During the Middle Ages, Transylvania, then part of the Kingdom of Hungary, was colonized with various populations originating from Western Europe. These populations are nowadays know with the general term ‘Saxons’. In the same time period, Transylvania was often invaded by Mongols and Ottomans. This fact is one of the reasons behind the massive western population migration to this region.

The Saxon settlements were organized around a central church. The churches were later on fortified, in stages, so that the inhabitants of the settlements could find refugee inside in war periods. Beside the churches, the Saxon also founded and fortified their towns, seven of which became so famous for their fortifications that the German name of Transylvania was derived from them: Siebenburgen (‘the seven fortified towns’). Sibiu was the best defended of the Saxon towns.

Including both countryside and cityscape, this guided day tour from Cluj focuses on Saxon and Romanian heritage in Sibiu area.