Sibiu, Medieval fortress in Transylvania, Romania
Sibiu is a city in Transylvania in central Romania with well-preserved medieval ramparts and several large squares. The architecture shifts between Gothic churches, Baroque palaces and townhouses with steep tiled roofs.
Colonists from the Rhineland and Flanders arrived in the 12th century and built the first fortifications on the site of an older village. The city later became the seat of Saxon administration in Transylvania and held this status for several centuries.
The name comes from the Cibin River and the old town still shows traces of German architecture with narrow lanes and tall roofs. Houses in the upper part often have eyes on the roofs, small dormer windows that look down like faces onto the streets.
The city can be explored on foot as most sights in the old town are close together. Cobblestones cover many streets and alleys so comfortable shoes are recommended.
The Lutheran cathedral has a bell tower that took six centuries to complete from 1320 to 1906. Below the Great Square lie several medieval cellars that once served as warehouses and are now sometimes opened for events.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
