This time the story begins in Germany and not in Romania: Mike and Marion, dedicated to working in large companies, living the cosmopolitan and hurried life of big cities. They arrived in Romania many years ago, following their jobs, deciding in the end that Bucharest was not exactly the place where they wanted to stay, after all the time living the urban life. Arriving one day to Transylvania, they fell in love with all the lands with stories, traditions, the eternity of the world and even more, with the Saxon villages, where they certainly found themselves. They decided to completely change their lives and move here.”It has been so good that the things happened in this order. Probably if we had not lived the real experience of being in the big cities, we would not have enjoyed the taste of the village or we would not have felt the need to find our place here “, reveals Marion, who today seems a real host of Transylvania, active, smiling, cooking wonderfully, blending beautifully with the village of Alma Vii. She sweetens the appearance with the lovely pronunciation of some words in Romanian, such as “da”, “mulțumesc”, “gutui”, “vișinată” and some other.
In the heart of Transylvania, a beautiful start in the discovery of Saxon lands
Today Alma-Via is a beautiful traditional guesthouse of Saxon origin, carefully restored and transformed, for three years, from an old household, specific to the Saxon villages of the area. Clearly located in the heart of Transylvania, between Sibiu and Mediaș, Alma-Via can be a beautiful starting point in discovering the unique Transylvania. The imposing gate, which always hides a different story and world, this time opens our eyes directly in front of an old barn, today a restaurant, built instead of the original one. The beautiful old beams combine surprisingly with the large, modern windows, through which the light and colors of each season penetrate charmingly.
Each of the five rooms tells a story, with different details, traditional furniture, windows, natural materials and objects inside, all going back in time to 1871.
Spend your time on the terrace or inside the restaurant, the beautiful old reinterpreted barn. Modern elements, such as windows or lamps and lights, blend so nicely with traditional beams. Above the restaurant you find a comfortable sofa and two armchairs, with such a beautiful view of the property. Outside see the beautiful green space in the garden and above, on a small hill behind the barn, where the nature continues its course and beauty. Find a peaceful moment to spend in nature, breathe the wild air, stay in the sun for a while, admire the amazing view of the Fortified Church of Alma Vii, right on the hill. In the village you can rent bicycles, go hiking, cart trails or have a classic picturesque picnic in the forests of the area.
German and Transylvanian cuisine
Marion will surprise you, as she really embodies a perfect blend between the German and Transylvanian cooking styles. We had one of the best dining experiences in a Saxon guesthouse, with amazing traditional dishes, in the same time lightly cooked, just as we like it: traditional sausages, home made pork tenderloin, celery snitzel for vegetarians and delicious plum tart with nuts and cinnamon. A feast.
Saved heritage
The first stop must be at the beautiful Fortified Church of Alma Vii, right in front of the guesthouse. The church is listed among the famous buildings in Biertan or Viscri. Dating back to the early 1300s, the Fortified Church has been developed over the centuries, becoming a true ensemble. Starting with 2016 it was taken over and renovated by Mihai Eminescu Trust and transformed into a museum. Today the church is renovated with funds provided by the United States of America Embassy.
In the commune of Moșna, which also includes the village of Alma Vii, there is a 14th century church worth visiting for its defence towers and high walls. In the same time, 16 km from Alma Vii, in Biertan, the Fortified Church that appears on the UNESCO World Heritage List is a wonderful construction that must be admired, with an impressive architecture and story. Other objectives are the Fortified Church from Valea Viilor, also included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sighișoara fortress, 45 km from Alma Vii or Mediaș, the old town with many old houses and colourful facades.
We were happy to see a different story this time, listen to it, feel it in a different way. It is not always about Romanians who miss the village and traditions or about those who retire to Romanian villages for a quiet life, but Romania and especially Transylvania tells stories in all languages, cultures, regardless the forms of knowledge under which we manifest as human beings. Transylvania attracts through its splendid uniqueness people who did not grow up on its lands, somehow in a magical way, all in search of the eternity offered by such a life.
Marion and Mike’s story once again gave us hope: we have so much to offer and not only to ourselves, but also to others: experiences, images, vivid colors, sincerity, value, tradition, heritage. Sometimes we feel the need to choose peace instead of the fast pace, the sunset clearly seen on the hill instead of the tall buildings of the future, good and warm words, physical work, healthy effort, the fresh air. And not only once did we happen to discover Romania more beautifully, through Others.Contact Alma Via Guesthouse, Strada Principală 101, Sibiu County
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