• The Historic Center of Sibiu

    The Historic Center of Sibiu

    The historic center of Sibiu, Romania, stands as a testament to the city’s rich history and cultural heritage. Renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture and charming cobblestone streets, the historic center is a captivating blend of Germanic, Hungarian, and Romanian influences.

    On the Citadel Street (Strada Cetății) you will find a couple of important old landmarks like the Potter’s Tower and the Carpenter’s Tower. You can visit the interior of those towers if you want but you will have to pay for a ticket. Walking along the walls offers visitors a chance to appreciate the strategic planning that went into protecting Sibiu.

    These old towers can be found almost at the edge of the historic center of this beautiful Transylvanian city.

    The Carpenter's tower.
    The Carpenter’s Tower.
    The Potter's tower
    The Potter’s Tower

    Continuing our walk towards the Large Square in the historic center, I discovered another amazing building. The white building from the image below is the Imparatul Romanilor Hotel.

    Imparatul Romanilor Hotel.
    Imparatul Romanilor Hotel near the Large Square.

    The Large Square

    Another popular place in Sibiu is the Large Square where you will find many landmarks to visit. Besides the historical landmarks, you will also find many restaurants with terraces and various shops.

    Among those important landmarks that are located in the Great Square, I can mention the Brukenthal National Museum which was the first museum in the region of Transylvania, the Council Tower, and almost in the middle of the square, you will find the Falkenhayn fountain.

    The Large Square in Sibiu where you can find the Brukenthal National Museum.
    The city hall, the Brukenthal Museum and the Roman Catholic Church in the Large Square.
    Terraces in the Large Square of Sibiu.
    Well maintained old Transylvanian buildings in the square.
    The well with the Council Tower in the backfround.
    A well in the center of the Large Square.
    The Falkenhayn well.
    The Falkenhayn well.

    The Small Square (Piața Mică)

    After exploring the Greater Square it was time to head towards the Little Square which is a very short distance away. The Small Square is encircled by colorful baroque-style buildings adorned with arched windows and intricate facades, the square offers a glimpse into Sibiu’s rich past. Cobblestone streets add to the medieval ambiance, inviting visitors to take a leisurely stroll through time.

    View of the Small Square.
    Colorful baroque-style buildings

    My first stop in the Small Square was at the Lutheran Cathedral of Saint Mary which was recently restored. The Cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and a significant landmark with deep historical roots. Often referred to as the “Cathedral of Sibiu,” it stands as a testament to the city’s rich cultural and religious heritage. Construction of the cathedral began in the 14th century, and the building has undergone various modifications and renovations over the centuries.

    The Lutheran Cathedral
    The impressive Lutheran Cathedral in Small Square.

    Behind the Lutheran Cathedral, you will find the Guilds Tree and the famous Liars bridge. The Guilds Tree, a symbolic representation of the diverse craft associations that flourished in Sibiu during the 14th century.

    The Guilds Tree,
    The Guilds Tree.
    Close-up photo of the Guilds Tree.
    The Guilds Tree located behind the Lutheran Cathedral.

    The Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului) is another iconic landmark in Sibiu. Standing at the heart of the city, this medieval tower offers panoramic views of the historic center and the surrounding landscapes. The Council Tower is a reminder of Sibiu’s role as an important medieval trading city.

    The Council Tower and many terraces in the Small Square.
    Multiple restaurants and terraces.
    The Council Tower in Sibiu
    The Council Tower.

    The Bridge of Lies, is a fabled pedestrian bridge situated in the heart of Sibiu. As an interesting fact, it was the first iron-cast bridge built in Romania.

    View from the Bridge of Lies.
    The Small Square in Sibiu as seen from the Bridge of Lies.
    Small shops and the Lutheran Cathedral's tower in the background.
    Old buildings in the Small Square.
    Narrow street with multiple stairs near the Small suare.
    A street in the city center.

    Is there something else to visit in Sibiu?

    Certainly! Beside the historic center of the city, you can also visit the steam locomotive museum which is located close to Sibiu train station. Over there you will have the chance the discover what type of steam locomotive were used by the Romanian state railway company (C.F.R).

    Steam locomotives in the museum.
    Old steam locomotives in the museum.

    What to visit near Sibiu

    To be honest, there are many places to visit near Sibiu. Below I’ve shared a couple of them:

    • The Fortified Church in Cisnădioara – this fortified church is located on the top of a larger hill. You will have to pay for a ticket in order to visit it. This is the closest objective to Sibiu.
    • Sighișoara medieval citadel – this medieval citadel is among the most popular ones in the historic region of Transylvania.
    • Cârța Monastery – this is another place to visit especially if you are in the Făgăraș region.
    • The Biertan Fortified Church – this old church is actually not very far from the medieval citadel of Sighișoara. In case you are in the area, you will have to visit this place as well.
    • The Clay Castle – This another amazing place to visit in the Făgăraș region.
  • The Dendrological Park in Buziaș

    The Dendrological Park in Buziaș

    The Dendrological Park can be found in the small town of Buziaș. This town is only about 34 km away from the Romanian city of Timișoara. The dendrological park has a surface of over 20 ha and back in 1839 it was declared a spa due to the mineral springs found in the area.

    There are a couple of wells from where you can get mineral water. One is located in the park, close to the ruins of Baia 2. The other one, can be found right next to the edge of the park, close to the hotel Timis.

    During my last trip to Buziaș, the entire park was under construction. Hopefully in the near future, the park will regain it’s former beauty.

    The Covered Colonnades

    Below you will see some photos which were taken inside the dendrological park where you are able to see some wooden covered colonnades which were built in Turkish-Byzantine style. The original colonnades where actually built on the request of Emperor Franz Joseph I and it’s the main attraction in the park.

    The covered colonnades in Buziaș.
    Wooden covered colonnades built in Turkish-Byzantine style.
    The exterior of the colonnades.
    A part of the colonnades in Buziaș.
    Paved path in the park.
    Another path in the dendrological park next to the cover colonnades.

    One of the oldest tree in the park

    In the dendrological park you will find many species of trees, the most common is the plane tree (Platanus). In the photo below you will find a tree which was planted in 1812.

    Platanus tree planted in 1812

    The Bazar Villa

    Right behind the oldest plane tree you will find the beautiful Bazar villa which was a spa hotel in the past.

    The Bazar villa in the dendrological park in Buziaș.

    At the Airpot

    On the edge of the park you will find a place called the Airport where you will find some examples of old airplanes. The largest plane in a Soviet Lisunov LI-2 which is actually a copy of the famous American Douglas DC3 aka “Dakota”. According to some older stories, the plane has belonged to the former communist president Gheorghiu Dej.

    Between those two large planes you will find the control tower.

    Lisunov LI-2 plane

    The second plane is also from the Soviet era, this is actually an Antonov AN-2 bi-plane and it was used as a utility plane in agriculture.

    Antonov AN-2 bi-plane
  • Lake Cincis near Hunedoara

    Lake Cincis near Hunedoara

    After exploring the beautiful Corvin Castle located in the city of Hunedoara, our next objective in the area was lake Cincis located in the Poiana Rusca Mountains The distance between the Corvin Castle and the lake is about 13 km.

    Short history of the lake

    In 1962 the entire village of Cinciș, which currently lies under the lake’s water, was evacuated. Back then, around 800 families had to be displaced. After the completion of the dam, in 1964, the lake supplied with water the city of Hunedoara and the former steelworks from the city.

    If you plan to stay for a longer time near the lake, then you will find many hotels and pensions close to the lake. To be honest the scenery is really beautiful. On clear days you will have the chance to admire the distant Retezat Mountains as well.

    This place is very popular in the summer season when many tourists come to lake Cinciș to relax or swim.

    Lake Cinciș with the Poiana Ruscă mountains in the background.
    Lake Cincis with the Poiana Rusca Mountains in the background.
    Lake Cinciș in late autumn.
    Panoramic view of the lake in late autumn.
    The scenery which surrounds the lake.
    The lake on a beautiful autumn day.
    The Retezat Mountains in the background.
    The Retezat Mountains covered by clouds.

    We spent a couple of hours at a restaurant with a view of the lake, and I have to say, this place is truly incredible. It was definitely worth the short detour we took on our way from Hunedoara to Densus. To my surprise, there were a lot of visitors at the restaurant where we enjoyed a delicious traditional Romanian dinner. What is important to mention, if you are driving from Hunedoara, the road is in a good condition and you can arrive here very fast. In my opinion, the road that was built on the left side of the lake was built on higher elevation, as you drive from Hunedoara as I did, the views are even more stunning.

    In case you are visiting the Land of Hateg or perhaps you are visiting Deva or Hunedoara you should add this place to your bucket list as well. I strongly believe you won’t be disappointed.

    Other places to visit not far from lake Cincis

    • The closest objective to this place is the Corvin Castle which is located in the city of Hunedoara.
    • Not far from Hunedoara, you can visit the Deva fortress as well. This is another popular attraction in the area.
    • You can visit the old stone church in the village of Densuș.
    • Explore the old Roman ruins in Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa.