Day 32 ROMANIA Sighisoara

We had the most fortunate events today. We did a little drive to both UNESCO World Heritage destinations, Biertan Citadel and Malancrav Fortified Church.
Biertan Citadel was the Seat of the Bishopric Transylvanian Saxon since the Reformation. The Church is surrounded by three fortified walls with parapet walks and 6 fortified towers and 2 bastions. Built in the 14th century to house the inhabitants in the face of danger and to protect during a siege. One bastion was used later as a Marriage Prison where unhappy couples were placed behind bars to work out their differences with 1 single bed, 1 small table, 1 chair and 1 spoon. They were only let out when they sorted their differences and got along.

Having missed the turn to the fortified church at tiny Malancrav town, we decided to do a cook's tour first then drive up the the Fortified Church by the back way. We checked the route in Google, only to be told for the first time Temporarily Closed. That did not show when we were looking at information on the church last night. As we were already there, we were going to just walk around the outside to see what we could see. This is the first of our fortunate events. Just as we arrived at the outer gate of the fortification, and were reading a sign on how to get in when a gentleman emerged with a handful of enormous keys to the church. He kindly let us in though he seemed like he was locking up to leave. The Church's main attraction was stunning frescos that were well preserved even though the church was Lutheran and built in the second half of the 14th century.
The second of our fortunate events was that when we were at a PUNCT Gastronomical restaurant, not only was the food so good and delicious but we witnessed a special celebration for a 1 year little girl's birthday. First there was a selection ritual where the little girl had to choose from a tray with a car key, a roll of cash and a mobile phone. Straight away little Angelina's hand picked the roll of cash, then mobile and finally car keys. Then there was the cutting of a lock of hair ceremony. The lock of hair was sealed into a special box with wax dripped from a candle from church. We were also given a generous slice of her birthday cake.
This PUNCT Gastronomical restaurant was very generous and kept offering wine, water, coffee, more desserts and more just about anything you wanted. There was a jug placed on the table with the lemonade and I told Ruby it was syrup and she poured a large measure into her glass of lemonade only to find out it was more palinca, the local 50% spirit made from apples. She had already drunk half the short glass in front of her. It's also the first restaurant where we've had butter with our bread. Ruby got the recipe of the cabbage salad that was served with our pork with mushroom sauce and 2 mountains of mashed potatoes.
Needless to say we did not need to have dinner tonight.
Walked 5.1kmRead more