The town of Sighisoara probably comes closest to what most visitors think an old Transylvanian town should look like. Nicknamed the Pearl of Transylvania, it was settled in 1280, although archaeologists have found evidence of Roman settlement four milennia ago.
The city is still surrounded by medieval ramparts, and the winding streets are lined with old buildings. There's a very nice old church atop a hill within the old walls, and the central clock tower offers a fine view of the village's ancient red roofs. The interior of the tower is now a museum with a fascinating collection of objects from the Middle Ages (its exhibit of medieval gynecological medical instruments is enough to make a grown woman faint). There is also an exhibit of photographs and banners from local participation in the December 1989 revolution. Sighisoara is also home to the Museum of Medieval Armory and a torture museum that houses some gruesome instruments.
The town has a strong link with the often overhyped Dracula legend, as Prince Vlad (Dracula) was actually born in Sighisoara. The city, however, has remained surprisingly unspoiled by tacky Dracula commercialism. 55 mi/90 km northwest of Brasov.
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