Sibiu - European Capital of Culture 2007Sibiu is one of the most important cities of Romania and the capital town of Sibiu county located in the center of the country in Transylvania. The city is easily reachable by road from Bucharest (via Brasov 315 km), Cluj-Napoca (163 km), Targu Mures (112 km), Timisoara (256 km), Budapest (430 km). You can also travel to Sibiu by train (click here to check the train schedule in Romania) or by plane. Founded over 800 years ago (the actual territory of the city being documentary attested in 1191 by Pope Celestin III), Sibiu was a city of craftsmen who developed over centuries a prosperous trade with Hungary, Poland and the southern province of Wallachia. The German name of Sibiu is Hermannstadt (mentioned for the first time in 1366) and even since its foundation the city has been a very important centre of German minority. Nowadays, Sibiu is known as a city of culture and art. Here are some of the highlights of a city that has preserved its pictoresque medieval atmosphere almost everywhere. Don’t miss them out when you are around. At the bottom of this page you can also find some suggestions for accommodation. Click here for an interactive map of Sibiu. The public transportation in Sibiu is provided by SC Tursib SA. Click here for a map of public transportation in Sibiu. The Large Square (Piata Mare/Piatza mare) The large square is located in the historical downtown of Sibiu and was first mentioned as a cereals market in a document dated 1411. For centuries this place was used for public executions and meetings. The square is 142 m long and 93 m wide being one of the largest in Transylvania. The southern side is preserved as an exceptional architectural monument. The Small Square (Piata mica/Piatza mica) The Small Square is the second largest historic place of Sibiu and it is surrounded by some of the most interesting medieval buildings in Sibiu. Here you can see:
The Huet Square (Piata Huet/Piatza Huet) The square is dominated by The Evanghelic Cathedral and it is surrounded by historic buildings in gothique style. Here you can see:
The Brukenthal National Museum The Brukenthal Palace is one of the most important baroque monuments in Romania. Built in several stages, between 1778-1788, it was the official residence of baron Samuel von Brukenthal, governor of Transylvania. At the end of the building work, the baron brought here his art collections. Martin Hochmeister's Calendar for the year 1790 (Hermannstadt in Jahre 1790), already mentions among the city's attractions the painting gallery consisting of 800 paintings, arranged in 13 rooms of the Brukenthal Palace. According to the Baron's last will, the palace was opened for the public in 1817, thus being the first museum in this country and among the first ones throughout Europe. The Palace is now the repository of the Brukenthal National Museum collections, the Brukenthal Art Gallery and Library. The Fortifications of The Sibiu Citadel These consists of the remaining parts of the Old City Walls and Towers. It worth visiting:
Technology and the Zoological gardens that are located in padurea Dumbrava (the Dumbrava forest) in a beautiful national park that was set up here from the 18th c. In 2007 Sibiu is the European Capital of Culture (together with Luxembourg). It is the most important cultural event that has ever happened in the city and a great number of tourists are expected, both domestic and foreign. The Cultural Capital status is expected to bring about an abrupt increase in quantity and quality of cultural events during year 2007. The long term effects, on the other hand, and the impact on the city's inhabitants are quite disputed. Some people consider the status of Cultural Capital a natural recognition of the city's merits, while young intellectuals consider it less of a recognition and more of a chance that has been generously granted to Sibiu. The city of Sibiu and its surroundings are one of the most visited areas in Romania. It holds one of the best preserved historical sites in the country, many of its medieval fortifications having been kept in excellent state. Its old center has begun the process for becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. Sibiu and its surrounding area have many significant museums, with 12 institutions housing art collections, paintings, and exhibits in decorative arts, archaeology, anthropology, history, industrial archeology and history of technology and natural sciences. The city also lies close to the Fagaras Mountains - a very popular trekking destination, close to the Paltinis resort - a popular winter holiday destination, and it is at the heart of the former Saxon communities in Transylvania renowned for its fortified churches. There are many hotels in Sibiu with different classifications. Here it is a list with some of the most important hotels (which you can also book online on our website by clicking on hotel's name below): Hotel Continental *** Hotel Imparatul Romanilor *** Hotel Apollo Hermannstadt *** Hotel Parc *** Hotel Ana *** Hotel Euro ** The slogan promoting Sibiu in 2007 is “City of Culture, Inter-cultural City”. You can find more information about Sibiu on the following websites: www.sibiuvirtual.ro www.sibiu.ro www.sibiu2007.ro If you intend to visit Romania and Sibiu please fell free to contact us for more info and travel advice at office@travelmaker.ro. We are trying to answer any question within 48 hours. |
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