Dan Ware

Bulgaria & Romania: Sibiu

by Dan Ware

May 30, 2019 – Sibiu Sightseeing / Sibiel Horse Cart Ride

We reach the old city of Sibiu before the crowds of tourists and feel that we have the place to ourselves for an hour or so. Just like yesterday’s visit to Sighisoara, we see today that the guilds have been busy building their defensive towers as we enter the city beside one of those that remain.

Our guide today is Sebastian, who has a quick wit and knows how to keep his audience engaged.
One of the streets of Sibiu along the wall before the crowds descend for the day.
City Hall and Church on the main square of Sibiu. They’re getting ready for the marathon race that will start in this square tomorrow.
Another street leading into the main square of Sibiu.
Interior of the church on the square in Sibiu.
One of the interesting features of this town are what they call the “eyes of Sibiu” – these small windows in the roofs with protective eaves that make them look like eyes.
The ornately tiled spire of the Lutheran Cathedral in Sibiu.
To reach the Lutheran Cathedral you have to cross the Liar’s Bridge. It is said to be so strong that it will only collapse when the first man crosses who has never told a lie. Yup – it’s standing firm for us!
Statue of Bishop Georg Daniel Teutsch holding a Bible at the Lutheran Cathedral in Sibiu.
At the nearby Orthodox Cathedral there is a gathering on the front steps for a group photo with some priests and their wives. It is a little odd to see a fully frocked priest walking hand in hand with a woman!
Of course I take the opportunity to squeeze off a few candid shots.
The interior of the Orthodox Cathedral is astonishingly beautiful.
The walls are covered with the most vibrant and colorful frescoes. This image made me think I was in a synagogue instead of an Orthodox Cathedral.
The dome of the Orthodox Cathedral as seen from a distance. It is said to have been patterned after Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
Small group of Roma people seen as we passed on the street. We have not seen as many as we expected during this tour.
Our final stop for the tour is the Brukenthal Art Museum, where we have a private tour with Alexander, the Head of the Art Galleries. The museum is housed in the palace of Samuel von Brukenthal — who was Habsburg governor of Transylvania and who established its first collections around 1790. The collections were officially opened to the public in 1817, making it the oldest institution of its kind in Romania.
The collection in the Brukenthal Art Museum is simply astounding, but photos were not allowed inside. I only managed to sneak this one in an alcove depicting titanic struggles between mythical creatures.
After free time in the afternoon we head into the countryside for dinner at a traditional farmhouse. Our mode of transportation for the last several kilometers through the village is a horse-drawn cart.
All aboard! Please fasten your safety belts!
The sound of the bells around the horses’ necks and the clopping hooves in the quiet lane at sundown is simply magical.
A fun ending to another wonderful day in Romania!

Bulgaria & Romania: Medieval Times

Sensational Sao Paulo, Brazil

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *