Sighisoara: I Heart Dracula

Sighisoara, pronounced "siggy-shwarwa" (possibly) is a medieval citadel, a walled city, that dates back to the 12th century. More famously, it is the birthplace of Vlad Tepes, otherwise known as Dracula, who tooled around here as a tot. One wintry Sunday, we took a drive out to Sighisoara through the sweeping vistas of the Carpathian mountains and colorful Romanian villages. Sighisoara was a fotress, and you must pass beneath the massive clock tower to enter; it gives you the feeling of stepping back in time, especially when you encounter what's inside, vivid 16th century burgher houses, narrow cobblestone streets and haunting churches.

Snow left the city deserted, a perfect backdrop.

A reindeer juts out of a wall, we didn't get it either...

Scara acoperita, the covered stairway; 172 steps lead to the Gothic Church on the Hill.

Here it is...

Super jet set Sedra entertains the people.

Don't you love Bruce's day-glo traffic-proof construction coat.

Everyone's favorite vampire.

Speaking of the devil, that's Dracula's house there in yellow. He was born in it and raised there until the age of four. Dracula was actually a guy known as Vlad Tepes (Tepes meaning "impaler"), the 15th century prince of Wallachia, who supposedly never dined without a Turk writhing on a stick nearby. Appetizing. Dracula seems to have become the Colonel Sanders of Romania, his visage is everywhere and sort of tarted up. Read more about him here.

Our friend and temporary housemate SJ in big D's house.

Another view of the clock tower.

Pigeons perching.