The Covered Staircase: the schoolchildren's stairway in Sighișoara
Why Sighișoara built a covered wooden staircase, how many steps it has today, where it leads and practical tips for the climb.
The covered staircase was built to protect schoolchildren on their way to the School on the Hill. Today it is still one of the most atmospheric stops in town: a long, sloping wooden tunnel that links the lower part of the citadel with the top of the hill.
Why a covered staircase
The school and the Church on the Hill stand on the highest point of the citadel. In winter the steep path became slippery and hard to climb, so in the middle of the 17th century the town built a covered wooden staircase. Sources give different years for its completion: travel guides say 1642, while the historic monument record says 1656. The Germans call it the Schülertreppe, the "schoolchildren's stairs", and the name stuck in Romanian too.
From 300 steps to about 175
Originally the staircase had around 300 steps. After alterations in 1849 about 175 remained (some sources count 178). It has a stone foundation, wooden walls and a shingle roof, and here and there side windows open views over the citadel's roofs.
Where it takes you
- The School on the Hill, which still works as a high school today.
- The Church on the Hill, the Gothic church at the top of the hill: https://ghid.exploresighisoara.ro/en/obiectiv/biserica-din-deal
- The medieval cemetery behind the church, one of the quietest places in town: https://ghid.exploresighisoara.ro/en/obiectiv/cimitirul-medieval
Tips
- Access to the staircase is free.
- The climb takes a few minutes, but the steps are high and can be wet. Shoes with good grip matter.
- With a pushchair or reduced mobility the staircase is difficult. There is also a longer way up by the street.
- For photos without people, come early in the morning.
The story of the staircase in the audio guide: https://ghid.exploresighisoara.ro/en/obiectiv/scara-acoperita
Sources
Information checked on 12 October 2026.
- The Covered Staircase (Visit Mureș): https://visitmures.com/en/blog/the-medieval-citadel-of-sighisoara
- The Covered Staircase (Wikipedia, in Romanian): https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scara_acoperit%C4%83_din_Sighi%C8%99oara