Fun Facts about Transylvania

Here are just a few of the amazing things that make Transylvania the hidden gem that it is:

1. A Living Medieval Town

Sighișoara is one of the last inhabited medieval citadels in Europe. Families still live, work, and raise children inside the fortress walls, surrounded by towers, cobbled streets, and pastel houses.

2. Vampires Without Dracula

Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, never actually visited Transylvania. His depiction was pieced together from secondhand accounts. Locals do tell eerie tales—but they’re more likely to be about restless spirits, werewolves, or magical healers than about vampires.

3. Forests Untamed

Transylvania is home to some of Europe’s last great virgin forests. The Carpathians hold brown bears, lynx, and wolves. These woods aren’t just beautiful hiking trails—they’re ecological treasures.

4. Castles That Whisper Stories

Yes, Bran Castle is famous for its Dracula connection, but Transylvania has many more. From the gothic spires of Corvin Castle to the haunting ruins of Râșnov Fortress, each carries its own legends of sieges, betrayals, and survival.

5. Women at the Helm

Transylvania’s history is shaped by remarkable women. Doamna Stanca, wife of Michael the Brave, is remembered for her leadership in the 16th century. Queen Maria of Romania—often called “Mother of the Nation”—was instrumental in securing Transylvania’s union with Romania after WWI.

6. Chimney Cakes and Hearty Fare

Transylvanian food reflects its mix of cultures—Romanian, Hungarian, Saxon. A favorite treat is kürtőskalács (chimney cake), rolled dough roasted over coals and coated in caramelized sugar. Meals often center on soups, cabbage rolls, and bread fresh from the oven.

7. A Melting Pot of Cultures

For centuries, Romanians, Hungarians, Germans, Roma, and Jews have lived side by side in Transylvania. Each left marks on the region’s architecture, cuisine, and traditions, creating a unique cultural blend.

8. Churches with Teeth

The fortified churches of Transylvania, built by Saxon settlers, are UNESCO World Heritage sites. They weren’t just places of worship—they were strongholds where villagers could take shelter during invasions.

9. The Land of Festivals

From medieval fairs in Sighișoara to film festivals in Cluj-Napoca, Transylvania is alive with cultural events. Seasonal celebrations bring together music, food, and folklore, keeping traditions vibrant.

10. Transylvania on Screen

The gothic beauty of the region has caught Hollywood’s eye. Netflix’s Wednesday brought global attention to Cantacuzino Castle and the forests of the Carpathians, but other productions—from Cold Mountain to The Brothers Bloom—have also filmed here.

11. Language and Layers

Travel through Transylvania and you’ll hear Romanian, Hungarian, and German place names side by side. Cities like Brașov are known as Kronstadt in German and Brassó in Hungarian. The multilingual heritage is part of what makes the region so distinctive.

12. Nature and Healing

Transylvania is dotted with mineral springs and spa towns. For centuries, people have visited places like Sovata and Băile Tușnad to “take the waters,” believing in their restorative powers.