Viscri

Viscri was a small backwater Saxon village in Transylvania before being transformed with the help of the Mihai Eminescu Trust (and our King Charles!) into an enterprising example of maintaining a traditional life style. A number of the farm houses have been renovated for tourists and farming and cottage industries encouraged. It is now a UNESCO-listed site.

The tour group each stayed in a different charming old wooden farmhouse. Ours was very quaint and to be honest had fairly basic facilities. It did though make a good change from staying in hotels.

Romania 2026 Photos:

Romania Index

Moldavia

Transylvania

• Exploring Transylvania
• Viscri
• Sighisoara
• Sibiu
• Brasov

Wallachia

We had a horse & cart ride through the village and surrounding farmland before a visit to a blacksmith & and the fortified church set on a dominating hillside. The then Prince Charles bought two adjoining farmhouses (on a BOGOF offer?) in 2006 which of course made Viscri a destination for tourists. And why not!

1302 Viscri

The main street

1303 Viscri

The farmhouses are colourfully decorated

1306 Viscri

Outside our farmhouse
Note the Mihai Eminescu Trust logo by the house number

1309 Viscri

In our courtyard

1307 Viscri

1316 Viscri

Some of this farming equipment is still used

1304 Viscri

This nest was near our farmhouse on the main street

1312 Viscri

Our evening meal was interrupted by the cows returning
They each seem to know which farmhouse to head to

1321 Viscri

Our morning cart ride through the village
No seat belts – just hang on

1322 Viscri

Very leisurely & relaxing
The foal kept close by its mare

1324 Viscri

Outside the village with a view of the fortified church on the hill

1325 Viscri

The Blacksmith

The fortified church complex is one of the best preserved in Romania. Its museum had lots of snippets describing medieval life for the community. For instance it described how each of the surrounding families were responsible for identifying and storing their own supplies so that if there was an attack, the villagers could hold out in the event of a long siege.

1331 Viscri

The fortified entrance

1332 Viscri

1335 Viscri

The rather small church

1333 Viscri

From one of the defensive towers, looking in

1337 Viscri

From one of the defensive towers, looking out

1336a Viscri

Ann & I standing on the Stone of Shame

1338 Viscri

In the tiny museum this is an example of a traditional “bunk” bed.
The young newly weds sleep above & the parents pull out the lower bed to sleep below.
Not much privacy.

A few farmhouses down from where we stayed in Viscri was King Charles’ one – needless to say in immaculate condition compared to our more homely one.