Transylvania Ecotourism Workshop

Laslea Village

A full report is available now on our website.

INTBAU undertook a one week workshop on ecotourism in Laslea - a Saxon village of Transylvania - in May 2005. The aim of the workshop was to map the tourist attractions of the area and to analyse the ecotourism possibilities of the region. The programme was open to architects, students in architecture, conservationists as well as to those working in agro-tourism, walking, riding or were interested in flora, fauna or heritage tours.

Mapping the area

Laslea

The municipality of Laslea is formed of five Saxon villages, located in a very rich architectural region. The villages were founded 700 years ago by the Saxons, and were formed a very active and lively community. After the collapse of communism in Romania, in December 1989, the vast majority of Saxons left the area, emmigrating to Germany. However the tourism potential remains.

The INTBAU workshop focused on mapping the existing cultural heritage attractions, such as the fortified Saxon churches, the walking paths or the hunting possibilities. The participants worked together to produce a sustainable tourism development plan, with the support of the Laslea Commune.

A group of students in architecture collected information on some of the most representative Saxon houses from the area. Subsequently their work will be included in a INTBAU Pattern Book on Transylvanian vernacular architecture.

As part of this workshop the participants visited Sighisoara, a beautiful Baroque fortified town, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the final evening of the workshop, 7 May 2005, the participants were invited to join a village theatrical production, held in Laslea's public assembly hall (Casa de Cultura), that celebrated the traditional Romanian wedding ceremony.

The project was financed through the Norwegian Directorate of Cultural Heritage, PREM Project (Preparing a Romanian Village for EU Membership).

Ecotourism in Transylvania

Sighisoara view

Transylvania - located in Western Romania - attracts a significant number of visitors every year, thanks to its landscape, culture, heritage sites and ultimately the links with the Dracula myth. Throughout the province there are many churches, castles and palaces, which have unique architectural features. The Saxon villages - located mostly in Sibiu county - are described by many as being remarkable, thanks to their "unspoilt harmony between people and landscape".

Many charities from Romania and abroad, such as the Mihai Eminescu Trust, are involved in restoration and rehabilitation programmes. The MET insists that "tourism in the villages [must] be developed with great care, so as not to damage, in the long term, the very reason for which the visitors love to come".

Tourism is developing rapidly in many town and cities of Transylvania. However, the tourism in many Saxon villages is yet, largely undeveloped, despite the beautiful landscape. The Mihai Eminescu Trust's representatives say: "If tourism itself results in the loss of landscape management and a fundamental change in the way of life of the villages, ultimatelly the tourist attraction and the tourism revenue will dry up."

INTBAU was able to offer 6 scholarships to cover the expenses of the six Romanian participants at the workshop.

If you have any queries about this or other INTBAU programmes, please contact INTBAU.