A Day in the Life of Viscri, Romania

Posted by Carly Fillis 12th September 2017
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The sunrise rises at 6.43am and like clockwork, the cows and horses are released from their individual homes, clip clopping out of their barns and onto the main, gravelled road leading out of the village. They all veer left, and slowly make their way up to the dew-laden pastures which glint in the early morning light, ready for their day chewing the cud in the sun. This vision perfectly sums up the laid-back way of life in Viscri, or 'Deutsch Weisskirch' - a traditional and picturesque Saxon village in Brasov county, about 50km from Sighisoara.

Horse and cart make their way up and down the road, carrying goods and produce to other parts of the village, a few carry the handful of tourists that take time to explore this picturesque part of Romania. The tourists are probably heading up into the hills, through the lush green forests to seek out blacksmiths and farriers and all those traditions that make Brasov seem a land that time forgot.

Heading back down into the village the carts trot pass a few ladies knitting, and selling handmade socks, hats and pottery. One of the oldest churches in Transylvania can be found here, it was built in the 13th century and makes a perfect picture. Its the tower provides a stunning panoramic view of endless meadows, well worth the climb.

Lunch beckons, salads, soups, cheeses, bread, meats... and of course Horinca, the local plum brandy. All the food, except the oil and sugar is completely natural, made in the village itself...and you can certainly taste it's delicious homemade-ness.

The UNESCO world heritage site is home to one of Prince Charles lesser known and slightly smaller estates, it was "restored whilst preserving its Transylvanian Saxon traditional particularities"  and it certainly doesn't detract from the peasants rural way of life in this village that remains culturally unique, seeming as if the industrial revolution and communism passed them by...

The Mihai Eminescu Trust has over 300 projects in the area salvaging and restoring many of the traditional buildings since 1999, hoping to encourage outsiders to move to a simpler way of life, and it does look tempting! Wandering around the town, waving to the locals and peeking in gardens qorks up our appetite for another fantastic organic evening meal.

And at 19.50 in the evening, again like clockwork, as the sun sets over another idyllic day, the cows and horses make their way back down the gravel path, this time some stop at the central water trough, as if having a last minute chat of the day. Until the next morning when they will meet again on the gravel path leading to the meadows in the sun.

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