Sibiu County

Description:

Geographical position

                Central Romania, south of Transylvania, situated especially in the OIt River basin, within the large arch formed of Fagaras and Cibin Mountains.

 

Neighbours

                On the north: Mures County, on the east: Brasov County, on the south: Arges and Valcea Counties, on the west: Alba County.

 

Surface

                5,432 sq. km (respectively 2.3% of the country's territory).

 

Population

                444,000 inhabitants.

 

Towns

                Sibiu, county capital, with 169,000 inhabitants, at 272 km far from Bucharest, important industrial, commercial, cultural, tourist centre, it still has the air of medieval bourg, with historical and art treasures that define the nobleness and beauty of this region. Sibiu town it is marked by an agitated history, the region where the town stands now has been inhabited since Pateolithic. It was documentarily mentioned for the first time between 1192- 1196, under the name of Cibinium, and between the 12th - 13th centuries the German colonists named the place Hermannstadt, although the Romanian population chose the name that reminded its onginal one - Sibiu. In the Middle Ages the town was wealthy and became the craft's town (in 1476 there were 19 guilds and 25 professions were practiced). It was an important scientific centre and in 1544 the first book in Romanian language was published here: „Romanian Catechism" and it was here that Nicolaus Olahus, European humanist, Samuel Bbwkenthal (passionate art lover), Simion Barnutiu, George Baritiu, loan Slavici worked. Sibiu is among the fewest towns in Romania where the contrast between the old and the new is so surprising. Many places are linked to outstanding names of Romanian culture: Rasinari (where the poet O. Goga and the great philosopher S. Cioran were born), PaItinis (where the philosopher C. Noica lived).

Medias is situated at an altitude of 295 m, with 64,000 inhabitants. The historical vestiges prove that this ares has been inhabited since early times. The town was documentarily attested in 1267 in a document signed by Stephan V, King of Hungary. In the 12th - 13th centuries, at the request of the Hungarian kings, the population later known as Szecklers settled here. At the beginning, they were supposed to defend the east frontier of the Hungarian country in exchange of some privileges. The mutual influences in what regards culture end civilisation of the three co-inhabiting ethnics (Romanian, Hungarian and German), their work together resulted in a booming economical life confirmed by the medieval monuments found in this region. Medias became Civitas in 1359, a well-developed trade centre that enjoyed the attention of the ruling court that included it in the 7 citadels).

                Other towns: Agnita, Avrig, Cisnadie, Copsa Mica, Dumbraveni, Ocna Sibiulul, Talmaciu.

 

Touristic sights

Mountains

                Fagaras Mountains (with Negoiu Peak of 2,535 m) ranking the 2nd among the highest mountains in the country that only in the west half of their north side is part of Sibiu County. Due to their size, massiveness and splendour of their ridges (reaching the highest altitudes in Romania), the Fagaras is one of the most important tourist area. It has numerous marked routes, chalets and shelters, is crossed by an important road called „Trans-Fagarasan" road (2,034 m height) that links Transylvania and Wallachia. These ,,Transylvanian Alps" hide numerous glacial basins and alpine lakes situated at high altitudes  which give an unequalled charm to this mountain landscape.

                Cindrel Mountains (Cibin), with Ciedrel Peak of 2,244 m, are characterized by their massiveness and slow ridges covered by meadows. Their solitary peaks, alpine meadows, picturesque and deep valleys covered  with forests, hunting and fishing possibilities are fascinating for the visitors.

Gorges and narraw paths

                Olt Pass (only 12 km of the northern half in Sibiu County), renown for its picturesqueness, it separates the Cindrel and Lotru Mountains from the Fagaras Mountains, and is an area of great tourist value thanks to its scenery. The peaks of 1,700 m high dominate the transversal valley of the Carpathians. Due to the very steep slope of the Fagarasi, the river's waters jump over its abrupt slopes and level variations in and form numerous waterfalls (Balea waterfall is the most beautiful).

Lakes

                Bales Lake (65 km far from Sibiu), glacial lake situated in the Fagaras Mountains, at the origin of Curtisoara,at an altitude of 2,034 m, declared natural monument, is one of the largest and most beautiful glacial lakes of  Romania (360 m long and 11 m deep). 100 ha around the lake have been declared scientific reservation of numerous plants (edelweiss, yellow poppy) and animals  (9 chamois, lynx, mountain eagle) protected by law.

                Cindralul Mountain Lakes, complex reservation  (450 ha) with several glacial basins situated at an altitude of 2,168 - 2,245 m. Various species of animals protected by the law (chamois, bears, wolves) live around these mountain lakes.

                Bottomless Lake in Ocna Sibiului, geological reservation of a lake situated on the hollow of a crashed former salt mine. The lake is 35 m deep end has a great therapeutic value, its waters being thermally stratified (the ealt water under the fresh water causes the retention of solar heat).

                Other lakes: Podragu and Avrig, glacial lakes, Cibin, Sadu end Hartibaciu, dam lakes.

 

Relief

                Is varied and slowly descends from south. The Fagaras Mountains (Negoiu Peak of 2,535 m, with an alpine toothed ridge, glacial basins and valleys, and beautiful waterfalls), the Cindrelelui and Lotrului Mountains (with plane surfaces, slightly undulated, with Cindrelul Peak of 2,245 m, Steflesti Peak of 2,244 m, and deep valleys contrasting with the high ridges), separated by the Olt Pass, on the north-Secaselor and Hartibaciului Plateau, Tarnavelor Plateau (with heights of 600 - 700m), the large Depression of Sibiu.

 

Climate

 

                Is continental, colder than in the rest of the country. July is the hottest (10- 20°C) and January (-2- 10°C) is the coldest month, with random rainfalls and the local winds: breeze, Big wind, west and south-west winds.

Watercourses

                The OIt river with its tributary the Cibinul (its tributaries are Hartibaciul, Raul Mare and Sade); the Mures River (on the north-west), the Tarnava Mare, as well as the salt waters of the Ocna Sibiului, the Miercurea Sibiului and the Bazna with therapeutical effects.

 

Reservations and natural monuments

                Turnu Rosu Limestone (30 km far from Sibiu), geological reservation of Eocene limestone at the foot of the Fagarasi, near the Olt Pass. It has a great scientific value (natural monument) end the limestone and con- glomerates contain the most beautiful samples of shellfish of Romania, reptiles teeth, corel, reptile.

                Muddy Volcanoes Hasag (21 km far from Sibiu), interesting geological reservation represented by miniature „volcanoes" - The mud evacuated to the surface formed the cones through which the water comes out with bubbling methane gas.

                Cisnadioara Limestone, geological reservation in form of a massive limestone block where a rich end varied fossil fauna was identified.

                Other reservations and natural monuments: Gaujoara Clearing (25 km far from Sibiu).

Spas and Touristic Health Resorts

                Paltinis (34 km far from Sibiu), situated in the Cibinului Mountains under Oncesti Peek (1,717 m), is the highest permanent spa and resort of the country: 1,442 m. Ths spa was established by the Transylvanisn Carpathian Society in late 21st century. Of the initial villas, the spa preserved the Tourists' House (1894), the Physicians' House (1895), the Monaco Hall (1898) and another villa that were declared historical monuments, as well as hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs and a library.

Among its therapeutic factors it is worth mentioning the alpine climate of high altitude, invigorating very ozonized air with iodats aerosols, moderate temperature (annual average temperature of 4˚C), cool summers without strong winds, clear sky, splendid mountain landscape. The mountains' peaks go higher than 2,000 m, the fir tree forests with their fresh create an already calm end relaxing atmosphere, whatever the season.

Numerous marked paths help the tourists staying in Paltinis know the Cindrel Mountains (Cibinulul Gorges and Sadel valley and their dams may be easily reached from hare). In the winter (about 6 months a year), the heavy snow of the mountainsides makes Paltinis a perfect resort for the winter sports. There have been arranged slopes with different degrees of difficulty (for example, the one on the Oncesti Mountain) for skiing and sledding, the means of cable transportation facilitate the access to the slopes. The resort may be reached by railway - Sibiu railway station on Bucharest - Bragov - Arad line, than by motor vehicle to the resort, by road - DN1 from Oradea or DN 7 (E 15) from Bucharest to Sibiu, than local road through Rasinari village to the resort, by plans: from Bucharest to Sibiu, then by motor vehicle to the resort.

                Ocna Sibiului (14 km north of Sibiu), a spa open the entire year situated in Sibiu Depression (at 410 m altitude), surrounded by hills covered by oak forests. The spa has bean well-known since the Dacian Roman period (when the salt mines were exploited). Today, there are no lees then 15 lakes (with mineral chloro-sodium waters) formed in the former salt mine cavities, some of them are swimming pools, others used only for treatment .The mild climate of the depression sheltered by hills, the aerosols, the annual average temperature (8.8°C), the healing effects of the salt water of the lakes ares invaluable sources ot health. The spa may be reached by railway - the flag stop: Baile Ocna Sibiului on Sibiu - Copsa Mica line, by road - DN1 or DN 7 (E 15 A) from Sibiu or Sebes, with deviation at the airport.

                Bezna, a watering spa opened the entire year, 72 km far from Sibiu, is famous for the efficiency of its mineral water springs end therapeutic mud and its picturesque landscape.

Historical vestiges

                Medieval Fortifications in Sibiu, represented by an impressive number of towers of which the most important are: Ths City Hall Tower (a special attraction for the visitors built in the 12th century and modified in the 15th, 17th centuries end in 1826). The Stairs Tower is one of the oldest constructions of the town, raised in 13th century as an element of the town's fret defence system. The Gets's Tower (15th century). The Carpenters' Tower, its foundations and a part of ths walls were made of stone at the beginnings of the 15th century.

 

Religious buildings

                Cistercian Monastery in Carta (17 km far from Sibiu), is the oldest Gothic construction of Romania. It was raised by Cistercian monks (monastic order originated in France) in 1202, it was robbed and set on fire during the Tartar invasion (1241 - 1242). Afterwards it was reconstructed. It wee disestablished by the King Mihai Corvin in 1474. Currently, it is a church belonging to Evangelic parish of Carta.

                Evangelic Church in Siblu, is the first monument on the Romanian territory that combines the archaic basilica with an elevation in Gothic Moorish style. Built in the 14th century, it still preserves mural paintings of 1445 and has a renowned organ.

Church Cisnadioare, the oldest Romanic church of our country, existing since 1223. It is considered „the most valuable monument of rural ecclesiastic architucture".

                Church Fortress in Biertan, remarkable monument of Gothic art and impressive church constructed between 1520 and 1522 and surrounded by strong towers end wells. it has en old collection of Oriental carpets.

                Fortified Church in Medias (14th - 16th centuries), has a valuable collection of Gothic mural paintings; its tower is 74 m high and has a clock that indicates the moon's phases. The ruler Vlad the Impaler was imprisoned here in 1476, following a conflict with Matei Corvin.

 

Cultural buildings

                Brukenthal Palace in Avrig (30 km far from Sibiu), Gothic construction of greet dimensions, limes the summer residence of baron Samuel von Brukenthal, governor of Transylvania (1721 - 1803), passionate collector of art objects. Built between 1780- 1785, the palace has one of the most beautiful parks, arranged in wide terraces descending to the Olt river meadow. Currently, the palace is a sanatorium.

                Brukenthal Palace and the Blue House in Sibiu, built in Austrian Baroque style between 1778- 1788, by the architect Martinell, is a prestigious museum now.

                Apafy Castle in Dumbraveni (20 km far from Medias), it belonged to the family of the Transylvanian prince, Mihai Apafy. The castle was built in the Renaissance's style between 1552- 1563, and today is a school.

                Castle in Turn Rosu (21 km far from Sibiu), massive Medieval fortification, raised in 1453 by lancu de Hunedoara.

                Brukenthal Museum in Sibiu, the oldest museum in the country and among the first museums in Europe (access to general public in 1617). It was founded in 1780 by Samuel Brukenthal, personal counsellor of Maria Tereza and governor of Transylvania. The former collections added to the collections of the Astra Museum and the Carpathian Society Museum resulting in one of the richest museums in Romania. It comprises art sections (painting, graphics, engravings and sculptures made by famous artists), history, nature sciences, folkloric art sections, as well as a library with precious books.

 

Ethnography

                Sibiu County is an original ethnographic region, a kaleidoscope of folklore art beauties (folk costumes, songs, dances, architecture). The villages from Marginimea Sibiului are famous for the authentic folklore, charming and colourful clothes, the peasant `s feasts and the customs transmitted from generation to generation. The following villages are real ethnographic centres: Rasinari (famous for the beautiful well preserved folk costumes and for the home-made tissues), Jina (3 km far from Poiana Sibiului with traditional customs, houses and folk costumes), Gura Raului (3 km far frow Orlat with tools wade by peasants on the Cibinul river), Saliste (21 km far from Sibiu, famous for the beauty of the folk costumes), Tilisca (26 km far frow Sibiu with original wooden houses whose interior is interesting for numerous decorative woven works), Marpod (40 km far from Sibiu, Romanian and German folklore costumes).