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To Be or Not to Be Dark? Tourists’ Voices on Visiting the Hill Church Cemetery, Sighișoara (Romania)

Author

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  • Viorel Mionel
  • Oana Mionel

Abstract

Sighișoara, dominated by iconic sights such as the Clock Tower and the legend of Dracula, is complemented by the lesser-known Hill Church Cemetery. The lack of academic information dedicated to cemetery tourism in Romania motivated a detailed analysis of this cemetery. Our study is based on the analysis of comments on online platforms (TripAdvisor, Google Maps) using the Leximancer program. The results reveal a counterintuitive picture of the cemetery. Unlike other dark attractions, the Hill Church Cemetery stands out for its unique, relaxing and peaceful atmosphere, devoid of negative feelings. Its transformation into a garden cemetery has diluted the dark tourism label, making it an attractive destination for a wide range of visitors. Our research contributes to a better understanding of cemetery tourism in Romania and of the tourism potential of the Hill Church Cemetery.

Suggested Citation

  • Viorel Mionel & Oana Mionel, 2026. "To Be or Not to Be Dark? Tourists’ Voices on Visiting the Hill Church Cemetery, Sighișoara (Romania)," Journal of Balkan and Near Eastern Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(2), pages 306-325, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:cjsbxx:v:28:y:2026:i:2:p:306-325
    DOI: 10.1080/19448953.2025.2581960
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