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0845 3000 247 +44 (0)1539 531258 |
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These holidays support the valuable work of the Mihai Eminescu Trust in the conservation and regeneration of 'Saxon' villages & communities |
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HIGHLIGHTS |
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Cisnadie (Heltau) Cisnadioara (Michelsberg) Cristian (Grossau) Sibiel Glass Icons Seica Mica (Kleinschelken) Valea Viilor (Würmloch) Mosna (Meschen) Biertan (Bïrthälm) Medias (Mediasch) Bagaciu (Bogeschdorf) Crit (Deutschkreuz), Cloasterf (Klosdorf), Malâncrav (Malmkrog) Viscri (Deutschweisskirch) Homorod (Hamruden) Sibiu (Hermannstadt) Bruckental Museum Astra Village Museum Piatra Mare Liars Bridge Railway Museum Sighisoara (Schässburg) Clock Tower & Museum Walls & Fortifications Covered Staircase Church on the Hill Vlad Dracula House |
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TRAVEL |
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Recommended Flight Schedules Malev to Târgu Mures Heathrow 07:50-Budapest 11:20/ Budapest13:10-Targu Mures 15:05 Târgu Mures 15:50-Budapest 15:50/ Budapest 18:50-Heathrow 20:35 Tarom now fly direct from Gatwick to Cluj twice weekly and three times per week from Heathrow to Sibiu, and twice weekly from Heathrow to Târgu Mures, both via Bucharest Otopeni. Carpatair fly from Stuttgart & Treviso via Timisoara to Sibiu; Tarom fly from Munich to Sibiu Frequent trains from Bucharest to Sighisoara & Sibiu (5 hours); it is possible to connect with some flights at Bucharest. Trains from Budapest & Vienna call at Sighisoara; frequent trains from Cluj to Sighisoara, and Brasov to Sibiu & Sighisoara |
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Read Mark Rowe's excellent feature about the villages of Saxon Transylvania in the Independent on Sunday (15.05.2005) |
Holidays in Malâncrav Manor, Saxon Transylvania
Mihai Eminescu Trust
to provide guest accommodation for small groups from 2008
VILLAGE HOLIDAYS SIBIU REGION BRASOV REGION FLIGHTS GETTING ABOUT CAR HIRE CONTACT US0845 3000 247
+44 (0)1539 531258
According to legend the lost children of Hamelin emerged from the Almasch (Varghis) cave into Transylvania - just to the north of Baraolt. This is the 'romantic'explanation for what was, for many centuries a strange phenomenon: the presence of blond-haired, blue-eyed, German-speakers following ancient customs, yet isolated by hundreds of miles from Germany. The reality is that the fortified towns and villages of Transylvania were established in the 12th Century by settlers from the Moselle region, referred to locally as 'Saxons'. They were tempted to Transylvania by favourable market rights by the Hungarian rulers who wanted them there to guard the mountain passes against Tatar and Ottoman raiders. They created the 'Siebenbürgen', the seven fortified cities, while in villages they constructed fortified churches in which they could shelter during times of siege. Some of these churches are massive structures. The villages are often remote and although vestiges of the original populations may remain, clinging on to age-old traditions, many of them are in serious danger of losing their character as churches crumble. Various restoration projects have been initiated to rebuild the communities and to attract back some of the original inhabitants - many fled during the Communist years whilst after the 1989 Revolution the open door extended by Germany attracted many more to leave their way of life for the bright lights of the West. UNESCO has designated several of these villages and the mediaeval citadel of Sighisoara as Heritage Sites.
RESTORATION OF THE SAXON VILLAGES OF TRANSYLVANIA
Of considerable importance is the tireless work carried out by the Mihai Eminescu Trust. The Trust is dedicated to the conservation and regeneration of villages and communes in Transylvania and the Maramures, and has been concentrating on a project to restore life to the the Saxon villages in Transylvania since 1995 . The aim of their Whole Village Project is to keep this fascinating, but often crumbling, legacy for future generations, helping local craftsman to re-learn forgotten skills and showing the villagers how to combine their heritage with a more modern approach. The Trust's first Whole Village Projects are in the Saxon villages in the area bounded by Sibiu-Medias-Sighisoara-Brasov, where the unique architecture of the houses and churches and the social cohesion of the villages are both under immediate threat owing to the emigration of the majority of Saxons. These villages are often remote and although vestiges of the original population remain, clinging on to age-old traditions, many of them are in serious danger of losing their character as churches and dwellings fall into disrepair or are targetted by art thieves. Besides repair and conservation, theTrust is helping with sympathetic economic development, believing that the future of these villages should be intimately linked with their past.
The Trust is at present concentrating on two areas - the villages close to Viscri and close to Malancrav - approximately 40 miles apart which can be reached on foot or horseback, following cart tracks through the forest and valleys, and intervening villages. These are outlined below, for further information including restoration progress reports please refer to the excellent Mihai Eminescu Trust website: www.mihaieminescutrust.org
XAPAFI MANOR HOUSE, MALÂNCRAV
Responsible Travel Awards 2004
The Mihai Eminescu Trust (MET), a British charity working
in the beautiful Saxon villages of Transylvania, won
the 2004 Responsible Tourism Award for Innovation,
given by responsibletravel.com in association with
The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine.
The awards were presented on10th November, 2004
at the World Travel Market.
The METs original approach to cultural conservation
and tourism, embodied in its Whole Village Project,
was recognised by a panel of judges as the most innovative
responsible tourism policy of the year, out of a
total of 700 nominees and 180 short-listed organisations.
THE MIHAI EMINESCU TRUST
63 Hillgate Place, London W8 7SS
T: 020 7229 7618; F: 020 7792 9998
www.mihaieminescutrust.org
The Manor House has now been restored as near as possible to its 18th century layout and is ideal as a venue for weddings in addition to it being availble to rent out as accommodation for small groups on a weekly basis. There are also several other houses which have been restored and three of them are available to tourists.
...........
"Fortresses of Faith" by Alan Ogden
A Pictorial hstory of the Fortified Saxon Churches of Romania This is a superb photographic record.
Available from:
John Sandoe (Books) Ltd, 10 Blacklands Terrace,
Chelsea, London SW3 2RB; Tel. 020 7589 9473
Transylvania uncovered
is a Division of BCD Meetings & Incentives
1 Atkinson Court, Fell Foot, Newby Bridge, Cumbria, United Kingdom LA12 8NW
Tel. +44 (0)1539 531258 or UK local rate: 0845 3000 247; Email. [email protected]
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Copyright © 2007 Transylvania Uncovered - the Romania Travel Specialists