Cetatea Rupea

Rupea Citadel, perched on a basalt ridge above the town of the same name, between Brașov and Sighișoara, sits on one of Romania's oldest inhabited sites, with traces of settlement going back thousands of years. The medieval fortress we see today grew between the 14th and 17th centuries as a Saxon peasant citadel, a refuge to which the community withdrew in times of danger. It has three concentric enclosures — upper, middle and lower — linked by walls, towers and courtyards climbing the rock in stages. Extensively restored, the citadel now offers an attractive visiting route and wide views over the Transylvanian plateau.

Its silhouette, especially at sunset, is among the most photogenic in the area. It is a good stop on the road between Brașov and Sighișoara, easily combined with the surrounding Saxon villages. Wear comfortable shoes for the climb and check the schedule, reduced in winter.