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SIGHISOARA / SCHAESSBURG
In the third century BC, at the present location of Sighisoara, there was a castle named "Sandova". Its significance has been proven by the many weapons, ceramics and other objects discovered here. Above the old castle the Romans raised a new one in the 1st Century. The place was well-chosen--in the centre of Transylvania.
At the beginning of the 15th century, between 1431-1435, Sighisoara supported the principality of Muntenia in the occupation of the throne of Tara Romanesca. Muntenia, or Greater Wallachia, is a historical province of Romania situated between the Danube, the Carpathian Mountains and the Olt River, usually considered Wallachia-proper. Muntenia, Tara Romaneasca and the seldom used Valahia are synonyms in Romanian. The coins made here were used widely in the whole of Transylvania.
In 1511 the greatest revolution in Transylvania's history occurred when the poor people living in the town revolted against the rich. Mihai Viteazul (Michael the Brave -who was the Prince of Wallachia between 1593 and 1601) was also in Sighisoara on his way to Alba Iulia in 1600, before he proclaimed the union of the 3 principalities: Wallachia, Transylvania, and Moldavia.

An important factor in the history of Sighisoara was the â??Dieta Transilvaniei". Many years ago this "Dieta Transilvaniei" voted Gheorghe Rakoczi the first leader of Transylvania.
Sighisoara had a period of glory, as it became an important centre of arts. Sculptors and painters from the south of Germany and Austria, as well as natives like Elias Nicolai, contributed to the prosperity of the town. In the 17th Century Sighisoara lived through hard times. In historical documents many disasters were recorded: siege, hunger, plague, inundation, earthquakes and fire.
In the 19th Century the 1848 revolt led to some dreadful scenes of fighting in the region of the Tarnava rivers. In 1849 Petofi Sandor, one of the greatest Hungarian revolutionaries, fell in the battle of Albesti. An imposing statue has been erected in his memory at Albesti.
After the First World War the oppressed nations began to request their freedom. At a meeting in Alba Iulia in December 1918 the union of Transylvania with Romania was declared.

Documentary movie - 15 EUR
Johann Schaas, curator of the Saxon church in Richiş (Germ. Reichesdorf, Reichersdorf, Hungarian Riomfalva) shares his beautiful memories using the Saxon dialect, about Transylvanian places that he loved and refused to leave, although it was against the historical constellation of the time. Documentary movie, 52 minutes. Subtitles: Romanian, English, German, French, Italian, Hungarian.















