio

(Alexandru Tomescu, Razvan Suma and Horia Mihail)

When: October 24, 2007, 19:00

Where: “Mihai Eminescu” Hall, Sighisoara

How: tickets not available on-line

Accommodation in Sighisoara: www.BookINN.eu

Dracula Castle, second most expensive property in the world

Or, at least this is what Forbes said. The first one is a house in Beverly Hills.

The Bran castle, better known worldwide as The Dracula Castle, is for sale for only 140 million US Dollars.

“The Bran Castle, considered one of Romania’s most important brands, is listed by Forbes despite a series of controversies regarding the inheritance rights over the property, which is still disputed in court.

The building is considered one of the most important tourism attractions in Romania as it is visited by some 450,000 tourists annually.”

source

November in concerts: Pet Shop Boys Bucharest concert postponed

the date of the PSB concert in Bucharest has changed!

Pet Shop Boys

When: November ^25th 2007 19:30

Where: Sala Palatului

How: tickets here

What you need to know if you plan to visit Brasov

 

While surfing the net in search of news regarding the Romania’s tourist attractions I came across this article describing Brasov. I pasted the article below hoping that it could be of help for those that plan to visit this wonderful place.

 

Part of the Transylvania region of Romania, Brasov is an up and coming city that is centrally located approximately 160 kilometers from Bucharest.

The population of Brasov is growing at a steady rate and is currently approaching the 300,000 mark.

Brasov is one of the largest and most cherished cities of the country. Surrounded on three sides by mountains, it was a perfect place for a medieval settlement.

The old city, founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1211, is one of the best preserved cities in all of Europe.

It was thoroughly restored to the delight of an increasing number of tourists. It is the capital City of Brasov County, in central Romania, in Transylvania, at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains.

Brasov also makes a fabulous base for exploring the surrounding countryside where the air is clean and the people friendly.

The exact origins of Brasov are not known, but there is a definite mention of a settlement in the area in an ancient German document, where it is referred to as Terra Saxonum de Barasu translates as Saxon Land of Baras.

It was not until 1918, when Transylvania became part of Romania, that the region became affiliated with the State of Romania.

Following both World Wars, the area saw an increase in the numbers of Germans fleeing to neighboring countries.

This continued immediately after the Second World War, when the city became communist and many inhabitants traveled back to Germany to escape the regime.

During the 1950s, the city was named Orasul Stalin, after the Soviet leader, Joseph Stalin. This name disappeared in 1960 when the communist regime loosened its ties with Moscow.

Centrally located Brasov is a good starting point for trips around Romania. The city is situated at fairly equal distances from several tourism destinations in the country.

Just 12km or 7 miles away from Brasov city you will find Romania’s most famous skiing resort, Poiana Brasov.

It is referred to in ski directories all over the world. The snow layer lasts for 120 days a year.

It features great hotels and restaurants, modern winter sports facilities and numerous ski slopes.

It is also the largest city in a mountain resorts area. The old city itself is very well preserved, and is best seen by taking the cable car to the top of Tampa Hill which is 995m, a beautiful lookout.

Temperatures from May to September fluctuate around 23C or 75F.

Brasov benefits from a winter tourism season centered on winter sports and other activities.

source

Danish Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary’s visit in Sighisoara

Danish Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Crown Princess Mary visited Sighisoara’s Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage objective, on the 9^th of October.  The guests have been joined by Mr. Theodor Paleologu, the Romanian Ambassador in Copenhagen, Mr.Torben Schreiber, Honorific Counselor of Romania for Jutlanda and Fyn and Mr. Ulrik Helweg-Larsen, the Danish Ambassador in Romania. The couple also visited the History Museum and a souvenir shop in the Citadel.

360 degrees panoramic views of Sighisoara

Pictures taken during the 2007 medieval festival in Sighisoara citadel can be seen here.

The best way to find accomodation in Sighisoara is trough BookINN.Eu.

Short Review: Brett Anderson and Muse in Bucharest

Well, it was quite a how last night in Bucharest. Brett was great. He sang both some of his new songs and Suede songs. His fans, on Brett’s site forum, think that Muse should have opened for him or that he cannot be called “an opening act” but Muse’s special guest (”.. and Brett Anderson did not support Muse! At least this is the way I see it! It was the special guest and not the support.”).

Muse’s show, as expected, was great. They managed somehow to connect really good with the rather inexperienced Romanian public. The crowd really enjoyed all of the songs and made a lot of noise singing along on “Starlight” and “Stockholm Syndrome”. It felt quite surprising to see so many people that knew the lyrics to Muse’s songs.

Windy weather, extraordinary music, lots of fans and a new and good location for Bucharest concerts were the elements of what has probably been the best concert held in Bucharest this year.

Yes, it has been a whole lot better than the Stones.

Jazz Concert in Sighisoara: Joseph Haltrich High-School re-opening

Everybody living or visiting Sghisoara in the up-coming period is invited on the 6^th of October in the Citadel Square to attend to a show that marks the re-opening of the oldest educational institution in Sighisoara, the Joseph Haltrich High-School.

All school’s buildings have been restored in a work that lasted 6 years and that has been sponsored by Hermann Niermann Association from Düsseldorf. The “up-on-a-hill” School is also celebrating 400 years of existence on this occasion.

The show that will start around 16:00 o’clock will welcome Jazz Band Bonn Special. The lead singer of this quite famous jazz band is none other than Mr. Uwe Stiemke, which is also the president of the Hermann Niermann Association.