Our favourite five Saxon Villages

Saxon Cultural Heritage

One of the things you most often hear about Romania is that its cultural heritage is a rich and diverse mosaic of creative expressions. There’s even have a Culture and History Itinerary on our website to prove it! Discover our favourite five Saxon Villages below.

We’ve decided to take some time to discuss our heritage. First of all, heritage is not only a cultural legacy. It’s also something you live in the present. It’s a way in which you can really immerse yourself in the specifics of a new place. But also a way you can discover the universal human values that connect us. A way of going back to your roots – whether actual roots in your ancestries, or timeless values. 

King Charles III was impressed with the Romanian Saxon Villages and you’ll be too

Even the most important monarch of our times knows this. Romania’s most famous destination, Transylvania, is home to lots of Saxon villages dating back to the 12th century. King Charles III has made the region even more famous by buying a house in one of these villages. 

The English Monarch famously owns a house in Viscri, a gem amongst the Saxon villages in Transylvania. As patron of the Mihai Eminescu Foundation, the former Prince of Wales has ensured the restoration of countless heritage houses and curches. 

His interest in the Romanian Saxon villages isn’t all that surprising either, because the new King Charles III has a bloodline made up of roughly half German ancestors, on his father’s side. Philip had predominantly German ancestors and spoke fluent German and became a British citizen in 1947. 

The centuries-old legacy of the German communities is a major attraction of Transylvania, home to hundreds of towns and fortified churches built between the 12th and 15th centuries by Saxons. Six of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Our favourite Saxon Villages

If you want to discover traditional houses, visit the fortified churches and, in a nutshell, explore a world of traditions, we’ve compiled a list of our favourites: Viscri, Biertan, Copsa Mare, Cincsor, Mesendorf. 

Viscri

Viscri is perfect for those who look for an authentic Romanian experience. Some of the activities that you can do here are hikes and horseback rides, wine tastings, attending local crafts workshops. And actually making time stop! In Romania we say that eternity was born at the countryside. That’s probably why Charles likes it here so much! 

Biertan

The village, like most Saxon villages, was built around the fortified church. Biertan is the first village from the above-mentioned six to be included among the World Heritage Sites. Biertan was home to the chair of the Saxon Bishop for three centuries. Given its importance, the church was protected by three concentric walls, making it one of a kind in Transylvania.

Cincsor

In a country like Romania, infamous for the lack of bookstores, a guesthouse in Cincsor is tipping the scales! The gorgeous library in Cincsor Transylvania Guesthouses not only hosts hundreds of books, but is also an Instagram hashtag and sensation. The guesthouse complex comprises a former school, a former parish house, and two former peasant houses, all beautifully restored, keeping many of the original elements.

Copsa Mare

Less known, but only 2 km from Biertan and its great fortified church, Copsa Mare is one of the most beautiful villages in Transylvania. Copșa Mare Guesthouse is a tranquility oasis if you are looking for a traditional stay, yet you value the comfort of a modern lifestyle. Dive into the local cuisine, served at the guesthouse while enjoying organic ingredients, grown in-house or sourced from local farmers.

Mesendorf

Just because it’s at the bottom of this list, doesn’t mean Mesendorf isn’t top notch! It is the perfect starting point to explore Saxon villages, as well as some of the most known cities, such as Sighisoara, Sibiu, and Brasov. Asides from the beautiful architecture and the imposing fortified Saxon church that can be found here, Mesendorf is also a gourmet paradise which you can dig into.

From here to eternity

These places, our favourite five Saxon Villages, are as close as we very rarely get to feeling what eternity is. All else becomes irrelevant, apart from the sensation of being present in the moment.

If you’re looking to discover more about this rich cultural heritage, we’re here for personalised recommendations.

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