Escape to myself

An early start on the 7.00 am train this morning for a day trip to this town in the south. A two hour journey of 50 miles, the train stopped at every station and little halt where passengers waited by the line and literally clambered aboard. But at £6 return I’m not complaining. The countryside was interesting; maize seemed to be the main crop with sheep and cattle. Little hamlets scattered about many with small plots of land with orchards and vegetables being grown. The land by the railway was peaty and marshy with hills rising in the distance. As I neared Sibiu the snow covered Transylvanian Alps appeared.

Sibiu is an ancient town founded in the 12th century by German settlers moved in by the Hungarian Crown to stabilise the borders against the Ottomans. This resulted in fortified towns like Sighisoara and Sibiu and villages with fortified churches. Subsequently the Ottomans conquered the area but allowed Transylvanian Germans a large amount of autonomy in government and religion. in the 1520s the area embraced Lutheranism. Later the area was regained by Hungary and Austria before Transylvania’s independence and joining with Romania in the 19th century. Now few Germans remain many having been either deported or emigrated after WW2. It still feels very German although Romanians form the majority now. All religions are represented by churches and synagogues of different eras and architectural styles.

The town is rather arresting with its ancient buildings and town fortifications. Cobbled streets lined with ancient buildings and spacious squares define the Lower and Upper Towns.