CYCLING TOUR OF MEDIEVAL TRANSYLVANIA

Guests will be arriving from noon onwards in Brasov/Kronstadt for a short tour in the old centre of this beautiful medieval city, famous for the Black Church and other sites. Dinner to follow in the old city center, accompanied by a short introduction and welcome package. 

Overnight in San Petru or similar (about 4 km from Brasov) 

After breakfast you will leave Brasov on the north route to Bod, following a secondary route for 14 miles/23 km. You will ride through San Petru, Bod, Feldioara/Marienburg, Haghig, Belini, and Aita Mare. From Feldioara we are cycling along the Olt River for another 38 km, to Miclosoara, where an old medieval castle of Count Kalnoky will be visited. Miklósvár is the oldest documented settlement of the region. Its castle was first mentioned in 1211 AD as border fortress between the territory donated to the Knights of the Teutonic Order and the rest of the of the Kingdom of Hungary. We will continue then the route for another 10 km to reach our final destination for today, Talisoara where we will be accommodated at an old restored castle, Daniel castely. Provided there is time, a visit to a local blacksmith may be organized.

Overnight in Talisoara at an old restored manor house.

After a medieval evening and a refreshing breakfast around 9.00 am, we will continue our route along Olt River. After 10 km going into the North, we will follow the river to the West for another 13 km. In Racos we will find one of the most important fortified churches in the area. After additional 15 km, we will reach Homorod and visit another important fortified church. 
Once arrived in Rupea, we will continue our route via Dacia to Viscri, a beautiful World Heritage site. Viscri is a small settlement in the heart of Transylvania, where you can discover ageless traditions, legends and faiths of its people, while enjoying the architecture and savouring the richness of its craftsmanship and cuisine. Here we will explore the church and its museum; we will make a tour of the garden and the courtyard activities, visit the village shop and blacksmith.

We will spend the night in Viscri in traditional renovated medieval houses.

In the morning we will spend some more time in Viscri and visit the community activities. We will leave before noon towards Messendorf via Bunesti and will visit the gothic church in Messendorf, which was built in the 14th century. The view from the tower in Messendorf is one of the highlights of a visit in Tarnava Mare area. It gives a clear understanding of the layout of the Saxon villages and stunning views of the surrounding countryside.  From Messendorf we will travel to Sighisoara by bus and stop in Saschiz to visit the Church, another World Heritage site.
The famous magnificent bell tower, whose church was built in the 15th century, dominates Saschiz. On the hill above Saschiz is the Peasant Citadel, built by the Saxons probably on the site of a former Roman fort. The citadel is great place for a picnic lunch and an excellent photographer’s vantage point.

We will arrive in Sighisoara in the evening to have a tour of the beautiful old citadel. Sighisoara is recognized as one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. The old fortified town lies on a small hill, dominating the lower town. Guests will be accommodated in Sighisoara or in the neighboring villages of Saes, Apold or Cris.

After having breakfast around 9.00 am we will leave Sighisoara and start our cycling trip. On the way we will visit the the castle from Danes, and the fortified churches in Dumbraveni and Floresti as well as the beautiful church from Malancrav, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The village of Malancrav is very well preserved due to its isolated location, 13 km down a wooden valley, in the heart of Tarnava Mare. The Lutheran church set on the hillside above the village was built in the 14th century and houses the oldest entire altarpiece still in its original location in Transylvania.
From Dumbraveni we will cycle around 13 km to discover one of the most beautiful remote villages of Transylvania, Cund, a small village where the German community renovated the old houses, bringing 3-4* luxury life in this hidden part of the world. It seems as the village is being brought back to life in perfect harmony with the old traditions of the place.
Accommodation in the renovated houses of Cund.

Today we are going to visit one of the most well known fortified churches included in the UNESCO World Heritage, Biertan.  Biertan/Birthaelm lies at the western side of the Tarnava Mare region and is a key visitor attraction. The village of Biertan is one of the oldest settlements in Transylvania and it was first mentioned in 1283. It has an impressive heavily fortified gothic church with Renaissance elements in the centre of the village. For about 300 years it was the seat of the Lutheran bishops.
Leaving Biertan we are going to pass first Atel village and the village of Brateiu, known for its 14th century fortified church. Picnic lunch near Alma, close to the river side.
At the end of the day we will reach the city of Medias/Mediasch.
Originally an Iron Age and then a Roman settlement, Medias was a predominantly Saxon town for many centuries, walled and with gate towers, two of which remain on Strada Closca. 1918 it began to develop an industrial and Romanian character, stemming from political changes after World War I and the construction here of Transylvanias first gas pipeline. However, a fortress, many churches and museums remain and worth paying a visit.
If there is enough time in the evening, the guests will be invited to a wine tasting event, in a nice area around Tarnaveni. Accommodation in Medias area.

Today we will be cycling to one of the most important cities in Romania and the Cultural Capital of Europe in 2007, Sibiu. On the way, we will stop to visit the fortified church in Tapu and Ocna Sibiului resort. Ocna Sibiului, an old resort with salted waters is currently being renovated and might be an option for spending the night here.
You will have a short evening walking tour through Sibiu(visit the Old Town, the Medieval Fortress, the Brukenthal Museum). Accommodation and farewell dinner in Sibiu/Ocna Sibiului.

End of the trip