24 hours in Sibiu – The historical tour

If you come to Sibiu to visit the historical center, you have to prepare to be surprised. From the open space of the Large Square to the narrow streets of the Lower Town, you will certainly find this area of Sibiu fascinating. We suggest you start your tour in the Lower Town, admiring the stone construction marking the former Dragon square [1] on 9 Mai Street. Go up Ocnei Street, heading towards the Bridge of Lies [2], the first iron cast bridge in the country, to which fascinating stories are connected. Enter the Small Square, glancing at the Council Tower [3], one of the most emblematic buildings of the city. Dare to climb the endless flight of stairs because the panorama from the Tower is well worth it! During the warm season, the Small Square fills with lovely outdoor cafés and bistros, and at wintertime, the square becomes a winter dream. Continue through the passage underneath the Tower and you will then find yourself in the Large Square. The streets open in a star shape from here. On General Magheru Street you will come across the Church of the Ursulines, Arhivelor Street will take you to the Schiller Square and the City Hall and the Brukenthal Museum [4] are situated on Samuel Brukenthal Street.
Visit the Brukenthal Museum, renowned in Romania and all around the world for its collections. You will certainly find it intriguing and your tour will prolong late into the afternoon. Back on Samuel Brukenthal Street, make a right toward the Huet Square, where you might like to visit the Evangelic Cathedral [5]. The Samuel von Brukenthal National College lies across the square, hosted by a very valuable building from a historical and architectural point of view.

Go down the Alexandru Odobescu Street. The Museum of History is situated immediately on the left and it is certainly worth your time. You will find here an impressive exhibition, created as a life-size mock scenery. Continue on your road down, towards the Lower Town again and immediately on your right you will see the Stairs’ Passage [6]. Go down the stairs. The wall on your right is part of the former fortification belts of the fortress, its present day aspect being the result of extended rehabilitation and conservation works. You will then arrive on Turnului Street. Take a seat on a bench in the small resting place around the fountain. While you are resting, look up towards the Upper Town. You will see the wonderful landscape of the church towers and the buildings bearing the distinguished mark of the centuries passing by.

Continue your tour on Centumvirilor Street [7] – the difference in the relief certainly creates an extraordinary lanscape. Move along on Tribunei Street. Perhaps you would like to go slightly to your left, on Mitropoliei Street, to visit the Orthodox Cathedral [8], a faithful copy of the Cathedral in Constantinople. Then come back on Tribunei Street until you reach Unirii Square. Take the street ahead –

Cetății Street. On your right, you will see the walls of the former fortress, with its defense towers, guarded in the past by the famous guildsmen of Sibiu. Take a close look at the buildings, look at the roofs with the eye-shaped skylights, while slowly walking on the paving that seems to resonate the long gone sound of the horses’ hooves, pulling along the small carriages. You will soon arrive in an open space where you will discover the splendid building of the State Philharmonics in Sibiu [9]. Further down you will discover another impressive building – that of the Museum of Natural History [10].

It must be evening time already. It is time to prepare for the theatre play, the concert at the Philharmonics or the outdoor event taking place in the center which we are sure you found in the

calendar of events (link). Then you can enjoy your dinner in one of the many restaurants in the historical center, savoring this beautiful day’s walk in Sibiu.