Renovations worth EUR 4 million are to begin in the historic citadel of Segesvár (Sighișoara, Schäßburg). The municipality will refurbish a building located in the medieval town and modernize a street leading to the citadel thanks to a successful European Union tender, the Székelyhon.ro news portal reported.
While last year, in early May, the city of Segesvár won a non-refundable grant of EUR 2 million to modernize public lighting, almost exactly a year later, another contract worth EUR 4 million was signed by the mayor in office, Iulian Sîrbu.
The building the city is about to renovate is a well-known cultural and concert venue in Segesvár, the Mihai Eminescu Culture Hall, which includes a large auditorium and administrative offices. With the help of the non-refundable grant, the building will be refurbished both inside and out, including its gateway and balconies on the façade.
Segesvár will also use part of the money to modernize the street named after the Romanian historian Nicolae Bălcescu, which leads to the main square of the historic city. The pavement of natural stones is incomplete in many places and has potholes. Not only will the street be refurbished along its entire length, 26 parking spaces will be created as well, Székelyhon.ro wrote.
The total value of the tender, which was submitted to the Central Development Region of Gyulafehérvár (Alba-Iulia), is EUR 4.14; a full 98 percent of this amount will be funded by the non-refundable EU grant, while the municipality must cover the rest. The large-scale investment must be completed by the end of 2023.
Segesvár, located in Maros (Mureş) County in central Transylvania, is a highly popular tourist destination due to its old medieval town, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Segesvár was built by the German craftsmen and merchants invited by the kings of Hungary to settle in Transylvania in the 12th century. These Germans became known as the Transylvanian Saxons. In the 14th century, Segesvár became a free royal city, subordinated directly to the King of Hungary, and was bestowed the privilege of being extended and fortified. Thus, during the 14th and 15th centuries, a fortified stronghold was built by the Saxons – today’s historical citadel, which still has nine towers out of the original 14.
Title image: The distinct beauty of the historical town of Segesvár is due to its medieval buildings, cobbled streets and steep, narrow alleys.
Source: Primăria Sighişoara/Facebook
