Places

The lesson about Sibiu’s religious tolerance continues. Going further on Mitropoliei Street, in front of the park, you will discover the tower of "Saint John" Evangelical Church of Augustan Confession. The Sibians call it Johanniskirche. Like most churches in the city, it is a space of worship and culture, where not only religious liturgies take place, but also cultural events. Built in the 19th century for the parishioners of the nearby Josefin neighborhood, it has two beautiful altar sculptures, representing Ioan the Baptist and Ioan the Evangelist. A gangway above the gate connects the church with the former evangelical orphanage. Currently, it houses the Friedrich Teutsch Center for Culture and Dialogue, named after the Saxon bishop and historian. If you find the metal gate open, dare to step in! You will enter the rectangular courtyard, enclosed by a portion of the fortification wall on the South-West side. This small city oasis is animated by the customers of the café-bookstore and by the visitors of the Museum of the Evangelical Church of Augustan Confession in Transylvania, hosted on the first floor. If you have time, and if you are curious about the history of the Saxon communities in Transylvania, visit the exhibition. You will see a copy of the first document attesting Sibiu in 1191, church objects, Saxon folk garments from different areas - a true collection of the Saxon treasure. A chronological tour will help you better understand how the Saxons arrived in Transylvania and why the majority were forced to leave this region after World War II. Part of the museum's activities are also temporary exhibitions and historical lectures. The building houses the Central Archive of the Evangelical Church of Augustan Confession in Romania and its library. 🤔 Did you know? 🔍 One of the museum’s main attractions is a collection of masterpieces made by the most famous goldsmiths in Transylvania. 🔍 The exhibition illustrates the evolution of German-language education in Transylvania, of which the Evangelical Church C.A. cared for centuries. 🔍 Among the most spectacular collections is the set of dolls dressed in celebratory Saxon folk clothes. They differ depending on the geographical area, status and age of the wearer.

After so many streets and buildings, we invite you for a walk in the ASTRA park. In the 19th century the fortification walls and defense towers were demolished or incorporated into the new infrastructure. In 1879, the Society for the beautification of the city was founded, the purpose of which is suggested by its name. One of the main concerns was the building of green spaces in the city, the ASTRA park being the first significant achievement. At the beginning of the 20th century, the park got its current appearance, and due to the activity of the ASTRA Association, several busts of personalities of the Romanian culture were unveiled. Since 2007, an artesian fountain has been set up in the middle of the park, animating the place during summer. Thanks to the marble chess tables, the enthusiasts of the “sport of the mind” are happy to spend their free time here. If you feel ready, challenge them to a game!  You may notice the two Atlas statues at the entrance of the Palace of the Transylvanian Association for Romanian Literature and the Culture of the Romanian People - ASTRA. Built between 1903 and 1905, it served as the headquarters of the association, and was designed to house an historical and ethnographic museum, the archive and the library of the association. The museum was inaugurated on August 6, 1905.  With its lush Victorian-style decorations, the second-floor room is among the most beautiful entertainment venues in the city. The first Romanian theater performance in Transylvania took place on its stage. Nowadays, the hall hosts special events, book launches, jazz and classical music concerts. The palace houses the headquarters of the ASTRA County Library.  On the left, the ornate façade of the Pediatric Hospital draws anyone’s attention. The building was originally a sanatorium and guesthouse for those who frequented the public baths. Under the name "Baia Populară", the public baths still welcomes its guests today in the fascinating décor of its high ceiling, arched balconies and elements specific to the Baroque and Jugendstil styles.  🤔 Did you know? 🔍 Since 2010, the objectives of the Society for the beautification of Sibiu have been taken over by the Association for the beautification of the city of Sibiu (AIOS). 🔍 The cost of building the ASTRA Palace was 158,426 crowns. The amount was collected from member fees, donors and a lottery organized for this purpose. 🔍 Dr. Cornel Diaconovici, secretary of the association and author of the first Romanian Encyclopedia, played an important role in the fundraising. 🔍 The first play performed at the opening of the hall was “Blanduzia’s Fountain” by Vasile Alecsandri. 

As you exit the Astra park, you will encounter the swarm of people passing to or from the Nicolae Bălcescu pedestrian Street. In the past, the street was called Heltauergasse, an allusion to the road leading to Cisnădie. Travelers coming from there entered the city through the Cisnădie Gate Tower, which was once located nearby. Go towards the Grand Square! Your eyes will be drawn by the lively windows of the restaurants and shops, but also by the baroque or eclectic ornaments of the colorful facades. Each tells the story of the wealthy families who lived here, or the rented shops. From perfumes, jewelry, watches, furs, hats and furniture, to sausages and cakes, everything was on this street. As you walked about half the street, the Corinthian capitels of the Bugarsky House will draw your attention to the left. A cat-shaped gyrus tucked on the roof of a two-eyed cottage shows the direction of the wind. On the right side, the intense green and the bay window highlight the Bielz House. A few steps ahead, an artesian fountain gives life to a small square. Take a minute to look at the surrounding buildings. On the left side, towards Grand Square, you will see a tall building - the former headquarters of the Garrison Regiment. Across the corner, on the same side, notice the Neo-Renaissance forms of probably the most famous hotel in Sibiu, the Emperor of the Romans. Turn your eyes to the small street on the right that opens from the pedestrian. The building with the beveled corner and the balcony with laced ironworks will surely draw your attention. The Sibians know it as "La Floașiu" after the name of the trader who opened in 1920 the largest Romanian store in Transylvania. 🤔 Did you know? 🔍 During the International Theater Festival, dancers, acrobats and actors animate the pedestrian street with captivating shows. 🔍 The Bielz House was named after Dr. Julius Bielz, a well-known historian, museographer and ethnographer. His wife, Josefine Bielz, founded the Sibiu Women's Association in their home in 1875. 🔍 Until 1970, the tram ran through the middle of the pedestrian street.

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If you are not tired of choosing souvenirs at the beginning of Papiu Ilarian street, we invite you to keep exploring the city. The closer you look, the more interesting details you will discover. Roofs with skylights, facades with embossed motifs and decorated gates – just check the solar motif on the green gate after crossing the Tipografilor Street. Radu Stanca, the spiritual patron of the National Theater in Sibiu, lived, in the big building on the corner. You will find his name on one of the stars of the Hall of Celebrities in the Citadel Park. Take a few more steps to reach Cetăţii Street, named "The most beautiful street of Sibiu". Its spectacularity comes from to the luster of history imprinted by the towers and defense walls. It remains the best preserved portion of the 14th century fortification rings. The defense walls looked like the restored section near you. The bastions were named after the guilds that built and managed them, so you can see those of the Arquebusiers, Potters and Carpenters. In the sixteenth century, Sibiu had one of the best equipped and efficient defense systems. The walls surrounded about 80 ha, and 39 bastions reinforced them. The key elements remained, of course, the inhabitants assisted by the most modern military technology of the time. This explains why Sibiu was never conquered, even during the harshest Ottoman invasions, being nicknamed "the red city". This was also due to the tribute paid to the Ottoman Empire. Walking between the two walls makes it hard to believe that you are in a former watercourse, used for a more effective defense, doesn’t it? 🤔 Did you know? 🔍 Although they serve the same purpose, each bastion is different from the other in shape and decorative elements. They probably demonstrate the pride and the desire for artistic expression of the guilds. 🔍 Since 2013, on each new edition of the Sibiu Theater Festival, several important personalities from the international world of performing arts receive a star on the Hall of Celebrities.

We said that Sibiu kept up with the military technology of the time. This was also true in the 16th century, when the cannons appeared. For their use, the existing bastions, designed for small arms, were inadequate. Thus began the construction of a thick bastion, suitable for all types of artillery.  Keep walking towards the end of the Citadel Park, and you will find a gate to the right, facing the Carpenters Tower. On leaving the safety of the fortifications, you will feel the hustle and bustle of the city outside the wall, the new "enemy" from which we can pretend to be protected in the 21st century by the defense walls.  Watch for a moment the white wall of the Thick Tower. The prominent, asymmetrical windows are the former firing holes. The strategy was to repel those who were trying to breach the defensive walls. Soon, the Sibians adopted the fashion of "orecchione" type bastions from the Italians.  The yellow triangle marks the line of the former earth rampart.  Perhaps you want to go around the Thick Tower through the courtyard of the Philharmonic and the Stairs Tower, or maybe you will return to Cetății Street. The main entrance of the former thick tower reveals the contemporary identity of the building, the headquarters of the State Philharmonic of Sibiu, Thalia Hall. The inscription 1788 - 2004 indicates the years when the building morphed. In 1788, the defense bastion became the first theater in Transylvania, and in 2004, the building resumed its cultural function, highlighting elements of the defense system in its architecture. 🤔 Did you know? 🔍 The typographer, and later city mayor, Martin Hochmeister, was the one who initiated the transformation of the defense tower into a theater. The construction lasted one year. In 1788, the first play was performed in the venue. 🔍 Thalia is the name of the muse of comedy and idyllic poetry. In ancient Greek, Thalia means "the joyful, the blooming". 🔍 Among the special events hosted by the Thalia Hall are the Sibiu Opera Festival, the Romanian-American Musical Days and the International Festival-competition of Piano Interpretation and Composition "Carl Fieltsch". 

From the courtyard near Thalia Hall, a few dinosaurs will draw your attention. Some up to 8 meters tall, they are part of the educational and recreational exhibition of the Natural History Museum. On the facade of the building, you can see a Roman numeral MDCCCIXIV. Do you remember how to decipher it? (1894) 1849 is the year when a group of Saxon intellectuals, passionate about nature, set up the Transylvanian Society of Natural Sciences. In order to shelter and exhibit the growing collections of minerals, plants and stuffed or preserved animals, in 1894 they started the construction of a building dedicated to this purpose, with money donated by the members of the association. Elements of the classicist style can be recognized on the exterior. The museum, organized on three levels, presents the evolution of the living world, from the simplest living things to birds. The interior of the building and especially the exhibitions are worth a visit. You have the opportunity to see very rare specimens, such as a polar owl from the Arctic, or mammoth fossils. The exotic butterfly species will surely impress you, the collection of Lepidoptera being the most spectacular. As in this case, mountain hiking enthusiasts established the Transylvanian Carpathian Association, also known as the Transylvanian Carpathian Tourists Society, in 1880. The members of the association started marking the mountain trails and building chalets. During the same period, in 1879, the Society for the Beautification of the City of Sibiu was founded, whose members built, among other things, the city parks. All these initiatives demonstrate the continuation of the cult of community in the Saxon culture. What society would you start for your community? 🤔 Did you know? 🔍 The Transylvanian Carpathian Association was founded at the initiative of Dr. Karl Wolff, with the name “Siebenbürgische Karpatenverein” (S.K.V.). 480 men and 18 women joined. 🔍 Hypsilophodon, Tyranosaurus Rex, Tryceratops, Diplodocus and Velociraptor are the names of the dinosaur species in the museum yard. There is also a Pterosaurus. The tallest dinosaur is 8 meters high. 🔍 The Society for the Beautification of the City of Sibiu has also arranged the promenade and the park on Cetăţii street.

After you take a snapshot of the pastel facades with your camera or with your eyes, we invite you to sneak through the gangway near Thalia Hall. You will reach Tipografilor Street, formerly called Wiesengasse, at a time when the Pottery Fair was organized here. From here, you will enter the Schiller Square, to your right. Underneath the bay window in the corner, you will see Schiller's bronze bust. Gustav Nüssbacher, one of the expert butchers in the manufacture of the Sibiu Salami at the beginning of the 20th century, donated it to the city. The statue was initially unveiled in the ASTRA Park, on the 150th anniversary of the birth of the most famous German romantic poet. Enjoy a moment of peace on the benches around the artesian fountain. In front of you is a facade with richly ornate metal grilles, authentic from the Baroque era of the city. The house belonged to Martin Hochmeister, the city mayor, who was visited by the emperor Joseph II himself. In this same house lived Hochmeister's great-grandson, Emil Sigerus, to whom we owe the Chronicle of Sibiu. Crossing Timotei Popovici Street, you can see the building of the State Archives on your right side. Built at the beginning of the 20th century, it retains elements of the eclectic style. The construction was designed for the same purpose it fulfills today. Large windows allow sunlight to enter the depot, separated from the administrative building by a long corridor, to protect the documents in case of fire. It is the first building raised for the safekeeping and conservation of the archival heritage in Romania. It stores documents from 1292 to 1984. You will recognize the coat of arms of Transylvania, Sibiu and Saxon University on its facade. Archivelor Street will lead you back to the Grand Square. Before passing through the General's gangway, look for the city's coat of arms in the decorative elements of the Bedeus House. 🤔 Did you know? 🔍 Archivelor Street was called Generalkommandogasse until 1872, Ambruster until 1946 and Franklin Delano Roosevelt until 1970. 🔍 For 200 years, a mill, known as Rossmühle, functioned in the Schiller Square. 🔍 The house that shelters Schiller's bust belonged to Gustav Dietrich. After his death, he left the building to the foundation with the same name, which opened here the "Christian guesthouse."

The Saxons founded the settlement in the 12th century, after arriving in Southern Transylvania at the invitation of King Geza II, to defend the borders of Hungary. In exchange for their military services, the Saxons were rewarded with privileges. The Golden Bull, issued in 1224 by Andrei II, the king of Hungary, was one of them. In 1366, Sibiu was attested as a city, under the name "Hermannstadt". At that time, it numbered about 1900 inhabitants and it had 13 guilds, leading to the development of trade. Also in that century, a library, a school, a hospital and a mint were mentioned. In 1692, due to the city’s economic development, urban evolution and completion of its fortification system, Sibiu became Transylvania’s capital (until 1791). The city kept pace with the urban centers of the time, and the following century saw the opening of the first public museum in Southeastern Europe (1817), the building of the railway (1872) and the introduction of electricity (1897). December 1, 1918, marked the unification of Transylvania with Romania, starting a new stage in Sibiu's life. The ethnic structure of the city changed. Massive emigration of the Saxon population and immigration of Romanian inhabitants from other regions took place. The city adapted to the industrialization era. In December 1989, Sibiu was among the first cities in the country to join the revolution against the communist regime. In 2007, Sibiu became the first city in Romania to acquire the title of European Capital of Culture. Since 2011, Sibiu is the only Romanian destination with 3 *** Michelin stars. ASTRA Museum received the same number of Michelin stars in 2014. May 9, 2019 has remained in Sibiu's history due to the Informal Summit of Heads of State or Government of the European Union, which took place here. In 2019, the whole region became a European Region of Gastronomy. In 2021, the city will be the European Capital of Hiking. 🤔 Did you know? 🔍 There is a chronicle of the most important events in Sibiu from 1100 to 1929. The author is the historian, ethnographer and writer Emil Sigerus (1854 - 1947). 🔍 Some key data in the history of the city: 1494 - the first pharmacy, 1525 - the first printing press, 1534 - the first paper mill, 1560 - the first book in Romanian language, 1717, the first brewery. 🔍 The collective rights of the Transylvanian Saxons included, among other things, exemption from taxes, the right to choose the royal judge, and later to elect the mayor. 🔍 The "red city" is one of the "nicknames" of the city, received after a failed Turkish siege. Probably due to the color of the walls, Sibiu is described as "the red city", impossible to conquer. Its fortifications have never been breached.

A place made by people for people!

Of all the buildings in the Grand Square, there is one particularly appealing. Notice the façade with the huge portal and the mansard steep roof. These elements are characteristic of the period in which they were built: the late Austrian Baroque, adopted in Transylvania in the eighteenth century. The imposing estate is the first public museum in Southeastern Europe, and the third in the world. It opened its doors in 1817, 14 years after the death of the baron who built it: Samuel von Brukenthal. Brukenthal is one of the most important personalities in the history of Sibiu and Transylvania. He represented the interests of the Saxon community at the court of Empress Maria Theresa and became her personal advisor. From 1777 to 1787, he was the Governor of Transylvania. His passion for art, literature, cartography, numismatics and science in general led him to collect numerous objects throughout his life. He gathered works of art, books, coins, minerals and other valuable objects in his palace in the Grand Square. He fought for the preservation of the rights of nations in Transylvania, in the face of the new administrative system imposed by Joseph II. Brukenthal was also concerned with the development of agricultural crops and animal husbandry. He cultivated exotic plants in the Orangery of his summer palace in Avrig, and the whole Empire knew about his horse stud farm in Sâmbăta de Jos. To get a closer look at the Baron's universe, take a few hours to visit the museum's collections. You can enjoy its bohemian atmosphere even with a quick stroll in the courtyard and the garden of the palace. You may have a chance to meet Donatello and Antonello, the museum's live mascots. 🤔 Did you know? 🔍 In addition to his buildings, Samuel von Brukenthal left 1300 paintings (Flemish and engraving), 13000 books (a large number of them unique and incunabula), 17500 antique coins, a cabinet of curiosities, a cartographic collection and a collection of Roman stones. 🔍 Brukenthal’s beautiful wife, Katharina Sofia, who was the daughter of Mayor Klockner, aided him. 🔍 The portal of the palace is decorated with the coat of arms of the Brukenthal family and of his wife. The stone bridge refers to Brukenthal's original name, Brekner. In the Saxon language, Bräk means bridge.

A recently renovated property, 4CENTER Apartments is located in Sibiu near Piata Mare Sibiu, The Stairs Passage and Union Square. There is a private entrance at the apartment for the convenience of those who stay. The apartment features family rooms. Each unit is equipped with a microwave, fridge, a coffee machine, as well as a kitchenware and kettle. With a private bathroom equipped with a shower and slippers, units at the apartment complex also offer free WiFi. At the apartment complex, all units come with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the apartment include The Council Tower of Sibiu, Albert Huet Square and Liars' Bridge. The nearest airport is Sibiu International Airport, 4 km from 4CENTER Apartments.

Once you leave the Tourist Information Center, you are the heart of the city – the Grand Square, a space morphed by each century according to the historical period. The square was made in the 13th century, after Sibiu gained the right to organize fairs. They were held around a water well called “the stork”. After the city received the right to pronounce capital punishments, public convictions and executions took place here (until the eighteenth century). In the same square, the locals dug grain silos, as a precaution in the event of a siege. Their entrances are highlighted by 5 circles covered with black marble. Nearby, you might notice a pentagon in the pavement, drawn with red stones, marking the place where the statue of Nepomuk once stood (from 1734 to 1948). He was the Catholic saint of the city. A few steps further, a commemorative plaque pays tribute to the heroes of the 1989 revolution. Not far away, other red stones form a circle, a remainder of the first water pomp. From 1984 to 2004, the statue of Gheorghe Lazăr dominated the square. Today, a reinvented version of the statue stands near the Council Tower, looking at the Grand Square. About 100 m to the west, another brick circle marks the location of the column of infamy and Roland's statue, placed there between 1550 and 1783. The knight of justice, with his sword raised to the sky, was a symbol of the authority and legislative autonomy of the city. Imagine the hundreds of generations grinding the stones of the Grand Square, on foot, by carriage, bus, tram or car. Here, they had the opportunity to watch a beheading, or celebrate important moments in the life of the city. Today's square reflects the history and culture of the city, being a space defined by its inhabitants, and all those who embrace it. 🤔 Did you know? 🔍 The square has a maximum length of 142 m and a width of 93. 🔍 In the 18th century, there was a "madmen's cage", to imprison those who disturbed the streets at night. 🔍 Today, the statue of Ioan Nepomuk is sheltered in the courtyard of the Roman Catholic parish in the Grand Square. You can see it if you follow the second entrance of the church. 🔍 You can watch online what is happening in the Grand Square, via webcams available in the Sibiu City App.

We are a car rental company for offroad cars in Sibiu. We have several Suzuki Jimmys, a Vitara and a Nissan Patrol. We can even do tours with you, if interested.

The panorama of Sibiu as seen from the 11th floor is impressive and the 585 Fusion restaurant of the Golden Tulip Ana Tower Sibiu hotel creates a new perspective on Sibiu, offered by the height of the 585 meters altitude above the sea level.