Medieval costumes and parades fill Sighisoara streets in Romania

Thousands of visitors gathered in the central Romanian city of Sighisoara in Transylvania for a medieval festival featuring knights on horseback, period costumes, traditional music and combat demonstrations. The annual event transformed the UNESCO-listed old town into a stage for a glimpse of life in the Middle Ages, with parades passing through the citadel.

The festival lets visitors discover medieval armour, weapons and camps, while musicians play rare instruments such as the hurdy gurdy, a 14th-century instrument considered a precursor to the violin. Re-enactors also demonstrated historic fighting techniques with axes and spears.

Sighisoara's medieval heritage dates back to the 12th century, with locals highlighting the city's historic role as a fortified centre that helped protect nearby settlements in Transylvania.