Sighișoara, Medieval citadel in Mureș County, Romania
Sighișoara is a town in Mureș County, Romania, whose upper part is enclosed by defensive walls. The lower town stretches along the river and connects residential quarters with markets and workshops.
Saxon settlers arrived from the 12th century onward and received town rights from Hungarian rulers in 1367. The fortifications were later expanded several times to fend off raids.
The old name points to Saxon roots, while the Romanian name comes directly from Hungarian. Residents of the upper citadel and lower quarters maintain different traditions, with religious festivals bringing both parts together.
The train station sits slightly outside the center, with a short walk leading up to the river. Reaching the upper citadel involves climbing a covered wooden staircase up the steep lane.
The wooden school staircase from the 17th century leads upward through a tunnel and was originally built to protect children from weather and danger. Along the way, there are more than 170 steps now used by visitors and locals alike.
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