Sibiu & Around

Did you know that: the world's first homeopathic laboratory was opened by Samuel von Hahnemann in Sibiu in 1797 * Sibiu is home to the first hospital in Romania in 1292 * The first pharmacy was founded in Sibiu in 1494 * The Brukenthal Museum in Sibiu, which was opened in 1817 is the oldest museum in Romania * The printing of the very first book in Romanian language took place in Sibiu in 1544 *

This page is meant to give you just some brief idea of all interesting things to explore in and around Sibiu. Of course our staff is always ready to answer all your questions and to help you to make a nice schedule for the day!

Some practical things

The best way of transport in Sibiu is walking, but if you want to save time you can use a taxi (relatively cheap) or the well functioning very cheap public transport. In general most buses & trams have frequent schedules.
Two sorts of tickets exist: bilet transport (regular one-way bus ticket) and bilet transport valabil 1 zi (ticket valuable a full day on all local lines).
For trips outside Sibiu you can use the extended network of bus & minibus routes. Also the train is a good option, not very fast but reliable in general.
Bicycles can be rent at Rent-A-Bike (website under construction) via tel. (+4)0740157944 (English, German, Hungarian & Romanian spoken) or by . Bicycles are delivered and picked up at the hostel. Great service!

Something about Transylvanian history

Prejmer, fortified church

Brasov, center

In the good old times of the 12th and 13th century the area of Transylvania was repeatedly terrorized by Tartars & Turks to invade Europe in an attempt to extend their influence and territory. The Hungarian ruler at that time tried to persuade people to descend on the area by promising a lot of benefits. In return the new residents would have the obligation to defend the land. This resulted in the settlement of the Saxons, who founded seven towns, among them Sibiu (Hermannstadt), Brasov (Kronstadt) and Sighisoara (Schässburg), giving Transylvania its German name Siebenbürgen. The heart of these towns included churches with fortifications. A lot of these defending constructions & fortified churches nowadays are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Harman, fortified church

Mass demonstration & praying

Until World War One Transylvania has been largely associated with Hungary, except for the period it was a part of the Ottoman Empire and had a semi independent state recognizing Turkish suzerainty. After WW1 Transylvania was finally united with Romania. This unification has never been fully accepted by Hungary, which reoccupied the territory from 1940 to 1944. After WWW2 Transylvania came back under Romanian control. Through the history of Romania the territory of Transylvania was and is in some way strongly connected with national identity and sentiments as clearly demonstrated on the photos showing a mass demonstration and people publicly kneeling and praying, in a desperate attempt to undo the situation after Hungary has appropriated the region again in WW2.

Sibiu highlights

Sibiu, Council Tower

Sibiu, Ursuline Church

It is not difficult to make any program for visiting the town, there are simply too many interesting things to see and explore!

Starting your walk from the square in front of the train station, just follow Strada General Magheru and you will pass Ursuline Church (15th century, founded by Dominican monks and a beautiful baroque interior). Keep right and take Strada Ivram Iancu, one of the oldest streets in Sibiu formerly inhabited by wealthy guildsmen. Before you enter Piata Mare bring a visit to Strada Selarilor (parallel to Magheru Street) and feel yourself suddenly in an alchemic medieval surrounding with Franciscan Church as the main building (impressive baroque elements in the altars).

On Piata Mare you will see the former Council Tower (1588), the Roman Catholic Cathedral (built between 1726 and 1733) and the famous Brukenthal Museum founded in 1817 and situated in the baroque palace of Baron Samuel Brukenthal (1721-1803). The museum contains paintings of the great masters as well as excellent archeological, folk-art and silverware collections. In Lonely Planet described as the oldest and likely finest art gallery in Romania!

Continue your way on Piata Mica and look around at the variety of medieval houses in many pastel colors. Also the Pharmaceutical Museum and the Franz Binder Museum of World Ethnology (including a real Egyptian mummy!) can be visited on this square.

Before descending the stairway at the east side and ending up in a maze of narrow, picturesque cobblestone streets, do not forget to walk over Iron Bridge (1859), also called Bridge of Liars, referring to the tricky merchants who did their trade on this place in earlier times and all the lovers who promised "eternal" love to each other! Very nearby you will find the Evangelical Church (built 1300-1520) on Piata Huet.
Piquant detail: the son of Vlad Tepes ("Dracula"), better known as Prince Mihnea the Bad was murdered on the square in front of the church and his tomb is in a closed section behind the organ.

A little further on southwestwards you can see the lovely former Primaria Municipiului (1470) and now the City History Museum at the beginning of Strada Mitropoliei, but without any doubt the street’s beauty is the Orthodox Cathedral from 1906. The basic architectonic plan was the Hagia Sofia in Istanbul!

Strada Cetatii & Thalia Hall

Sibiu, Astra Museum

Especially recommended: Strada Cetatii with its renovated parts of the ancient city walls and defending towers, including the so called Haller Bastion with another piquant detail: the irregular holes in the wall were originally quickly improvised wall openings to get rid of dead bodies during the period that Sibiu was ravaged by the pestilence. In the same street you will find the nicely restored Thalia Hall (base of the Philharmonic Orchestra), the National History Museum and the Museum of Natural Sciences with its valuable exhibits. Do not forget to visit the beautiful and friendly Sub Arini Park with its richness of roses and young couples walking hand in hand!

And least but not last and highly recommended: the fabulous open air ethnographic Astra Folk Art Museum in Dumbrava Forest exposing a great quantity and variety of authentic rural buildings, farms, mills, churches and houses. Under good weather conditions it is easy to pass the day in this wonderful museum, eventually combined with a visit to the nearby zoo.

Around Sibiu

Cisnadie, center

Map

Avrig, about 26 km. east from Sibiu and famous for its weavers, furriers, tanners, wood cutters and glass blowers. Few local museums with very unique exhibits and the summer residence of Baron von Brukenthal (former governor of Transylvania) remarkable for its terraced park in Viennese style. And for the admirers of nature: in the mountain area south of the town is a 14 km. long road along the river through a beautiful valley.

Cisnadie & Cisnadioara, these two picturesque, friendly rural villages are only a few kilometers south of Sibiu. An impressing fortified church (1349) in Cisnadie in combination with a real interesting guided tour. Cozy centre to walk around.
In Cisnadioara lots of characteristically Saxon buildings and the ruins of a fortress upon the hill, giving a fine overview of the whole area.

Rasinari, charming, wealthy shepherd village 4 km. west of Cisnadie, two small rivers flowing through, churches and an impressive mausoleum of Metropolitan Bishop A. Saguna.

Paltinis, touristic (ski) resort situated 32 km. south-west from Sibiu. The highest (1440 meter) and the oldest resort in Romania. Breathtaking sightseeing, fresh air and snow six months per year!

Cisnadie, fortified church

Cristian 15 km. west of Sibiu the 14th century Saxon town, grandiose fortified church in the centre (possible to climb the tower to view the landscape) and a charming local village museum.

Marginimea Sibiului, which means "Borders of Sibiu", is a collection of villages in the neighborhood of Sibiu and can be described as the heart and soul of Transylvania where traditional craftsmanship is still daily practice. Woodwork, carving, weaving, painting icons on glass and colouring eggs and farmers tilling the land by horse and plough, it is all there!

Orlat, 14th century village and nearby the charming, sleepy small town Gura Ralui. In Sibiel 5 km. west of Orlat is the Zosim Oancea Icons Museum with more then 700 pieces and one of Romania’s best in his sort, very well worth visiting! 6 km. north we come through Saliste, another place full of local folklore, have a look at the interior and exterior fresco's in Grui Church (1742). Just outside the town in Poiana Soarelui visits the monumental wooden sculptures. Gales, 2km. west of Saliste has a small ethnographic & art museum and nearby is situated Poiana Sibiului, famous for its marvelous hand colored eggs. On the way into the direction of Sebes, you will come through Miercurea Sibiului, since the 12th century inhabited by the Transylvanian Saxons with a very picturesque church on the hill and a little further on its robust fortified church.

And in case you need some relaxation after all these cultural and historic activities & impressions: take a dive into one of the lakes of the most popular summer resort in the area Ocna Sibiului, 20 km. northwest of the town.

Highly recommended daytrips

Cilnic, castle

Transylvania landscape

During your stay in Sibiu it is a great idea to take advantage of the fact that you are relatively close to other "pearls" of Transylvania, which can be perfect destinations for a daytrip!

Cilnic/Calnic, about 12 km. before you reach Sebes turning left, preserves one of the most remarkable and fully restored Saxon fortresses in the area. Among others the complex contains a chapel, with fresco fragments from the beginning of the 16th century and decorated panels painted in Renaissance style dated 1733. Very authentic medieval atmosphere, some people say "romantic" too!

Sebes (Muhlbach), situated 56 km west of Sibiu is one of the original Siebenbürgen towns. It contains an impressive Citadel (14th-15th century) preserved in its historic origin, Student's Tower (14th century) and Princely House (16th century) served as home residence to Transylvanian princes. Sebes is also a friendly small town with typical Transylvanian houses (19th-20th century) all over the place and pleasant for just some walking around and having a coffee.

Alba Iulia

Sighisoara

Alba Iulia 72 km. northwest from Sibiu has a special place in the national history because it was there that in 1599 as well as on the first of December1918 the union of Transylvania with Romania was proclaimed. It contains a dreamy fairy tale Citadel and fortress (excellently renovated recently) and its most beautiful part is the impressive Orthodox Cathedral (1921-22) and the peaceful gardens around it built on the old site of the citadel guardhouse for the coronation of King Ferdinand I and Queen Marie in 1922.

Sighisoara. Any visit to Romania cannot take place without having seen Sighisoara! Not only because the whole town including the environment is protected heritage by UNESCO, but also because it will steal the heart of every visitor due to the splendid hilly countryside surroundings and the medieval citadel which makes you feel going back in time and space, more then in every other place in Transylvania. And of course: this is the place of birth of "Dracula" Vlad Tepes!

Do not forget to visit the famous nearby situated fortified church complex of Biertan. During your drive you come through Medias, a good place to make a stop (fortress, Evangelic Church).

By way of conclusion

Sibiu Travelers Hostel pursuits to be just some more then a regular hostel, not only giving shelter and good services for a nice price.

Feel free to contact us and of course we very much welcome to receive your comments, critics and suggestions.