Sibiu is an important city in Transylvania, whose wonderful downtown area houses numerous historical buildings and museums.
It once served as the cultural and commercial center for the Transylvanian Saxons. Nowadays, it is the capital of Sibiu County and was also the center of the Principality of Transylvania between 1692-1791 and 1849-65.
It is known for its culture, history, gastronomy, and varied architecture, which includes the large iconic-eyed houses that gave Sibiu its nickname. It is famous for its Christmas market as well.
An important transportation hub, the A1 motorway, connecting Bucharest and the southern-southwestern part of Transylvania, passes through here.
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Sibiu attractions
Main Square
Since the Middle Ages, the square has been the center of urban life, boasting numerous significant historical buildings.
Its features include colorful, Baroque, and Renaissance-style buildings among which the Holy Trinity Church and the Brukenthal Palace are the most important.
Holy Trinity Church
A prominent building on the north side of the Main Square.
Designed in a simple Baroque style in the 18th century, it underwent several modifications and renovations over the years, during which it was expanded and decorated.
Its interior is richly decorated, showcasing Baroque style elements along with Neoclassical ones.
Sibiu Lutheran Cathedral
Just a corner away from the Main Square stands the city’s most beautiful church.
Initially constructed in the 12th century, it gained its present form during the Gothic era. The church is a massive, three-aisled basilica with a high, ornate, slender tower.Its interior is impressive: huge pillars support the vault, and it has stained glass windows.
On the side of the church stands the statue of Georg Daniel Teutsch. He was a significant scholarly bishop of the Transylvanian Saxon community in the 19th century. The 3.5-meter-tall bronze statue on a granite base features the portraits of four important local figures.
The tower also serves as a lookout, offering a great panorama of the city.
Council Tower
In the Middle Ages, the tower served as the city council’s headquarters, hence its name.
Built in the 13th century as part of the city’s defensive system, it has served various functions throughout history, including as a prison and a guard tower. The tower is primarily made of brick, with a distinctive, prominent clock on its top. Its interior consists of several floors, accessible via stairs.
The top offers a stunning view of the city.
Liars’ Bridge
Built in 1859, it was Romania’s first wrought iron bridge. Though quite short, its ornate railings with flowers make it one of the city’s landmarks.
The bridge got its name from local legends and anecdotes, suggesting it was a meeting place for lovers who often made less than truthful statements to each other. According to stories behind its naming, the bridge „punishes” liars, as it supposedly trembled when someone told a lie on it.
City wall
Located in the southern part of the downtown area is the approximately 600 meters long wall.
Built in the 12th century, it was continuously expanded and fortified over the following centuries. The wall system includes several gates and watchtowers that were crucial for the city’s defense. Some of these still stand today.
A notable part is the Thick Tower, named for its thick walls. It was the central part of the city wall, serving as a defensive and observation point.
Friedrich Schiller Statue
He was a defining figure in European literature, and his works had a significant impact on 19th-century literature and thought.
The statue stands near the city wall, at the base of a house. In this way, the city with German roots commemorates the famous poet.
Sibiu Orthodox Cathedral
The church, not far from the Main Square, was built due to the increasing number of Orthodox believers.
Its exterior showcases distinctive Byzantine style features, including ornate domes and golden crosses. The interior is adorned with impressive frescoes and icons, evoking Eastern Christianity.
Museums in Sibiu
Brukenthal Palace and Museum
A defining building on the Main Square, its collection is one of the largest in Romania.
Samuel von Brukenthal had the palace built between 1778-1788, after being elected Governor of Transylvania. Its main façade is decorated with urns, rosettes, garlands, and the oak doors are adorned with symbols of the arts and abundance, with Brukenthal’s gilded coat of arms above the gate.
The museum opened in 1817 and today has several departments. Its art gallery hosts works by famous artists such as Titian, Jan van Eyck, Pieter Bruegel. Its library contains a collection of more than 300,000 items: incunabula, manuscripts, journals, books. The foundation of the collection was the baron’s library of 15,972 volumes.
The palace also features Anatolian rugs, a sculpture exhibition, and a collection of engravings.
ASTRA Museum
Sibiu’s open-air museum, showcasing the diversity and richness of Romanian folk culture.
Founded in 1963, the museum’s goal is to present and preserve the richness and diversity of Romanian rural life and traditional craftsmanship. Spanning over 96 hectares, it includes more than 300 traditional buildings from various regions of Romania.
Thousands of objects here represent different aspects of Romanian folk culture and craftsmanship. The exhibited items include traditional clothing, furniture, household utensils, agricultural tools, and folk art creations.
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Sibiu History Museum
The museum aims to present the history, culture, and artistic traditions of Sibiu and its surroundings from the Middle Ages to the modern era.
The exhibitions include archaeological finds, historical documents, artistic creations, as well as ethnographic and ethnological objects. Highlights of the museum include medieval and Renaissance items, as well as special collections related to local history.
The museum is located in a historical building, the Altemberger House. Built in the 15th century, it was named after its former owner, Johann Altemberger, a city judge. Despite renovations, it has retained its original late Gothic style.
Pharmacy Museum
The museum is situated in a historical building that was once a functioning pharmacy.
The museum’s purpose is to preserve and present the history of pharmacies, the development of pharmaceutical practices, and the history of medicines and pharmaceutical tools. Particularly noteworthy are the old prescription books, laboratory equipment, and the medicines of the time.