Transylvania

37 lesser-known places in Transylvania, with history, curiosities, a map and tours nearby.

Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors

37 places

Gate I of the Alba Carolina Citadel in Alba Iulia, seen from outside

Castle & fortress

Alba Iulia Fortress

Alba Iulia · star-shaped Vauban citadel on Roman foundations

Bálványos Castle ruin on its hilltop near Turia

Castle & fortress

Bálványos Castle

Covasna · hilltop ruin of legends near Turia

The fortified church of Biertan (Birthälm) on its hill

Church & monastery

Biertan Fortified Church

Sibiu County · Saxon church fortress, UNESCO site

The Black Tower on its rocky spur above Brașov

Castle & fortress

Black Tower, Brașov

Brașov · rock-top lookout blackened by lightning

An outbuilding of Bánffy Castle in Bonțida

Castle & fortressFilmed here

Bonțida Bánffy Castle

Bonțida · Baroque “Versailles of Transylvania”

Borzești Church, the Assumption of the Virgin Mary church in Onești

Church & monastery

Borzești Church

Bacău · Stephen the Great’s church, built where an oak stood

The Bridge of Lies, a cast-iron footbridge in Sibiu

Bridge of Lies

Sibiu · a cast-iron footbridge with a bundle of legends

Aerial view of the Câlnic Fortress complex

Castle & fortress

Câlnic Fortress

Alba · double-walled Saxon refuge with a museum keep

A terrace at the Căpâlna Dacian fortress site

Căpâlna Fortress

Alba · Dacian hill fort burned by the Romans in 106 AD

The former Cistercian abbey at Cârța (Kerz)

Church & monastery

Cârța Monastery

Sibiu · medieval Cistercian abbey with a Gothic choir

Remains of the baths at Potaissa, Turda

Castra Potaissa

Turda · legion fortress with Dacia’s largest military baths

Ruins inside the Alba Iulia fortress complex, where the Roman castrum lies

Castrum Apulum

Alba Iulia · Roman legion base of ancient Dacia

Catherine’s Gate, the Renaissance gate tower in Brașov

Castle & fortress

Catherine’s Gate

Brașov · Renaissance gate tower with four corner turrets

The Clock Tower seen from the upper town of Sighișoara

Castle & fortress

Clock Tower of Sighișoara

Sighișoara · gate tower with a figure clock and a museum

The ruins of the Blidaru Dacian fortress on its hilltop

Costești-Blidaru Dacian Fortress

Hunedoara · Dacian hill fortress with six towers, UNESCO

The Council Tower of Sibiu seen between the two main squares

Castle & fortress

Council Tower of Sibiu

Sibiu · iconic gate tower between two squares, with views

The Dârjiu fortified church and its walls

Church & monastery

Dârjiu Fortified Church

Harghita · UNESCO Székely church with 1419 frescoes

The 13th-century stone church of Densuș

Church & monastery

Densuș Church

Hunedoara · medieval church built of Roman stones

Făgăraș Citadel seen from one side

Castle & fortressFilmed here

Făgăraș Citadel

Făgăraș · moated fortress and princely seat

The Reformed Fortress Church in Târgu Mureș

Church & monastery

Fortress Church, Târgu Mureș

Târgu Mureș · late Gothic church inside the citadel

The Fortress of Deva on its volcanic hill above the city

Castle & fortress

Fortress of Deva

Hunedoara · ruined citadel on a volcanic hill

Kemény Castle in Brâncovenești

Castle & fortress

Kemény Castle in Brâncovenești

Mureș · Renaissance castle built on Roman remains

The Mausoleum of the Heroes at Mărășești

Mausoleum of Mărășești

Mărășești · memorial to the 1917 battle and 5,073 soldiers

Mikó Castle in Miercurea Ciuc

Castle & fortress

Mikó Castle

Miercurea Ciuc · Székely fortress now a museum

Altar of the old wooden church at Nicula

Church & monastery

Nicula Monastery

Cluj · Marian pilgrimage site and glass-icon school

Remains of the principia at the Porolissum fort

Porolissum

Sălaj · Roman forts, amphitheatre and a Dacian Limes site

View of Prejmer fortified church

Church & monastery

Prejmer Fortified Church

Brașov · UNESCO Saxon church with about 270 refuge rooms

Râșnov Citadel seen from the road between Cristian and Râșnov

Castle & fortressFilmed here

Râșnov Citadel

Brașov County · peasant fortress with a legendary well

Roșia fortified church in the village of Roșia

Church & monastery

Roșia Fortified Church

Sibiu County · Saxon Romanesque basilica with a Baroque altar

Rupea Citadel on its basalt hill in Brașov County

Castle & fortress

Rupea Citadel

Brașov County · spiral fortress on a basalt cliff

An alley in the grounds of the Brâncoveanu Monastery at Sâmbăta de Sus

Church & monastery

Sâmbăta de Sus Monastery

Brașov County · Orthodox monastery, destroyed in 1785 and rebuilt

Remains of the sanctuaries at Sarmizegetusa Regia

Sarmizegetusa Regia

Hunedoara · Dacian capital with sanctuaries, UNESCO site

The tower of Saschiz fortified church

Church & monastery

Saschiz Fortified Church

Mureș · Saxon fortified church with a Sighișoara-style tower

Șchei Gate in Brașov

Castle & fortress

Șchei Gate

Brașov · the only city gate to survive intact

Plan of the Roman city of Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa

Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa

Hunedoara · ruined Roman capital with amphitheatre and forum

The fortified church of Valea Viilor

Church & monastery

Valea Viilor Fortified Church

Sibiu · Saxon fortified church with a defensive choir tower

The fortified church of Viscri on its hill

Church & monastery

Viscri Fortified Church

Brașov · UNESCO-listed Saxon fortified church