Sibiuand Whereabouts

Tourist guide

Editor: Oana Bicå

Corector: Daniel Voicea

Art director: Daniela Nae

Layout: Florin Curåvale

Translation: Cåtålin Pena

Cover photo: Romeo Huidu

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© All rights reserved. Copyright by House of Guides. This book may not be

reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of House of Guides.

The guide was made with the support of Ministry of Tourism,

Sibiu Municipality, ASTRA National Museum Complex

and Faculty of Geography of Bucharest.

Coworkers:

Lect. univ. dr. Daniel Peptenatu

Asist. univ. Cristian Dråghici

Asist. univ. George Muråtoreanu

Asist. univ. Radu Pintilii

Claudiu Spiridon

Sorin Slavu

Cåtålin Constantinescu

Adrian Georgescu, Brukenthal Museum – History Museum

Claudiu Munteanu, Brukenthal Museum – History Museum

ISBN: 978-606-513-143-9

TTaabbllee ooff CCoonntteennttss

TToopp 33 HHiigghhlliigghhttss .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..77

Sibiu – historical city . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

UUsseeffuull IInnffoorrmmaattiioonn .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..1100

PPaaggeess ooff hhiissttoorryy .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..1166

The Ancientry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

The Middle Age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

The Modern Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

TThhee llaanndd aanndd iittss ppeeooppllee .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..2222

Nature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Top 3 Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Top 3 Natural Wonders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Top 3 Activities in nature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Top 3 Historical Personalities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Top 3 Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Top 3 Scientists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Etnography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

HHiigghhlliigghhttss .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..3388

Top 3 Symbols of Sibiu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Top 3 Fortifications of Sibiu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Top 3 Historic Buildings in Sibiu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Top 3 Squares in Sibiu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

Top 3 Parks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

Top 3 Places of worship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Top 3 Museums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Top 3 Settlements in Mårginimea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Top 3 Fortified churches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Top 3 Fortresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Top 3 Monasteries and hermitages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Top 3 Natural reserves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

WWaallkkiinngg ttrroouugghh tthhee CCiittyy .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..5522

I. The Large Square . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

II. The Small Square . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

III. The Huet Square . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

IV. Places of worship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

V. Bastions and Towers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

VI. Dumbrava Sibiului . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

SSiibbiiuu’’ss WWhheerreeaabboouuttss .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..7700

Traditions in the villages of Mårginimea Sibiului . . . . .72

History and Culture in old castles and churches . . . . . .76

Sport and relaxation in Påltini¿ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

Ocna Sibiului . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

WWhheerree ttoo ssttaayy,, wwhheerree ttoo eeaatt .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..8844

Highlights

Remaining almost intact for cen-turies, Sibiu’s medieval fortress

retains a unique architecture, recallingthe atmosphere of times long gone.Surrounded by walls, fortified by towersand bastions, the old fortress is bearingits inheritance into the present. Its towers watch ever quiet, the squaresboast with the architectural beauty ofbuildings, the streets wind staggering.Together, they invite the traveler to dis-cover an immortal city.

1. Sibiu Citadel

The beauty of the nature and thehospitality of the people, the

numerous places to visit, the richnessand diversity of the cultural heritage, allmake Mårginimea Sibiului a highlyattractive area for the tourists. Theentire region is unique to Romania,being a spectacular patch of landwhere folk traditions merged with agreat natural landscape. Here, at thefoot of the mountains, time is at a

standstill for the villages in Mårginimeastill keep intact the calm spirit of life innature.

2. Mårginimea Sibiului

One of the most important skiresorts in the country lies only

35 km from Sibiu. Located in theCindrel Mountains at 1442 m hight, ina rich pine forest, the resort takes pridein being “The resort located at thehighest altitude in Romania.” And theaccolades do not stop there. Founded

in 1894 by the TransylvanianCarpathian Society of Tourists, Påltini¿is the oldest resort in Romania. In overa century of existence, the resort tookadvantage of the exceptional naturalenvironment, becoming a winter sportsparadise, but also a unique recreational area.

3. Påltini¿

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SSiibbiiuu aanndd WWhheerreeaabboouuttss�

88

Placed in the heart of the country at a crossroad, the city of Sibiu is landlocked

between the southern Transylvanian mountains, like a fortress untouched by time.

Sibiu’s beginnings are lost in the mists of time. Fact remains that the first pages of

the city’s chronicle is closely linked to the Saxon colonists. When the Saxons came

to these lands, in the XIIth century, they brought new standards of civilization that

they seeded in an essentially rural area. They persistently promoted craftsmanship

and commerce which in terms led to prosperity of the whole community. The sharp

and steady development transformed Sibiu, for three centuries, into the most impor-

tant city of Transylvania and one of the most thriving and prosperous towns in this

part of Europe.

Today, Sibiu attracts tourists not onlyby its medieval beauty or the irre-

sistible charm of its cultural life, butalso by the refined culinary arts thatseams like a real mystery pot of millenary Daco-Roman gastronomictradition and influences exercised over

the centuries by the people who settledor passed through these lands. And last but not least there are thelocal traditions that, like a “timemachine”, transport the tourists in an almost for-gotten past.

TThhee LLaarrggee SSqquuaarree –– vviieeww ffrroomm tthhee CCoouunncciill TToowweerr

Sibiu – historical city

TThhee CCoouunncciill TToowweerr

99

In 2007, Sibiu was presented withthe honor of being the EuropeanCapital of Culture as proof for itshistorical, cultural and architecturalimportance. Under the slogan “City of Culture– City of cultures”, Sibiu hadshown the entire continent that hemeets the European standards fora top tourist destination.

SSIIBBIIUU’’SS CCOOAATT OOFF AARRMMSS

According to medieval traditions, the crossed swords pointingdown meant the right of possession of land, the will of theinhabitants to defend the city and the civic rights of its citizens.The mural crown with seven towers, a reminder of the oldname of Transylvania (Siebenburgen = seven cities), indicatesSibiu’s heritage as a county seat.

The most important places of Sibiu,

worthing to be visited, will be

presented next. They may be found

in large markets, on narrow streets

or even on the large boulevards. You

are therefore invited to walk with us

through the city!

Walkingtrough the City

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The Peasants Castle in Slimnic

Slimnic Peasant Castle dominatesthe surrounding area from a con-siderable high point. The architec-tural ensemble here is of over-whelming beauty and value. (SeeTop 3 Fortresses.)In front of the castle you can

admire a gothic style fortifiedchurch, build in the XVth century.Slimnic castle is easy to find. Youcan actually see it while travellingon DN 14, which connects Media¿Sibiu, about 15 km from Sibiu.The visiting fee is 1 leu.

The Fortified Church in Cristian

Another Saxon era architecturalmasterpiece is situated less then 10 km west of Sibiu, on theEuropean road connecting thetown of Sebe¿. (See top 3 FortifiedChurches). The church is dominat-ed by defence towers borderingthe exterior walls, closing aroundthe clock tower, decorated withfour small towers. The fortifiedarea can be visited on request.SSlliimmnniicc

CCrriissttiiaann

7799�

SIBIU’S WHEREABOUTS

The Church ofCisnådioara

The small stronghold on the hill isone of the oldest fortified churchesin the country and also one of themost beautiful. (See Top 3Fortified Churches.)You can reach Cisnådioara via theEuropean road to RâmnicuVâlcea, by Cisnådie, or by takingthe county road connecting Sibiuto Rå¿inari.The Church can be visited ondemand and the entry fee is 5 lei.

The Fortified Church of Cisnådie

Built in the XIIIth century (first men-tioned in 1349), this fortifiedchurch is located in Cisnådietown, about 20 km South fromSibiu.The numerous transformations ithas undergone over time havechanged the original Romanesqueappearance into a Gothic styleone. The Gothic transformationtook place in the wake of theTurkish attack of 1493, when thechurch was fortified. The famous“Treasure of Cisnådie” was kepthere until 1915, when it was sent to be kept at the Brukenthalmuseum.Three belts of walls were builtaround the church complete withdefence corridors, towers, bas-tions, and ditches that could be

filled with water. The 59 m tall belltower was amended in 1591 andreceived its present form in 1751.The top of the tower used to havea golden globe that attractedlightnings so in 1795 the first copper made lightning rod inTransylvania was installed after themethod of magistrate Raimarus inHamburg.The medieval ensemble ofCisnådie is remarkable for itscomplexity, the strong fortificationand impressive towers.

CCiissnnååddiiooaarraa

CCiissnnååddiiee

SSiibbiiuu aanndd WWhheerreeaabboouuttss�

P åltini¿ is located 35 km fromSibiu, in the Cindrel

Mountains. It lies at an altitude of1,442 m in a coniferous forest,being the highest altitude resort inthe country. The main therapeuticfactor is the alpine climate with airrichly enhanced with ozone. Thequality of the pure, enriched air,UV radiations and ionized aerosolsof this resort recommends it for thetreatment of various diseases.The resort owes its name to thenearby Påltini¿ mountain peak,which literally means SycamorePeak.

Ski

Snow can be found here for 120 days per year, making Påltini¿a perfect resort for many wintersports fans. There are many skislopes with various difficulties.Cindrel Mountain is well suited forcross country skiing as well. Theski slope on Mount Once¿ti isequipped with a sky lift (on a dis-tance of 1,025 m and a slope of241m) a lift (410 m long and aslope of 138 m) and a baby ele-vator.

Accommodation

There are many hotels, cottagesand villas, recreational facilities,restaurants, a theatre and a cine-ma club, a disco, a library, somevolleyball, tennis and handballcourts.Some of the old accommodation

facilities, built in the late XIXth andearly XXth centuries are still standing. The Tourists House, builtin 1942 in the centre of the resort,The House of the Doctors and TheMonaco Room were declared his-torical monuments. The architec-ture of the first wooden villas wasinspired by the chalets of theTyrolean Alps.

Places to visit

Påltini¿ is a starting point for manytourist routes in the Cindrel (CibinGorges and Sadului Valley with itschain of dams) and LotruMountains.The road that links Sibiu toPåltini¿, built in 1902, windsthrough a picturesque forest on aconsiderable length, making thejourney itself a very pleasant expe-rience. Both the road and theresort offer a great view onCindrel Mountains and on the lowlands around Sibiu.The great philosopher ConstantinNoica spent his last years inPåltini¿. His house became themeeting place for his followersand admirers. At his death in1987, Noica was buried near thePåltini¿ hermitage. His memorialhouse is now open to visitors.Upon entering the resort, an indi-cator signals the hidden hermitagein the forest. It is The SmallChurch in Påltini¿, a wonderfulplace to retreat in the woods. (SeeTop 3 Monasteries and her-mitages.)

Sport and relaxation in Påltini¿

8811

A t only 17 km from Sibiu, thereis a spa whose special cura-

tive effects are known from ancienttimes. It seems that in 1598, anambassador of Emperor Rudolf IIstopped at Ocna Sibiu and men-tions the therapeutic effects of thewaters here.Early settlement is, however, mucholder, the area being documentedsince 1263.The local development was relatedto salt mining, the subsequentlyabandoned salt mines forming lakeswith a high concentration of saltwater. The therapeutic effects ofthese waters have been known sinceancient times, but written testimonyonly dates from the Middle Ages.The factors that make Ocna Sibiuso special are related to the waterand salt lakes, with high concen-trations of fossil mud and isotonicsodium chlorine as well as themild climate.Ocna Sibiu can treat musculoskele-tal diseases, chronic degenerativerheumatism, arthritis, spondylosis,and various gynaecological disor-ders. Being outdoor, the saltywaters of Ocna Sibiu are best to bevisited in the summer time.However, the resort operates as apermanent tourist structure, with anexquisite spa complex which offersyou four star accommodations andhigh standards of treatment.

Salt Lakes

Ocna Sibiu is home to manylakes. Some of them have someunique characteristics.

One of the resort’s major lakes isLacul Fårå Fund (The BottomlessLake) – declared a natural monu-ment. It was formed on the site ofthe former Francis Grube saltmine, abandoned in 1775. Oneof its specific features is the waterstratification. The surface layer ismade up of freshwater, the saltwa-ter layer being deeper and con-stantly accumulates heat.Another lake is Lacul Ocna Pustie,formed at a depth of 160 m on thesite of Fodina Maior salt mine, aban-doned in 1817. This is the deepestman made salt lake in the country.Lake Brâncoveanu also formed onthe site of an abandoned saltmine, and it is the saltiest lake inOcna Sibiu (310 g/l). The greatdepths that these lakes reach aredue to salt exploitation datingfrom ancient and medieval times.

The City

Ocna Sibiu city is located in northof the resort, and developed inde-pendently from the nearby resort.There are a few churches here tovisit, deemed historic monuments.The first of which is theBrâncoveanu de Sus church,founded by Mihai Viteazul in 1600and rebuilt by ConstantinBrâncoveanu in 1701. The build-ing has XVIIIth century murals, testi-fying to the combining influencesof the Wallahian and Transylvanianchurch building stiles. The secondimportant church in Ocna Sibiu isThe Reformed Church, build initiallyas a basilica in the XIIIth century.

Ocna Sibiului

SSPPAA iinn OOccnnaa SSiibbiiuulluuii