Sibiu has a secret! Why do its countless eyes constantly watch you?

Today, it was a packing morning. We left Cluj-Napoca to reach Sibiu. It sounds like the best decision because Cluj did not captivate us this time. It seems that the cultural and vibrant soul of this city got extinguished by the restrictions caused by the current pandemic and has not yet been able to ignite again (May 2022). Maybe, another time, Cluj. But right now, it's time to leave. Sibiu has a secret and we will find it out!

How is driving in Romania?

Driving on Romanian highways has turned out to be a stressful experience. As an automatic reflex, when we drive out of our countries, we are more careful and we pay more attention to everything, the road, the signs, other drivers, speed limits, etc. We are fish out of our known water so better to watch out! But here in Romania, when it is about speed, sometimes it is crazy. Not even truckers, driving those very heavily loaded vehicles, respect the speed limits. During day and night, some have annoyingly pushed us with the lights, insults, or the claxon to speed or to move out of the road for them to overtake our car. It can be very stressful!

Therefore, we have added some extra stops to relax when things go hard and we feel already tense. On the way to Sibiu, we took a break in a town called Tupo.

It is a very small place but its quietness was ideal to relax and get back to the road. We haven’t talked much about the benefits of traveling by driving. It is comfortable in different senses. For instance, during this trip, we managed to stop every time we saw something interesting. We have found nice waterfalls, caves, etc. that were not in our original plan but they crossed our way. We miss those chances while traveling by other means of transportation.

Where is Sibiu?

Take your map and you will find Sibiu in the central part of Romania, to the West of the country. If you take the Romanian capital Bucharest as a reference, Sibiu is in the northwest. It straddles the Cibin river, a tributary of the Olt river.

By driving, Sibiu is 173 km (2 hours and 5 minutes) away from Cluj-Napoca, based on Google calculations. From Bucharest, Sibiu is 280 km away and it takes approximately, 4 hours and 25 minutes to reach it, based on Google too.

A bite of Sibiu’s history

Back in the 12h century, German settlers constructed seven walled fortresses in Transylvania. Sibiu was one of those fortresses and it became the most important. For this reason, Sibiu has a German name too, Hermannstadt (primarily called Hermannsdorf).

In the 14th century, Sibiu was already a relevant trade center. Even though it is frequently referred to as a town, it got the status of a city long ago, in 1366. In its early times, a guild organization prevailed. By 1376, there were nineteen guilds. Until 1941, its ethnic composition was mostly German and that influence remains in the city. At that time they were not called Germans, but Transylvanian Saxons. Many of them finally emigrated to Austria and Germany during the 1950s and even after the 1990s, but some stayed in Sibiu.

Shortly described, from its medieval origins, this city center got divided and developed into two parts. The lower town was established on the banks of the Cibin river and the upper town was erected on a terrace. Both towns were connected by a district full of narrow and cobbled alleys.

What to visit in Sibiu?

We arrived in Sibiu and the weather was very nice so we got motivated to explore! We just parked the car in our accommodation (a comfortable, clean, cost-effective, and well-located guesthouse), got some recommendations from locals, and started our way to the historic center or old town, as people also call it.

The historic center or Old Town

You know when you arrived in the Old Town because you see the medieval walls of the old fortress wrapping it around. Before getting there, what you see is a small but modern city, growing (we saw different ongoing constructions of buildings), with big shops, supermarkets, lots of cars, public transportation, etc.

Once you get inside the Old Town, everything changes dramatically! You walk on cobbled streets and stairs, you see narrow passages, colorful old-style houses, towers, fortified churches, monuments, statues, and many historical buildings. There is no way you don’t feel the big difference that means to be outside or inside the walls of the medieval center in Sibiu.

Besides, this, once around these old buildings, we felt something different, maybe weird. Well, at that early point, we could not describe what exactly it was, we just remembered “Sibiu has a secret”. Anyway, let’s keep going with Sibiu’s tour. We will talk about Sibiu’s secret later!

The Great Square or Big Square (Piața Mare)

This square is probably the most popular attraction in the historic center of Sibiu. It has been the center of the city since the 15th century. Here, different cultural events take place during the year. It seems to be a very active place and it can look different based on the time you visit it due to the variety of events it hosts.

It is very pleasant, well-preserved, and beautiful. You can see many heritage buildings together with renovated houses mostly from the 15th to the 17th centuries. And exactly this old space gathers most of the youngest people of the city, perhaps the country, and even foreigners, through music concerts, dance performances, all types of exhibitions, film, theater, and gastronomy festivals, etc. Sibiu’s Christmas Market is very popular. People say this Great square looks very nicely ornamented and lightened that it becomes like Santa Claus's village.

When we arrived, we found a music festival, food trucks, and comfortable spaces to enjoy both, the music and the food. It was named “Sibiutiful”. Our day could not be better. The Big square is wide, cute, and comfortable. You can explore as superficially or deeply, as you prefer, its different buildings, statues, cafés, and restaurants. We spent a complete day there and it was a very cool experience!

Wait a minute, the strange sensation we could not describe previously still was there. A sort of strange surveillance over us. M, while taking pictures, discovered a clue of that suspicious feeling we had. Was it only paranoia? What is Sibiu’s secret about? We will tell you soon.

Super Mama

This is not a museum, historic building, or monument. But you will be hungry at a certain point and believe us, this eatery must be officially called a tourist attraction of Sibiu! You have many choices of restaurants all along the historic center. Fancy restaurants, nice terraces, cafés, etc. Their menus are ok, no doubt about their quality. But as it happens in almost every place on the planet nowadays, the menu has been invaded by international food. It is not bad, but come on, we are not visiting Romania for eating American-style burgers or Italian pizzas. We are curiously craving local dishes, Romanian seasoning, and taste!

And honestly, we found this in Super Mama! The menu there is wide, the food is tasty, the portions are much better than in fancy restaurants, and the cost is very fair. The restaurant is clean and the service is quick. It can be a challenge because the staff does not speak much English and they want to make the service agile so communication can slow down things there. The good news is many locals eat there and as long as the line doesn't get stuck, due to tourists, they help with translation. Whatever is necessary to keep the line moving hahaha.

We visited the Super Mama that is the center and it has space outside for you to seat and eat there. But we saw at least 2 more branches around. One Romanian man who helped us to choose our meals, told us those are the type of meals Romanians eat regularly. “It is truly the type of meals my mom cooks”, he said, so the name of the restaurant is accurate. And that was music for our ears and good news for our belly! Seriously, the food was very tasty and truly Romanian so we recommend it a lot!

Brukenthal museum (Muzeu Brukenthal)

Once you are in the Great square, you will see the Brukenthal museum and you will feel that weird sensation again. A sort of surveillance or only paranoia? Anyway, there are more museums in Sibiu but this one is considered the oldest museum in Romania, so the largest art collection of Transylvania is hosted there. That may arouse your curiosity. Besides that, the museum’s building and its furniture are part of the attraction. Baroque style prevails there and we were told that there, Baron Samuel von Brukenthal, a Transylvanian governor lived. That is the reason for the museum’s name.

You can check details and updated ticket prices here, https://www.iabilet.ro/bilete-palatul-brukenthal-76211/

Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului)

This is a nice tower located between the Great Square and the Small square. The Tower’s passage connects both squares to be more precise. In the past, it worked as an entrance gate to the second belt of fortifications. There is access to the tower through a small door. There you will find a spiral staircase that leads you to the top (seventh floor). It is not hard climbing and on the way to the top for enjoying the panoramic view of Sibiu, you also can see the clock mechanism.

We thought “ok, if Sibiu has a secret, it should be visible from this tower”. And yes it was in front of us, all the time!

Small square (Piața Mică)

Once you pass beneath the Council Tower (through the passage), you reached the Small square. In the past, this square housed mostly merchant buildings. Nowadays, you will find nicely restored buildings, shops, cafés, more restaurants-terraces, and souvenir shops. Walking around this space is just as pleasant as the rest of the historical center.

Huet square (Huet Piața)

The biggest icon and reference for you to identify Huet square is the Evangelical Cathedral of Sibiu located there. It is 73 meters in height and its construction took quite some time. It started in 1321 and was ready in 1520. It was erected exactly in the place where an old church existed since the 12th century. It is considered one of the most impressive Gothic-style churches in Transylvania. Here the son of Vlad the Impaler, Mihnea cel Rau (Mihnea the Evil), was killed. If you are not afraid of heights, you can climb to reach a viewpoint at 55 meters height.

In Huet square, you also will find other constructions mostly from the 15th to the 18th centuries, like the Brukenthal high school, the Stairs Tower, and the Parish House.

The Bridge of Lies (Podul Minciunilor)

This bridge is a great accent in the landscape. It takes everybody’s attention so frequently you have to wait for others to take their pics before you can take yours. It was the first Romanian bridge cast in iron and a beautiful icon of Sibiu. It connects the Small square with the Huet square.

This bridge is the protagonist of different legends. The one that local people told us there was this: “if someone tells a lie while being on the bridge, it will know it and as a result, it will creak”.

Come on! First, “Sibiu has a secret”, then, we got this sensation like being observed while exploring Sibiu, and now, is the bridge a lie detector?! Haha, too much paranoia here hahaha. We called the bridge a “lie detector” as a joke, but actually, there is something fun, due to this legend, the bridge has truly become the spot for lovers to express their love. To do it here involves proof of honesty and sincere or true love. Nobody wants to tell a lie here to make the bridge creak and maybe collapse hahaha. That is cute, don’t you think so? The legend goes dark but then there is a corny twist, not bad hahaha.

The Stairs tower (Turnul Scărilor)

In the past, there were three access gates to the first fortifications’ enclosure, but only one was preserved. It is what now is called the Stairs tower and it dates back to the 13th century. The tower’s ground floor is the oldest building that has been preserved and nowadays, it is a café. Once there, you will realize how it connects the upper city with the lower one.

Lower city (Orașul de Jos)

The lower city was built beyond Sibiu’s fortifications. You won’t find many statues or monuments there but some of the oldest houses still exist and can be found there. Walking around this lower area is pleasant for the eyes.

Cetății park (Parkul Cetății)

Along the medieval walls and the alley of celebrities, you will find a nice path for walking on and it will lead you to the park (southeast side of the medieval fortress). There is a popular street here called Cetății so it can be the reference you need to enter in your GPS if you need it. Exploring the park can be relaxing for you and a chance to see the best-preserved fortifications of the old town. They have been renovated more than once or twice so you will find three towers there in very good condition. The Archebusiers tower (later renamed Postăvaris tower), the Carpenters tower, and the Potters tower.

ASTRA museum (Muzeul ASTRA)

This is a very popular place and Romanians proudly recommend it. The ASTRA museum or Museum of Traditional Folk Civilization is located in an area of the Dumbrava Sibiului Natural Park. Taking the historic center as a reference, the museum is southwest of Sibiu. Based on Google calculations, it is 7 km away from Sibiu’s center (20 minutes by driving). There is public transportation to reach it.

This museum recreates the life of an old Romanian village with its wooden churches, traditional houses (over 400), old mills, different workshops, traditional music, dances, and much more! The concept of an ethnographic exhibition or museum should be familiar to you, but this is considered the largest in Europe, and it is in very good condition. Be ready for approximately, 10 km of the exhibition (42 hectares of exhibition, 96 hectares in total). It will take you some hours. It can be a one-day trip for you.

Check details about the schedule, ticket prices, parking area, etc., and don’t miss it!

https://muzeulastra.ro/en/tickets-and-subscriptions/

Sibiu has a secret! Why do its countless eyes constantly watch you?

Let’s address this topic right now! Yes, Sibiu has a secret! Sibiu has countless eyes! We felt it from the moment we arrived in the historic center and during our tour there. And we confirmed it thanks to the pics we took. Here you have the evidence!

It is the houses, guys! It is not the people staring at you. It is nothing about surveillance cameras following your steps and moves. The old houses there! They have eyes!

Depending on your mood, those eyes can look very cute or disturbing, maybe threatening hahaha. They are present in many houses and buildings. Therefore, the eyes are countless! It is a detail that directly gets your attention once you are there.

Why do its countless eyes constantly watch you? Of course, we investigated their purpose and the explanation was simple. They are ventilation windows especially helpful to remove the heat of attics. Their presence is as visible as they have become a landmark for Sibiu. If you have visited Sibiu just check the pics you took. The eyes are everywhere! One Romanian lady told us “those eyes are proof that houses here never sleep” hahaha. Locals like the idea of keeping the tale alive and scaring visitors a bit hahaha It is nice! These eyes can be a great element for a thriller or horror movie!

Now you know Sibiu’s secret. This city has eyes! They don’t exactly watch you but it feels like that when you are around.

Talking more seriously, some Romanians told us that during the hard times of communism and oppression, local people felt those eyes as real surveillance. They did not doubt people were spying, following their moves to ensure they were not plotting against the government.

Then, yes, Sibiu is popular around because of its countless eyes. If you visit this city, get familiar with the eyes from the first moment so you don’t feel paranoid all the way. Besides, this is a cool detail that will keep Sibiu in your memories long time, hopefully, forever.

Conclusion

To visit Sibiu was a great decision! If you are hesitating, don’t! Include it in your next trip. You won’t regret it! Once there, explore, enjoy, and discover every corner and the stories that Sibiu has in store for you. Walk, we strongly recommend it! And behave properly, remember Sibiu’s countless eyes are watching you!

If you like Romania, you may find interesting:

Timisoara, the progressive city that broke the communist chain

Bigar, the once stunning waterfall that is collapsing!

Orsova, Romania, a beautiful discovery kicked off by an error

Sibiu has a secret! Why do its countless eyes constantly watch you?