Festival-goers can leave reality for a couple of days and plunge into a medieval atmosphere in Sighișoara or Sibiu where princesses wear long colorful dresses, knights fight with swords, craftsmen make leather shoes, jewelry, and other contemporary trinkets, troubadours recite their sweet love poetry, minstrels delight with their music, and a madwoman is accused of witchcraft and publicly burnt at the stake. Besides medieval music, dance, and theatre performances, one can watch horse shows and engage in sword battle tournaments, crafts, or cuisine workshops.
Romania has this historical heritage from the Saxon colonists who came here in the Middle Ages and built a number of towns in the region of Transylvania. Thus, Transylvanian medieval towns boast fine ancient architecture, featuring numerous castles, fortified churches, centuries-old houses, and citadels which often become the venue for festivals. The most prominent festival takes place in July in Sighisoara. Mediaș and Bistrita host medieval festivals in June, whereas some celebrate medieval culture in the second half of August.
Medieval Festival in Oradea (July 5-7, 2024)
The city with vibrant baroque architecture and strong Austro-Hungarian roots, Oradea, is located in the northwest of Romania, 54 miles (87 km) from Debrecen. Oradea flourished in the Middle Ages and Medieval Festival is a testament to that. Taking place at the Oradea Fortress, the event takes you back to the 15th century with historical reenactments, hunting games, and artisan fairs. Children can visit archery and pottery workshops, as well as witness magnificent performances of fire jugglers and folk dancers.
The highlight of the festival is definitely the spear tournament, first held in 2023. Despite its recent beginnings, it quickly won over the hearts of the spectators. Knights adorned in metal armor passionately fight as if in a real duel.
Festival Medieval in Mediaș (Mid-July, 2024)
Situated in Sibiu County in central Romania, the city of Mediaș brings back the aesthetic of Middle Ages through costumes, craft fairs and folk dancing, all included in Festival Medieval la Mediaș. The city has been hosting the event for two decades now and continues to up their game every year, with fire shows, honorary ceremonies and medieval games. One of the most-anticipated parts of the festival is the Medieval Parade, which usually departs from Piaţa Corneliu Coposu and stops at Hanul Greweln, the main venue for the celebration. The festival normally spans from 11 am to 9:30 pm.
Sighisoara Medieval Festival or Festivalul Sighişoara Medievală (July 26–28, 2024)
Every year, the Sighisoara Medieval Arts and Crafts Festival (Festivalul Sighişoara Medievală in Romanian) teleports its visitors back in time to see how local people lived back in the Middle Ages. For three days in late July, Sighişoara transforms into a medieval town with costumes, parades, historic reenactments, and live concerts. Spanning from 5 pm on July 26th to 6 pm on July 28th, the festivities include sword fights, parades, reenactments, medieval music, and dances. The entire event takes place at Sighișoara Citadel, the historic center of the city.
