Most impressive hot spots in Sibiu

Only other very few Romanian cities can compete Sibiu as interesting targets for travelers. Sibiu is totally special. It was shortly a sort of Transilvanian Capital, preferred to bigger cities as Cluj Napoca, Timisoara or  Brasov.

Sibiu has been for centuries an example of peaceful living together of Romanians, Germans and Hungarians and even today is the first city when coming to the Romanian Germans, their intensive history or their newer investments in Romania. One of the legends about the first people living here mentions around year 1000 a German shepherd called Hermann, coming here from Nuremberg! The history is totally different, but the German name of Sibiu is Hermannstadt (or Nagyszebenyi in Hungarian).

Bruckental Museum in Sibiu, one of the hottest spot , really a World Attraction  deserving your time and money

Sibiu in its downtown is full of old historic houses having played a major role during the intensive life of this millenary city. For history or architecture  freaks is really thrilling discovering Sibiu. Make it walking in style, with a noon break at Imparatul Romanilor, the city's most exclusive restaurant (don't even think asking about horse meat, becoming shortly one of the favorite Romanian meals).

 The fortress of Sibiu is one of the most important city's landmarks, and you may not miss it. Build in the XIIth century and then modified and enlarged until the XVIth century was the strongest in the all Transilvania/Siebenbuerger and is still able to show very proudly  in some places its former glamour. At the peak of its development counted 39 towers, 2 platforms and 4 bastions. Access was granted exclusively through four well guarded gates (Cisnadie, Tower, Elisabeth, Ocna). Unfortunately, during the quickly development of Sibiu in the XIXth century most parts of the fortress have been demolished. Discover first the Stairs Tower, at Grivita Square, one of the city's oldest buildings (1292) and observe its Roman style. Bellow the tower, there is a tunnel connecting with the Fortress Hospital (nowadays an asylum for elder and seniors). It is actually the first Romanian  hospital using pharmaceutical recipes.

Another hot spot is the Old Mayoralty, one of the nicest and most interesting Gothic monuments of Transilvania. Build at 1470 hosted 400 years long the Mayor of the fortress.

Very typical for the Orthodoxe Church Architecture is the Old Church from street 1 Mai, similar to the church St Sophia from Istanbul.

But most probably the hottest spot in Sibiu, even if you are not necessary an art freak is the Bruckenthal Museum. His founder, namely Samuel Bruckenthal, was governor of Transilvania and private adviser of the Austrian Queen Maria Terezia (still having a statue in Sibiu). Observe first to the entrance the portal with the coat of arms of Bruckenthal Family. The Art Museum was opened in 1810 (three years before The Paris Louvres) and is the oldest in Romania. You need a few hours to watch all the masterpieces hosted by the museum, but you are going to feel much richer afterwards. It definitely deserves your time and efforts, due to the fantastic building and excellent paintings from different European schools!

On the Liar's Bridge from Sibiu you can check and double check  the strength  and reliability of your beloved partner!  Please don't cause any harm to the bridge!

If you need a break after this intensive cultural tour, take it on your own. You can make it on a budget in one of the city's many terraces and small, yet chic small restaurants ( special personal mention and recommendation for Crama Sibiul Vechi). But you can take also in style in the Hotel Restaurant "Imparatul Romanilor", the city's best, who hosted during the XIXth century some prominent personalities, like the King of Sweden, Franz Liszt, Johann Strauss etc. Enjoy the wine, enjoy the life, enjoy Sibiu with all your body and soul, as a World Attraction!

Sibiu Downtown looks very Medieval

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How to discover the best places in Sibiu

The truth is that Sibiu has many hidden corners, waiting to be discovered. It is one of the most touristic cities and Romania, and has so much to offer to any kind of travelers, starting from backpacker to seniors of 55+. You can, of course, to discover Sibiu on your own in your specific way, and you won't be disappointed at all, it is the best Romanian city for such unscheduled travels and discoveries.

If you hurry up, you can still get and see the Christmas market in Sibiu, which is an event and a must, comparable with other important ones in Budapest or Vienna

These days in Sibiu takes place the Christmas market. It is by far the best in Romania, comparable with the Christmas markets from Budapest and Vienna. Of course, another reason to enhance the local pride!

There are many myths and legends about Sibiu, based probably on real facts. For example e.g. at 1002 a shepherd named Herman, coming from Nurnberg, Germany on mysterious way looking here for his chance. He was simply seduced by the beauty of the landscape, and build a wooden cabin on the river Cibin. He called after other German colonists and thus appeared the Hermanstadt (city of Herman, as translated from German).

Bruckental Museum in Sibiu, Piata Mare

The are many places and buildings in the city remembering the German and Saxon traditions here in Sibiu. You will understand why the people used to call it "The little Vienna". Start your Sibiu walking tour from Piata Mare, which is a huge central marked, successfully rebuild, which hosted during the Middle Age all the social life, starting with executions or the shame pillar. Nowadays the people are more peaceful, and Piata Mare hosts rock concerts and a few lovely restaurants (starting with Imparatul Romanilor/ The Roman Emperor which is the city's best and most exquisite hotel and restaurant).

Lower Town of Sibiu is more genuine than the Upper Town

The buildings around the market represent different architecture styles, but the combination is happily a good one, and doesn't cause any harm to the market. The blue building on one side of Piata Mare is the Bruckenthal Museum, a must see for any art freak! Samuel Bruckenthal was born in Sibiu and became during the XVIIIth century Governor of Transilvania, while Sibiu was the Capital of Transilvania. It was probably the best period in the history of Sibiu, when it was glancing before cities like Timisoara, Cluj-Napoca or Brasov.

Don't miss the Liar's bridge, where the young ladies proofed the strength of the love promised by their partners or the old Mayor Tower. Walk further and discover the other two markets in this part of the city, Piata Mica and Piata Huet.. You have many things to discover in the area, and if you got tired and hungry, needing a refreshment, I can recommend you Crama Sibiul Vechi, on str Ilarie Chendi, in a picturesque cave, where the waiters wear national suits. The kitchen is specific Romanian, and excellent, as also the prices, with 10 Euros you can get a three course menu with a glass of wine (take the unbottled house wine, please).

Continue your discovery travel in Sibiu in free air, visit the ASTRA park and museum which is very relaxing and offers traditional houses and crafts from more Romanian regions. It is simply huge, the biggest free air museum in all Romania, with 300 rebuild houses, wind and water mills. Not to miss: The Transilvania Sestine Chapel, actually a wooden church depicting Bible scenes for the knowledge of normal visitors.

Last, but not least: if you are in Piata Mare, after walking on str Nicolae Balcescu, you find another good adress: Continental Hotel and Restaurant, whose former name was Hotel Boulevard, a landmark of Sibiu.

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