Sighisoara

We are in Transylvania, in its Saxon Lands, settled and occupied by Germans since the 13th century or so. A few remain, and there are many traces of the culture. (Later, the Hapsburgs). And most of the non-Romanian tourists we see are from Germany. Sighisoara is a medium-sized town that goes back to the 12th century or before. The old town has been re-done many times over the centuries, but its medieval lay-out and charm are intact. We feel like we are in Rothenburg am Tauber before it was "discovered," but, quite obviously, Sighisoara has been discovered, although not yet over-run. Its chief claim to fame, other than its Citadel and fortified old town, is that it is the birthplace of Vlad Tepes, "the Impaler."

Looking up toward the fortified old town, from our campsite

At the campground Aquarius, with intermittently OK wifi; that's Vicki filling the 
fresh water tank as I take pix; half a block from the river and the CBD

So we're walking around the downtown Friday evening, exploring, walking past 
the high school, and--whoa!--it's the Mircea Eliade High School and Gynasium! 
My undergraduate honors thesis, "A Portrait of the Artist as Homo Religiosus," 
in religion (I also did one in philosophy), was an application of Eliadean notions to
James Joyce; Eliade, in the later 20th century, was the reigning paradigm in history/
theory of religions; he was Romanian; from Bucharest; quite a controversial (and

unsavory) figure, politically and otherwise, as I learned today reading up on him 
on the internet (which was, alas, not available in 1968-69)

Romanians make much of their ties to ancient Rome; 
Trajan conquered the Dacians in 106 AD, and the 
Romans stuck around for another 175 years (rather

less than the 4 and a half centuries they were in the UK); 
Romania refers to Rome, not the Roma (they say)

Next morning, we were at the Saturday market; no street food here; we are 
beginning to understand that these markets consist of goods produced by 
peasants for peasants; not tourists

Baskets, still green

Sighisoara's Citadel, an impressive gateway to the walled/
fortified upper town; 15th century or so

High noon, and the clock characters perform

And the Town Crier appears

Beautiful old streets

Three-dimensional deer representation

At the brandy cellar where I bought some Palinca--the potent 
plum brandy (100 proof)--two cute locals pose

The river and church, close to which we are camped; parking 
near churches, cathedrals, monasteries (and their bells), we 
have learned, always provides for an early start; I like to think 
of them as over-sized alarm clocks