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³§¾±²µ³ó¾±ÅŸ´Ç²¹°ù²¹'s delightful medieval buildings are enclosed within its citadel, a Unesco-listed complex of protective walls and watchtowers. Walking in the…
Matt Munro
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So resplendent are ³§¾±²µ³ó¾±ÅŸ´Ç²¹°ù²¹â€™s pastel-coloured buildings, stony lanes and medieval towers, you’ll rub your eyes in disbelief. Fortified walls encircle ³§¾±²µ³ó¾±ÅŸ´Ç²¹°ù²¹â€™s lustrous merchant houses, now harbouring cafes, hotels and craft shops. Lurking behind the gingerbread roofs and turrets of the Unesco-protected old town is the history of Vlad Å¢epeÅŸ, the bloodthirsty, 15th-century Wallachian prince. He was allegedly born here, in a house that is visitable to this day. Å¢epeÅŸ is best remembered as Vlad the Impaler, or Dracula, fuelling a local industry of vampire-themed souvenirs.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
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Vlad Ţepeş (aka Dracula) was reputedly born in this house in 1431 and lived here until the age of four. It's now a decent restaurant, but for a small…
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The multicoloured-tiled roof of ³§¾±²µ³ó¾±ÅŸ´Ç²¹°ù²¹â€™s Clock Tower glitters like the scales of a dragon. The tower was built in the 14th century and expanded 200…
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Don't miss hiking up the covered stairway to 'School Hill' (418m) to admire this evocative late-Gothic, triple-naved church. Originally a 13th-century…
Church of the Dominican Monastery
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This late-Gothic church has a spooky air, and guards a trove of baroque finery inside. First mentioned in 1298, the church was rebuilt between 1482 and…
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Built in 1896, after the demolition of the Franciscan convent, St Joseph's thoroughly modern appearance owes to a fire and complete restoration carried…
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From Piaţa Cetăţii, turn south up Str Şcolii to reach the 176-step covered stairway, which has tunnelled its way up the hill since 1642. With light…
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The top-heavy Tinsmiths' Tower is one of the most easily recognisable, both for its height (25m) and its octagonal upper level. A siege in 1704 left scars…