Historic Centre of Sighişoara, World Heritage Site in Romania

Sighişoara was a small fortified city located in Transylvania, northwest Romania.It was founded by artisans and merchants of German descent known as Transylvanian Saxons. Sighişoara is valued for its development as a commercial city over the centuries, which it still retains today.

Here, a World Heritage enthusiast explains why the Historic Center of Sighişoara is a World Heritage Site in an easy-to-understand manner. Read this and you will definitely learn more about Sighişoara!

What is the Historic Center of Sighişoara?

Sighişoara is located in central Romania, southeast as far as Transylvania is concerned. The area was inhabited by Transylvanian Saxons, settlers of German descent. They experienced the Mongol invasion in the 13th century, so they built fortifications in towns and churches so that they could defend themselves in case of emergency. Sighişoara was another fortified city developed during that period.

The town was built by Transylvanian Saxons in the 12th century on a 425-meter-high hill, and a watchtower and a fortress were constructed in the 14th century, at which time its function as a fortress city was completed.Its heyday was from the 15th to 16th centuries, but it gradually declined from the 17th century. However, perhaps due to its early decline, the city’s medieval townscape was not destroyed, and this has helped to enhance the city’s value.

The main constituent properties on the registry

Clock Tower

The tallest of the nine towers surrounding the town, this symbolic tower was built in the 14th century and has a richly decorated roof with four towers. The tower that remains today was rebuilt in the 17th century, and a mechanized, karakuri clock was added. This still works today, and the two clock faces are fitted with Roman mythology-themed puppets that appear on the dials.

Eight towers

The names of the craftsmen’s towers, such as the Tin Man’s Tower, Tanner’s Tower, Tether’s Tower, Butcher’s Tower, Furrier’s Tower, Tailor’s Tower, Shoemaker’s Tower, and Blacksmith’s Tower, indicate that the guilds were powerful, as in a commercial city.

Church on the Mountain

The symbol is a covered wooden staircase, which was built for people going to school on the mountain.At the top is a church, completed in the 16th century. It is a typical Gothic construction and is now a Lutheran (a Protestant) church.

House of Vlad Dracul (birthplace of Vlad III)

The place where Vlad II, Duke of Wallachia (southern Romania) from 1431-1435, was imprisoned.Vlad III was born here.Also known as Vlad Tsepesh (Prince Skewer), he is said to have been the model for Dracula because of his brutal fighting style.Incidentally, it is now a restaurant, also named “Casa Vlad Dracul (Vlad Dracul’s House)”.

For what reason is the Historic Center of Sighişoara on the World Heritage List?

Sighişoara was recognized for

Registration Criteria (iii)
The town of Sighişoara is a place where the excellent culture of the Transylvanian Saxons can be seen.

Registration Criteria (v)
That Sighişoara is an excellent example of a small fortified city on the border between the Latin cultures of Central Europe and the Orthodox cultures of Eastern Europe.

Conclusions and Impressions of a World Heritage Maniac

Sighişoara is not appreciated for its outstanding architecture and architectural style, but solely for its Transylvanian Saxon culture and life in a fortified city.

Incidentally, few Transylvanian Saxons live in Romania today, and some of their churches have fallen into disrepair.Nevertheless, the cities they built are now preserved as tourist attractions, while retaining their old cityscapes.In fact, there was a terrible plan to build a “Dracula theme park” on the outskirts of Sighişoara. However, that plan was abandoned, perhaps because the people who lived there had a strong love for this town. The people who built this town may be gone, but the old town of Sighişoara continues to be protected by the people who live here.

*The contents here are considerations derived through research by World Heritage enthusiasts. As for the data, interpretation differs depending on the media.