European Cultural Capital - Sibiu tour

Sibiu, european cultural capital - Introduction

Sibiu/Hermannstadt is perceived as a city of art and culture. A great number of cultural monuments, a diversity of museums, and various artistic and cultural events, make up the pillars of a complex cultural profile.
Using this simple premise, an attractive and stimulating atmosphere has been created for residents and visitors who take the opportunity to experience cultural life in this Transylvanian city

Today, old Sibiu still possesses much of its erstwhile charm, a character carefully preserved for posterity, and subject of several high-profile restoration projects.
It is also an easy city to explore on foot, one with a good selection of restaurants, pavement cafes and beer gardens, but perhaps the most enduring memory is that of the dormer windows overlooking the squares in such a manner that they give the eerie impression that you are always being watched - these are the 'eyes of Sibiu'!

 

Sibiu at a glance

Known in German as Hermannstadt, Sibiu has always been the centre of Romania's German minority since medieval times. Even today, it contains Romania's largest German community, and, due to initiatives by the local government, the Germanic feel of the area has been maintained. Sibiu also has a significant Hungarian minority, remnants of Transylvania's past as part of the Hungarian Empire and, later, Austria-Hungary. Despite this, Sibiu is also distinctly Romanian (95% of the population are ethnic Romanians) and manages to fuse these three cultures, as well as smaller minorities of Roma, Slovaks and Ukrainians into a city that is as wonderful as it is vibrant.
According to legend the lost children of Hamelin emerged from the ‘Almasch’ (Varghis) cave into Transylvania – somewhere close to Sibiu. This is the 'romantic' explanation for what was for many centuries a strange phenomenon: the presence of blond-haired, blue-eyed, German-speakers following ancient customs, yet isolated by hundreds of miles from Germany. The reality is that the fortified towns and villages of Transylvania were established in the 12th Century by settlers from the Moselle region, referred to locally as 'Saxons'. They were tempted to Transylvania by favourable market rights by the Hungarian rulers who wanted them there to guard the mountain passes against Tatar and Ottoman raiders. They created the 'Siebenbürgen', the seven fortified cities, while in villages they constructed fortified churches in which they could shelter during times of siege. Some of these churches are massive structures. The villages are often remote and although vestiges of the original populations may remain, clinging on to age-old traditions, many of them are in serious danger of losing their character as churches crumble. Various restoration projects have been initiated to rebuild the communities and to attract back some of the original inhabitants.

Sibiu's culture - Sibiu the cultural capital of Europe

Sibiu/Hermannstadt is perceived as a city of art and culture. A great number of cultural monuments, a diversity of museums, and various artistic and cultural events, make up the pillars of a complex cultural profile. Using this simple premise, an attractive and stimulating atmosphere has been created for residents and visitors who take the opportunity to experience cultural life in this Transylvanian city.
Sibiu/Hermannstadt has a Philharmonic Orchestra that performs weekly concerts of classical and modern symphonic music, also organises an international piano festival.
Sibiu/Hermannstadt has a two century history of theatrical shows which can be traced to the two theatres of the present. The Association of Theatrical Artists in Romania in 2002 awarded the National Theatre Radu Stanca, specialised in classical and modern plays, the Cultural Management Prize.
The Theatre Gong presents pupetteering, mime and non-conventional shows for children and teenagers. Both theatres have shows in Romanian and German languages.
The eight cultural centres (Municipal Cultural Center, County Cultural Center, Students Cultural Center, Cultural Center Friedrich Teutsch, Ground Troops Academy Cultural Center, German Cultural Center, House Ille et Villaine, European Center for Poetry and East-West Cultural Dialogue), the Writers’ Association, Artists’ Association and many other artists, cultural and sports associations offer a very diverse and rich schedule of events.

 

Sibiu ( european cultural capital) - short history

Sibiu/Hermannstadt is perceived as a city of art and culture. A great number of cultural monuments, a diversity of museums, and various artistic and cultural events, make up the pillars of a complex cultural profile. Using this simple premise, an attractive and stimulating atmosphere has been created for residents and visitors who take the opportunity to experience cultural life in this Transylvanian city.
Sibiu/Hermannstadt has a Philharmonic Orchestra that performs weekly concerts of classical and modern symphonic music, also organises an international piano festival.
Sibiu/Hermannstadt has a two century history of theatrical shows which can be traced to the two theatres of the present. The Association of Theatrical Artists in Romania in 2002 awarded the National Theatre Radu Stanca, specialised in classical and modern plays, the Cultural Management Prize.
The Theatre Gong presents pupetteering, mime and non-conventional shows for children and teenagers. Both theatres have shows in Romanian and German languages.
The eight cultural centres (Municipal Cultural Center, County Cultural Center, Students Cultural Center, Cultural Center Friedrich Teutsch, Ground Troops Academy Cultural Center, German Cultural Center, House Ille et Villaine, European Center for Poetry and East-West Cultural Dialogue), the Writers’ Association, Artists’ Association and many other artists, cultural and sports associations offer a very diverse and rich schedule of events.

 

Some sights and seeings in the cultural capital of Europe - Sibiu

The Council Tower
The Council Tower was built in the 13th century being the first time mentioned in a document dated 1370. Its name is related to the next building, which was the first Town Hall of the city. The tower became the entrance gate of the second fortified walls. At the last floor, an observation desk allows a bird-eyes view over the historic town and one floor below you can see the clock mechanism

The Arts House
The Arts House is one of the most beautiful buildings in Sibiu and one of city's symbols. The Arts House, is the Old Butchers house built in 15th century and designed for shops, dominates the square with its silhouette with eight arches at the ground floor. Now hosts the "Emil Sigerus' Museum

Stairs Tower
The tower, one of the oldest building in Sibiu, is raised on the foundation of the oldest element preserved from the first fortifications around the church existing here at the end of the 12-th century. The present tower is dated from 1542

The Fortress
The most of the remaining parts of the old City Walls and Towers can be seen on the East side of the town along the Coposu Avenue and Manejului Street. On Cetatii Street there are three remaining towers from the third belt of fortifications.

The Thick Tower
Built at the middle of the 16th century it used to be the infantry tower. The first town theatre was installed here in 1778. Recently renovated and incorporated in the new city theatre

Haller Bastion
Part of the protection edifice that surrounded the old town, built in 1552. Situated at the south-eastern end of the fortification, on the present Corneliu Coposu Boulevard, is an ample construction with brick structure.

In the Lower Town, at the further end of strada Zidului (Wall Street) stands the circular Gunpowder Tower (Turnul Pulberariei).
A circular massive tower built in 16th century as part of Ocna Gate Complex used to store gunpowder. In Pulberariei street stands an octagonal tower built by the Tanner's guild, Turnul Pielarilor

The Old Town Hall
A historic building used to be the Old Town Hall for 450 years. The building was built in 16th century in Renaissance and Gothic style.
There is a gallery in the yard, which leads to the tower.

Haller House, Piata Mare 10,
Built in Renascence style it preserves from the old edifice built in 15-16th century the arches, decorations, doorframes, and the portal with blazon. Haller family will be the owner of the building for 345 years.

Bobel House
It is among the oldest dwelling from Sibiu.

The Liars Bridge
The first iron-cast bridge in Romania built in 1859 over the way of acces that connects the upper town to the lower town, opened in 1851.

Extraordinary natural beauties, magnificent towns and villages, first class resorts and historic sites surround Sibiu.
There are so many places of interest around Sibiu that make difficult to introduce all of them.

THE CHURCHES - MEDIAEVAL CASTLES
The south - eastern part of Transylvania, corresponding to the area where German communities have been colonised (Flandrens, Teutons, Saxons) by the kings of Hungary, has a specific character. It is conferred by the frequency of the fortified churches, dating since the XIIth - XVIth centuries, present in most of the villages colonised by the German population, known under the name of Saxons.
The churches, fortified or not, have been surrounded by walls, towers and bastions of defense of a various and picturesque diversity.
The greater frequency of fortified churches is found in Sibiu County, Orastie, Sebes, Miercurea, Sibiu, Nocrich, Cincu, Rupea, Biertan.

Paltinis - Health Resort
Touristic resort situated at 32 km North - West from Sibiu, Paltinis is the highest (1440 m altitude), and the oldest resort in Romania.
It was founded by the Transylvanian Carpathian Society (S.K.V.) in 1894. The layer of snow resists about six months a year, being Paltinis visiting card for winter sports.
At Schit (Hermitage), near the wooden church, was buried Constantin Noica, the philosopher (1907 - 1987).

Ocna Sibiului
is placed at an altitude of 450 m from the sea level at 12 km from Sibiu. It has access to the main road, the railway and the Sibiu Airport. It was documentary attested in 1263.
The resort was officially inaugurated in the 20th of June 1858. Between 1906 - 1909, the central pavilion and the bathing house were raised; they are still existing. They have spaces for warm bathing, mud packing, aerosols, and basins. Since 1948 - Ocna Sibiului becomes a permanent resort.

THE REGION MARGINIMEA SIBIULUI
In a larger sense, the region called Marginimea Sibiului represents a geographical historical and ethnographical entity, including the chain of Romanian villages situated at the feet of Sibiu Mountains.
The following localities belong to the region called Marginimea Sibiului: Boita, Sadu, Rau Sadului, Talmaciu, Talmacel, Rasinari, Poplaca, Gura Raului, Orlat, Fantanele, Sibiel, Vale, Saliste, Gales, Tilisca, Rod, Poiana Sibiului and Jina.
The greatest part of the villages in the area has preserved strong spiritual and ethno - folkloric traditions, conferring to these communities a specific aspect. The wonderful geographic site, the purity of the people and of the nature, the richness and the diversity of the cultural patrimony, turn this place into a region with a great touristic potential.

 

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