COUNTY SIBIU

SIBIU LOCALITY

Settled in the south-west of the district with the same name, on Cibin valley, Sibiu is consigned in a document ever since 1192-1196 (Cibinium). It became a political and administrative centre around whom all the surrounding localities were gravitating in the Middle Ages and in the modern period. Sibiu is a touristic centre of great attraction because in few cities of the country, the contrast between old and new is so visible. While in the middle of the city – developed between the walls of the fortress enlarged gradually – the appearance of the buildings remind the middle ages, the rhythm of the life, the grand buildings and shops outside the fortress shows that Sibiu became a modern city. The existence of the first human settlements from today loses in the mist of the times. The archeological discoveries confirm the continuous existence of these settlements from the cut stone age until the written history. Interesting is the fact that the prehistoric settlement had a handicraft character, fact confirmed by the bronze foundry from the iron age, discovered on Gusterita, hill where developed also the daco-roman settlement near Cadonia near the roman cam Cadonia. This cam guarded the road arranged by romans on Olt valley, which trough Cibin depression forwards to the capital of Roman Dacia Apulum (Alba Iulia). The coins, dating from the following époque of the leaving of roman administration found at Gusternita, Turnisor and in the localities around Sibiu, prove that the local population never left these placements.

Medieval settlement, documentary attested in XII century under the name of Cibinium, it developed around a small fortress constructed in XII century on the terrace that overlook Cibin and destroyed by the tartars onrush in 1241. The fortress was rebuilt and enlarged in the next century, and in XIV century becomes a city of handicraftsmen (were 19 brotherhoods which contained 25 crafts) the development of Sibiu is connected with the intense trade that the city was doing with Wallachia, en exchange the crafts were receiving privileges. A powerful brick fortress built in XV century which color brings to Sibiu de name of “red city” is completed in the next centuries with new towers and bastions, and resist to the hardest attacks of Turkish contributes at the prosperity of the city. Important cultural events mark the development on this plan of the medieval city which in two rows was the capital of Transylvania voivodeship (1703-1790) and (1849-1865) and for some centuries its military capital

In the époque of development of the capitalism, the city begins to have an industrial character, and in the following decades, Sibiu becomes an important economical centre, knowing a new life full of accomplishments in all fields. Sibiu has also numerous edifices of education and culture and is an attractive touristic place trough its historic monuments such as:

- medieval fortifications with the towers of potters, coopers, smiths and close,
-the section of natural science of Brukenthal Museum and a little further the Haller Bastion (1551)
-Turnul Sfatului is in Piata Mica (Small Square), the centre of the second fortress of Sibiu. On the north side is a building that belonged to the craft of furriers and skinners and where in XVIII century theater shows played by barnstormers were taking place. The majority of the constructions from this square is monuments of architecture and represents typical medieval assemblies.

- Brukenthal Museum, which collections started to be organized at the end of the XVII century, but who opened in 1817 is the first museum in our country.

After 1948, as a result of the union with the museum of the former association ASTRA, of its reorganization on scientific basis and of completing the collections, Brukenthal Museum became a real institution, presenting to the visitors five sections of extremely important exhibits:
-The gallery of art, which contains pieces from the main schools of painting from Central and Western Europe and pieces of the most important Romanian artists;
-The school of folk art;
-The history section with exhibits that offer an ample presentation of the main problems concerning the history of Transylvania;
-the library;
-The section of natural science with valuable collections of zoology, botany and mineralogy.
– The evangelist church – gothic construction built during two centuries (XIV-XVI). It has as basis a basilica plan of roman type, but afterwards it was tried to be transformed in church-hall , change that was partially realized. A high tower overlooks the construction; its interior is impressive owed to the gothic cut arcades that sustain the arch. In the basement, trough other funeral stones, one can found the one that covers the tomb of Mihnea cel Rau, the Wallachian voivode, that was killed close to the church. Near the church, under a tower that remained from the fortifications from XIV century, it descends to Pasajuk Scarilor, a corner with a striking medieval atmosphere.

Dumbrava Natural Park, a beautiful forest set at the outskirts of the city. In the park were arranged unities of public alimentation, a zoological corner and a museum section, but also the camping field of Sibiu. The capitalization of the touristic potential of Dumbrava Park was realized also by the construction of a modern motel and of some constructions of the “holiday village”

The education has ancient traditions. Some schools attested in documents are one of the oldest from the country and real focus of culture for the entire Transylvania (attested schools even from the end of the XIV century). In 1445, with the help of Gh. Baritiu is founded the first high school for girls from Transylvania.

Sibiu has also a rich cultural and artistic life. In the locality functions The State theatre, with the sections of drama and puppets in Romanian and German. The state’s philharmonic with the symphonic orchestra and the orchestra of folk music “Cindrelul”.

The lands of Sibiu have been a real centre of cultural irradiation over the time. In this place lived a series of personalities of the Romanian and Transylvanian Saxon culture: Nicolae Olahus, Matei Miles, Ioan Piuaru Molnar, Gh. Lazar, Stephan Ludowiq Roth, Simion Barnitiu, George Cosbuc, Octavian Goga and others.
Their work brought a precious contribution to the cultural thesaurus of our country.
Those mentioned above confirm, and not without basis, that Sibiu was declared the “cultural capital of Romania”

The Sibiu’s surroundings offer possibilities of interesting excursions. Therefore Cisnadie city (14km) known trough it’s weaving mills can be visited. Here one can find an interesting fortified church dating from XII-XIV century. At 2km of Cisnadie is Cisnadioara, which cherry meadows offer in May an amazing view. At Cisnadioara is a valuable monument from XII century: a roman basilica, one of the first constructions of this type from Transylvania. One of the most beautiful and captivating excursions around Sibiu is one to Paltinis, the highest climacteric resort from our country (1450m). The way follows the way of Dumbrava and than the highway to Rasinari (12km), big village known trough the beauty of the folk art and folklore preserved by the inhabitants. At Rasinosi, is an interesting local museum where is preserved the flag with which the village’s inhabitants went to fight in 1848. Also here is the memorial house of Octavian Goga. From Rasinosi, the way to Paltinis passes near the Curmatura Stezii chalet (600m altitude) settled at 5km distance and begins to climb trough tight serpentines in Candrel Mountains reaching after 22km in Paltinis resort, place that has over 40 villas, part resort houses, and other touristic chalets. Numerous paths help the tourists that remain at Paltinis, to know Cadrel Mountains (named also Cibin Mountains) which culminant top – Cindrel, measures 2245m and keeps the marks of the glaciations from quaternary.

We can organize Tours that include - COUNTY SIBIU.

So do not hesitate to Contact Us if you want to visit them, or take a look in the Tours page and for sure you’ll find an interesting tour.

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