| Sibiu | |
|---|---|
| [image] | |
| Facts | |
| County | Sibiu County |
| Status | County capital |
| Mayor | Klaus Johannis since 2000 |
| Area | km˛ |
| Population - at 2002 - Density | 171,535 inh/km˛ |
| Geographical coordinates | 45°47' N / 24°05' E |
| Web | City Website |
Sibiu (German: Hermannstadt, Hungarian: Nagyszeben) is a city in Transylvania, Romania with a population of 170,000. It straddles the river Cibin, a tributary of the river Olt.
It is the capital of Sibiu County.
In the 14th century, it was already an important trade center. In 1376 the craftsmen were divided in 19 guilds. It became the most important ethnic German city among the "seven cities" that gave Transylvania its German language name of Siebenbürgen, and it was home of the Universitas Saxorum, the German "parliament" of Transylvania. In the 17th century, it was the easternmost city considered to be part of Western civilization (and the easternmost city that was included in the European postal routes).
During the 18th and 19th centuries the city also became one of the most important Romanian cities in Transylvania. The first Romanian bank had its headquarters here (The Albina Bank), as well as the ASTRA (The Transylvanian Association for Romanian Literature and for the Romanian's People Culture). After the division of the Romanian Church of Transylvania, the Orthodox part moved its headquarters to Sibiu, thus the city became the third most importnant city of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
After World War I, when Austria-Hungary was dissolved, Sibiu became part of Romania; still the majority of its population was ethnic German or Hungarian. After 1990 most of the city's ethnic Germans migrated to Germany. Among the roughly 2000 who remained was Klaus Johannis, who is currently mayor of Sibiu.
As of approximately 2002, Sibiu has a population of about 170,000. The ethnic breakdown is as follows:
Most of the population is of the Romanian Orthodox religion. Protestants and Roman Catholics represent 4% of the population.
Tursib is the city's transport system. It is also an important hub for the international bus links, the biggest passanger transporter in Romania - Atlassib is based here.
The city is also a hub for the romanian railway network - CFR, with links to Braşov, Râmnicu Vâlcea, Alba Iulia and Mediaş. It has an important diesel powered locomotives depot and a freight terminal.
Sibiu will be (together with Luxembourg) the European Capital of Culture in 2007. It will be the most important cultural event that happend in the city and a great number of tourists is expected, both domestic and foreign. .
The city of Sibiu and it's suroundings are one of the most visited areas in Romania. It is one of the best preserved historical cities in the country, many of its medieval fortifications having been preserved in excellent state. Its historic center has begun the process for becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. Also the city lies close to the Făgăraş Mountains - a very popular trekking destination, close to the Păltiniş resort - a popular winter holliday destination, and it is at the heart of the former saxon communities in Transylvania renowned for it's fortified churches.
There are over 35 hotels in Sibiu, with different classifications. The most esquisite hotel, is the "Împăratul Romanilor" hotel, located in the center of the old part of the city. Continental Hotels Romania owns tho important hotels in town and in 2006 it will upgrade one of them and rebadge it under the Ibis name with an Accor franchise. Also at least two brand new hotels are squeduled to open until 2007.
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Most of the exterior fortifications were lost to industrial development in the late 19th century; only one or two towers still exist. A representative building for the industrial development from this period is the "Independenţa" Highschool.
This area has the oldest church in the city, dating back 1386.
Brukenthal Palace, one of the most important baroque monuments in Romania, lies on the north-west corner of the square. It was erected between 1777 and 1787 as the main residence for the Governor of Trasylvania Samuel von Bruckenthal. It houses the main part of the National Brukenthal Museum, opened in 1817. Next to the palace is the Blue House, an 18th century baroque house bearing the old coat of arms of Sibiu on it's façade.
On the north side is the Catholic cathedral, St. Ursula's, along with it's dependencies. Also on the north side, at the beginning of the 20th century an Art Nouveau building was constructed on the west part, now it houses the mayor's office.
[image] Next to the Catholic cathedral on the north side is the Council Tower, one of the city's symbols. This former fortification tower from the 14th century has been succesively rebuilt over the years. The building near it used to be the council's meetingplace, hence the name. Moreover, beneath the Council Tower is an access way between the Large Square and the Small Square.
On the south and east sides are two- or three-storey houses, having tall attics with small windows known as the city's eyes. Most of these houses date from 17th to 19th centuries and most of them are in the baroque style.
The square is conected to the other two squares and to other streets by small, narrow passages. The main access from the Lower City is through "Ocnei Street", which divides the square into two. The street passes under the Liar's Bridge - the first iron cast bridge in Romania, dating from 1859.
To the right of the bridge is another symbol of the city, The House of the Arts, an arched house, formerly belonging to the Butchers' Guild. On the left side of the bridge there is the Luxemburg House, a baroque four storey house, formerly belonging to the Goldsmiths' Guild.
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In the 16th century more modern elements were added to the fortifications - leaf shaped tower on the corners. One of this type of fortifications still exists - the Haller Bastion at the end of the Coposu boulevard.
The 'Lucian Blaga' University of Sibiu was founded in 1990, with five faculties: Letters, History and Law, Medicine, Food and Textile Processing Technology, Engineering and Sciences. Nowadays, it has many departments.
Also in Sibiu there is the "Nicolae Bălcescu Landforce Military Academy" the second most important military academy in Romania, as well as some private universities.
In Sibiu there are 20 medium education establishments, the most prestigious being: