Sibiu will captivate you – that’s a fact! It has so much character squeezed into a relatively small area. Such are the wonders of Sibiu.
The upper town is centred around two adjoining squares, which are interlinked with smaller roads and paths. The Piata Mica (Small Square) is reached from the lower town by a brick-lined ramp, which is crossed by the Bridge of Lies. It is believed that should you tell a lie whilst standing on the bridge that the bridge will collapse – it’s best not to risk it, just in case!
Piata Mica, the smaller of the two central squares, is surrounded by bars and restaurants. It also links through a number of passages into the larger square, the Piata Mare (you guessed it – the Big Square). Cars are not allowed here, which gives it a more open feel, and it becomes the main meeting point of the town. It is where people come to see and be seen.
On our first night, the main square was hosting a free pop concert, and many thousands were gathered and were having a great time singing and dancing. We felt obliged to join in with gusto, despite not knowing either the songs or the dances! This partying had the perfect backdrop in the majestic buildings which ring this beautiful square; the most striking of which being the Bruckenthal Museum of art – which is well worth a visit.
The two foremost landmarks in the historic centre of Sibiu are the soaring towers of the Gothic Cathedral and the Council Tower. Of these, the Lutheran Cathedral of Saint Mary is the largest and most striking, especially when the sun glistens off its multi-coloured roof tiles. Inside, its lofty arches reach heavenward, giving the building an elegant charm.
Built originally in the 12th-century, the Council Tower sits between the two main squares and has a linking passageway beneath it. Whilst being smaller than the cathedral, the Council Tower is still an imposing seven storeys high. The tower is open daily, and for the price of a few Lei, you can climb to the enclosed lookout on the highest level. This gives breathtaking views across Sibiu – although the shortness of breath may have been due to climbing the stairs! It’s also the perfect introduction to the town, as it quickly helps you to understand how various roads and squares interconnect.
Feeding into the Piata Mare is Strada Nicolae Balcescu – this is the main commercial street and has a wide selection of shops and banks, as well as a host of restaurants and bars. It is always bustling and is a pleasant place for a stroll and a spot of retail therapy.
At Piata Unirii, this main shopping street meets with Strada Cetatii. This is a quieter street, that follows the old city walls, and which contains three watchtowers – the Harquebusiers, the Potters, and the Thick Tower. The street also borders a small park (Parco Cetatii) which shows the contours of the original defensive banks and ditches.
One must-see sight in Sibiu is the stunning Holy Trinity Cathedral. This Orthodox cathedral was built in 1902 in a Byzantine style. Whilst impressive externally, it is internally that the true wonder of the building can be seen. It is stunning! The walls and ceilings are adorned with decoration of the highest quality, with blue and gold being the dominant themes. The iconostasis, of gilt covered carved wood, is one of the most beautiful that we had ever seen.
Sibiu has so much more to offer than the main buildings discussed so far. It is a sprawling, yet an intimate town, which is best explored on foot. Be curious when doing so, duck into arches and passages that look intriguing and see what wonders they lead to.
Our traipsing in the lower town brought us by chance to Piata Cibin. This is a local food market, full of wonderful vegetables, flowers, and foodstuffs. This was thronged with locals, and we appeared to be the only tourists.
We really enjoyed our time in Sibiu, it’s special in its own right, as well as a great base to visit the local area.
