18. Altemberger House – The History Museum
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Raised in the 15th century, it remains one of the best preserved Gothic monuments in the country. During your walk up to Mitropoliei Street, you will notice the stone frames of the windows, the bay window and the street loggia.
The building is also called "The Old City Hall", being the seat of the institution from 1545 to 1947. It had a number of other functions, being the headquarters of the Saxon University archives, the city jail, the forest district, the court of law, the city police, the fire department, the city’s construction company, and a depot of the Brukenthal Museum. The History Museum was inaugurated after a major renovation in 1990.
The name of the building preserves the memory of the owner who erected the Gothic edifice, Thomas Altemberger. For 20 years, he served as Sibiu’s mayor, and he became a royal judge. His name has also remained in history due to the manuscript "Codex Altemberger", a collection of laws gifted to the city. His success and wealth, which made possible the construction of one of the most imposing houses in the city in the 15th century, was also due to the marriage with Affra of Salzburg from Ocna Sibiului. After Altemberger's death, Affra married Johann Lulay, a Transylvanian Saxon Count.
Above the main gate, there is a stone plate with a Latin text dedicated to Emperor Joseph II. Visit the History Museum and you will find out more about the history of Sibiu.
If you do not have enough time, spend 10 minutes in the courtyard and the inner garden. The tower house, the wooden balcony and the blazons carved in stone are just a few items to note.
Unique in Transylvania, the garden loggia dates back to 1491. In the keystone, you will find the coat of arms of Altemberger and Affra. The stone statuettes carved by Andreas Lapicida himself will surely impress you.
The building is also called "The Old City Hall", being the seat of the institution from 1545 to 1947. It had a number of other functions, being the headquarters of the Saxon University archives, the city jail, the forest district, the court of law, the city police, the fire department, the city’s construction company, and a depot of the Brukenthal Museum. The History Museum was inaugurated after a major renovation in 1990.
The name of the building preserves the memory of the owner who erected the Gothic edifice, Thomas Altemberger. For 20 years, he served as Sibiu’s mayor, and he became a royal judge. His name has also remained in history due to the manuscript "Codex Altemberger", a collection of laws gifted to the city. His success and wealth, which made possible the construction of one of the most imposing houses in the city in the 15th century, was also due to the marriage with Affra of Salzburg from Ocna Sibiului. After Altemberger's death, Affra married Johann Lulay, a Transylvanian Saxon Count.
Above the main gate, there is a stone plate with a Latin text dedicated to Emperor Joseph II. Visit the History Museum and you will find out more about the history of Sibiu.
If you do not have enough time, spend 10 minutes in the courtyard and the inner garden. The tower house, the wooden balcony and the blazons carved in stone are just a few items to note.
Unique in Transylvania, the garden loggia dates back to 1491. In the keystone, you will find the coat of arms of Altemberger and Affra. The stone statuettes carved by Andreas Lapicida himself will surely impress you.
🤔 Did you know?
🔍 There is a statue in the courtyard of the Altemberger House, called “The Iron Soldier”. It was made from wood in 1915, and plated with metal (mail and rivets). The mail is plastered with the initials or the names of those who donated money in a fundraising event for the war widows.
🔍 One of the exhibitions of the history museum presents the evolution of the human communities in the Southern Transylvania.
🔍 One of the most beautiful rooms in the building is the assembly room of the Sibiu Magistrate.
