Sibiu (Hermannstadt) in Romania

The beautiful Romanian city of Sibiu, also known as Hermannstadt, invites you to admire the Southern Carpathians and visit the most important center of the German minority in Transylvania. Sibiu is located on the Cibin River, whose source rises in the Southern Carpathians.

Sights in the city

Hermannstadt has some interesting places to offer that you definitely shouldn’t miss. Discover the history of the fortification towers or take a stroll across the Bridge of Lies. Also worth seeing are the Roman Catholic Holy Trinity Church, the Brukenthal Museum, or the House of Arts. Let Sibiu enchant you!

Fortification towers

The Carpenters’ Tower in Hermannstadt was built as early as the 14th century on behalf of the Saxon carpenters’ guild. The tower was part of Sibiu’s third belt of fortifications and today forms the left tower of the defensive and fortress wall. The Carpenters’ Tower is located on Citadel Street.

Equally important is the Potters’ Tower, built a full century later, in the 15th century, on behalf of the Saxon potters’ guild. Like the Carpenters’ Tower, the Potters’ Tower was part of the third belt of fortifications and is located to the right of the preserved defensive and fortress wall.

The Bridge of Lies

The Bridge of Lies is considered one of the city’s most famous landmarks and has adorned the city since 1859. Its construction replaced an older wooden bridge and it is now regarded as the first cast-iron bridge in Romania. What’s particularly interesting is how the bridge got its name. Because it was considered the first bridge that did not require pillars, it was referred to as the “Liegebrücke” (“lying bridge” in the sense of “lying down”). Quickly, “liegen” turned into “lügen,” and the name “Bridge of Lies” became established—along with other legends about its naming.

Roman Catholic Holy Trinity Church

You should definitely visit the impressive parish church called Holy Trinity. The Baroque Roman Catholic church is located on Piata Mare and captivates visitors with its Baroque interior. In particular, the Baroque painting “Mary with the Child” above the tabernacle stands out as part of the Baroque furnishings and enhances the church.

Brukenthal Museum (National Museum)

The Brukenthal Museum is also known as the Brukenthal Palace and is one of the most representative buildings in Hermannstadt. Inside, you can discover magnificent wallpaper and admire artistic woodwork. The Brukenthal Museum contains elements of fine arts, painting and music. You can also admire the symbol of abundance: a cornucopia filled with fruit and crops.

The Blue House

Today, the Blue House houses offices and studios of the Brukenthal Museum and has existed since the end of the 15th century. However, although the building has existed for a long time, its appearance changed over the years. In 1773, the Baroque-specific renovations began, which can be documented by a drawing in the Sibiu State Archives.

House of Arts

The purpose of the House of Arts has changed since the building was constructed. During the 14th century, today’s House of Arts served as the seat of the butchers’ guild. Later, it was used for a short time as a theater hall in 1765. Today, however, the House of Arts is a museum dedicated to Transylvanian Saxon folklore.

But what does Transylvanian Saxon mean? Transylvanian Saxon is one of the oldest still-preserved German settler languages and has its origins in the 12th century. This history shows that Germans have also lived in Romania—namely the former settlers from Transylvania (now part of Romania).

Sights nearby

There are many worthwhile places near Sibiu that you should definitely keep in mind during your trip. One very special highlight is the ASTRA Open-Air Museum. Also interesting are Lake Bâlea and the Transfăgărășan Road.

• Experience museum & nature up close: ASTRA Open-Air Museum & Dumbrava Sibiului Nature Park
• Glacial lake & scenic road: Lake Bâlea and the Transfăgărășan Road

ASTRA Open-Air Museum & Dumbrava Sibiului Nature Park

The ASTRA Open-Air Museum is located just a few kilometers from the city, in the Young Forest (Pădurea Dumbrava). Discover Romanian rural life and visit exhibitions such as farmsteads from different regions, original interiors like workshops, wooden churches, inns, a dance hall, a bowling alley, or even a wooden fairground Ferris wheel.

Especially for history enthusiasts, the ASTRA Open-Air Museum has a lot to offer. In 2008, the museum was expanded by 10 additional buildings that were moved from their original locations to the Young Forest. These include, among others, a historic vintner’s house from 1835 and the property of an animal breeder. By the way: In winter, the museum offers special activities in summer and winter. In summer you can enjoy carriage rides, while in winter you can take a horse-drawn sleigh ride.

In addition, you should explore the beautiful nature more closely. Relax on the lake with a boat ride or enjoy the view of greenery through the windows of a restaurant serving traditional Romanian dishes. You can find more information about typical local dishes in our guide. Also worth seeing: next to the ASTRA Open-Air Museum is the zoological garden, covering an area of 15 hectares.

Lake Bâlea and the Transfăgărășan Road

This glacial lake is very popular with nature lovers and hikers and is located not far from Hermannstadt. You should also visit the Transfăgărășan Road. You can find more information about the Transfăgărășan Road in our guide.

Best time to travel

Of course, you can visit Sibiu all year round, but the spring months are particularly well suited for a short discovery tour in the city and the surrounding area. This recommendation is due to the extreme heat in Romania during the summer months, which can be overwhelming even for summer fans. At the same time, the winter months are less suitable for a city trip because of very cold temperatures, including heavy snowfall. In addition, there is less daylight in winter to explore the city.

The DMC team wishes you a pleasant trip!

We wish you a pleasant trip to Romania and are happy to assist you with any further questions about Romania and the related toll regulations. Contact us via our email.