Transylvania (also called Ardeal in Romanian, Erdély in Hungarian, and Siebenbürgen in German), a land of myth shrouded in legend and with a very rich history, is one of the three main provinces of modern-day Romania. Its name derives from the large and wild forests expanding across the mountains surrounding it and means “beyond the forests”.

Padis Natural Reserve (foto: Horia Bogdan)

Historically, Transylvania was inhabited by a large number of nations, which have sometimes peacefully coexisted and other times less so. Throughout its tumultuous history, Transylvania was simultaneously inhabited by Romanians, Hungarians and Germans, making it a mix of these cultures while keeping their identity largely intact. Transylvania is the home of several UNESCO World Heritage Sites and reachly endowed with both unspoiled countryside and beautiful medieval towns with cobbled streets, impressive strongholds, castles and monumental churches.

Although Bram Stoker placed the plot of his famous Dracula novel in Transylvania, probably due to its mysterious forests and savage mountains, nobody has seen any vampires here... yet! More...

Bran Castle

Cluj-Napoca, also called Kolozsvár in Hungarian and Klausenburg in German, is considered the capital city of Transylvania. It was first mentioned in 107-108 AD, on the "milliarium of Aiton", but historians agree that the settlement predates the Roman conquest in 106 AD.

Due to its millenary existence and its rich history, Cluj-Napoca became a multicultural, multilingual city with a vibrant and exciting cultural life. With a diverse architecture that spans centuries of history, its old center is an attraction marked by narrow streets and cozy medieval buildings hosting small and welcoming coffee shops. The large palaces built during the Austro-Hungarian times borrow Vienna’s and Budapest’s cosmopolite atmosphere.

The city hosts both a Romanian and a Hungarian opera house and theatre, and is the place where TIFF, the most important film festival in Romania, is organized every year. Cluj is one of the most important academic centers in Romania, having six state universities and many more private ones (one in 4 people is a student). More...

St. Michael's Church in Cluj-Napoca

Located about 50 km from Cluj-Napoca, The Pike Lake is one of the most beautiful plain-lakes in Transylvania with clear fresh water resting on a bed of salt. The surface of the water spans 26 hectars and the depths reach approximately 10 m.

The lake hosts a variety of fish and borrows its name from the rich population of pikes. It is also a resting place on the path of migratory birds. More than 100 bird species have been spotted here, some very rare in Europe, while others still unlisted. Due to its diversified fauna, the lake and the surrounding area was declared a nature reserve in 1966.

It is believed that during Roman times the lake swallowed a settlement. When the water becomes very clear, rumors have it that one could see the roof of a basilica decorated with lenses, mirrors and tiny microdrives. Legend also tells that at the bottom of the lake there is a gate to another world, guarded by strange creatures. More...

Pike Lake (foto: Sebastian Florian)