From Sibiu 1 day tour: Trascau region – Valisoarei gorges

Alba Carolina, a Vauban star shaped fortress build in 18th century, at its time the strongest Austrian fortress in Transylvania. The 12 km length walls still stand tall today, making it a unique military architectural piece in Europe. Also known as Karlzburg after the Austrian-Hungarian king, Karol the VIth, the fortress holds inside its walls the main touristic attractions of Alba-Iulia, one of which stands out: St. Michael cathedral, a valuable architectural monument in Transylvania, with the same age as its sister in Paris, the Notre Dame.

Coltesti fortress build in 13th century on a limestone hill as defense against the Tatars which have previously caused damages to the village of Coltesti and Rimetea. For 3 centuries the fortress was home of Thorocskay, a noble family, which disappeared from history together with its stone build home for political reasons: they stood against the annexing of Transylvania to the Habsburg empire. Today, two towers remain standing: the oldest and the youngest waiting for visitors.

“It was pleasantly quiet here” that’s what most tourists say about this place. A former mining village today a monument-village which managed to keep and conserve its heritage, the architectural values of old times, awarded in 1999 the “Europa nostra” distinction for rural restoration: each house declared a historical monument has to be preserved, restored according to its initial neoclassic architecture.

“The smaller Rome” as Romanian poet Eminescu called it, this small city played an important role in Romanian history. Blaj was the cultural center of Transylvania and its Scoala Ardeleana, an educational system build and formed here, started a national awakening and emancipation in Transylvania, followed by a national movement in 18th century. Access to education in its native tongue, Romanian, changed the life of a generation and the course of history for Transylvania, with Blaj as its leader city.

“The Gothic Evangelical Church of Seica Mica was built in 15th century. The lodge was three ships and a bell tower and an elongated choir. The church had two alters build in 1552 and 1762, one stolen in 1999, the current one made from marble.