Sibiu (German: Hermannstadt) is the historic Saxon capital of Transylvania, founded by German colonists in the 12th c. European Capital of Culture 2007 (jointly with Luxembourg). The old town is exceptionally well preserved — UNESCO 2008 (together with Saxon villages). 147,000 inhabitants. Famous for the „eyes" of the houses — triangular windows in the roofs that seem to follow you.
🏛️ Old centre
- Great Square — central square, one of the most beautiful in Central Europe. Surrounded by baroque palaces. Council Tower (14th c.) with view from 60 m (5 lei).
- Small Square — behind the Great Square, connected by passages. Here Bridge of Lies (1859) — Romania's first cast-iron bridge. Legend: if you tell a lie on the bridge, it collapses (false, but funny).
- Evangelical Cathedral — Gothic church from the 14th c. with 73 m tower. Tomb of Michael the Brave.
- Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral — replica of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
- Passage of Stairs — underground passage descending from the centre to the lower neighbourhood.
- Brukenthal Museum — Europe's second oldest fine arts museum (1817). Collection of Baron Samuel von Brukenthal, Habsburg governor.
🎭 Theatre festival
Sibiu International Theatre Festival (FITS) — in June, the third most important in Europe after Edinburgh and Avignon. 10 days, 500 shows from 70 countries. Hotels booked 6 months ahead.
🚗 Day trips from Sibiu
- Transfăgărășan (1h south) — famous alpine road.
- Mărginimea Sibiului — traditional villages (Răsinari, Sibiel, Săliște) with peasant houses and ethnographic collections.
- Sighișoara (1.5h north) — birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, medieval UNESCO citadel.
- Biertan (40 km northeast) — Saxon fortified church UNESCO.
🍽️ Cuisine
Restaurants: Crama Sibiu Vechi (in historic cellars), Hermania (traditional Saxon), Kulinarium (modern). Saxon specialties: pea soup, pies, pomana porcului (pork feast).
🚆 Transport
Sibiu airport (SBZ) 5 km — taxi 30 lei. Train to Bucharest 5h, Cluj 4h, Brașov 2.5h.