Popular Cities Sibiu Hermannstadt
The beautiful Romanian city of Sibiu, also called 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 originates in the Southern Carpathians.
Sights of the city
Hermannstadt has several interesting places to offer that you should definitely not miss. Discover the history of the fortress towers or take a walk along the Liars' Bridge. Also worth seeing is the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Trinity, the Brukenthal Museum, or the House of Arts. Let yourself be enchanted by Sibiu!
Fortress towers
The Carpenters' Tower in Hermannstadt was already built in the 14th century on behalf of the Saxon carpenters' guild. The tower was part of the third fortification ring of Sibiu and today represents the left tower of the defensive and fortification wall. The Carpenters' Tower is located on Citadel Street.
Equally significant is the Potters' Tower, which was built a whole 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 fortification ring and is located to the right of the preserved defensive and fortification wall.
The Liars' Bridge
The Liars' Bridge is considered one of the most famous landmarks of the city and has adorned the city since 1859. The construction of the Liars' Bridge replaced an older wooden bridge and today stands as the first cast-iron bridge in Romania. Interestingly, though, is how the name of this bridge came about. Since the bridge was considered the first bridge that required no pillars, it was called a "lying bridge" (referring to how it "lay" without support). Quickly, the word for "lying" (liegen) transformed into "lying" in the sense of "telling lies" (lügen), and the name "Liars' Bridge" became established, along with other legends about the origin of its name.
Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Trinity
You should definitely visit the impressive parish church called the Holy Trinity. The baroque Roman Catholic church is located on Piata Mare and enchants with its baroque interior. In particular, the baroque painting "Mary with the Child" above the tabernacle stands out as part of the baroque decor and beautifies the church.
Brukenthal Museum (National Museum)
The Brukenthal Museum is also known as the Brukenthal Palace and represents one of the most representative buildings in Hermannstadt. Inside, you can discover magnificent wallpapers and admire elaborate woodwork. The Brukenthal Museum contains elements of fine arts, painting, and music. You can also marvel at the symbol of abundance, a cornucopia filled with fruit and crops.
The Blue House
The Blue House today 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, the appearance of the Blue House has changed over the years. In 1773, the baroque-specific renovations began, which can be documented through a drawing in the Hermannstadt State Archive.
House of Arts
The purpose of the House of Arts has changed since the construction of this building. During the 14th century, today's House of Arts served as the seat of the butchers' guild. Later, it was briefly used as a theater hall in 1765. Today, however, the House of Arts is a museum dedicated to Transylvanian Saxon folk art.
But what does Transylvanian Saxon mean? Transylvanian Saxon is one of the oldest surviving German settler languages and has its origins in the 12th century. This shows that Germans are also native to Romania, namely the former settlers from Transylvania (now part of Romania).
Nearby attractions
There are numerous worthwhile places near Sibiu that you should definitely keep in mind during your trip. A very special highlight is the ASTRA Open-Air Museum. Equally interesting are Lake Bâlea and the Transfăgărășan road.
Experience museum & nature up close: ASTRA Open-Air Museum & Dumbrava Sibiului Nature Park
Glacial lake & panoramic road: Lake Bâlea and 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 exhibits such as farmsteads from various parts of the country, original interiors like workshops, wooden churches, inns, a dance shed, a bowling alley, and even a wooden funfair Ferris wheel.
The ASTRA Open-Air Museum has a lot to offer, especially for history enthusiasts. In 2008, the museum was expanded with 10 additional structures that were relocated from their original sites to the Young Forest. These include, among others, a historic winegrower's house from 1835 and the estate of a livestock breeder. By the way: The museum offers special activities in both summer and winter. In summer, you can enjoy carriage rides, while in winter you can take a horse-drawn sleigh ride.
You should also explore the beautiful nature in more detail. Relax on the lake with a boat ride or enjoy the view of the greenery through the windows of a restaurant serving traditional Romanian dishes. You can find more information about local dishes in our guide. Also worth seeing: next to the ASTRA Open-Air Museum is the Zoological Garden, spanning 15 hectares.
Lake Bâlea and Transfăgărășan road
This glacial lake is very popular among nature lovers and hikers and is 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 little exploration tour of the city and its surroundings. This recommendation is due to the extreme heat during the summer months in Romania, which can be overwhelming even for summer enthusiasts. At the same time, the winter months, with very cold temperatures and heavy snowfall, are less suitable for a city trip. In addition, you have less daylight in winter to explore the city.
The Europamaut 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 its toll regulations. Contact us via our email.
