Evangelical Cathedral of Saint Mary | Sibiu

Information

Landmark: Evangelical Cathedral of Saint Mary
City: Sibiu
Country: Romania
Continent: Europe

Evangelical Cathedral of Saint Mary, Sibiu, Romania, Europe

The Evangelical Cathedral of Saint Mary is a 14th-century Gothic hall church situated in Huet Square, Sibiu. It is the most significant religious landmark for the Transylvanian Saxon community and features the tallest church tower in Transylvania, standing at 73.34 meters.

Visual Characteristics

The cathedral is a massive stone structure characterized by its steep, colorful tiled roofs and a seven-level bell tower. The main steeple is flanked by four smaller corner turrets, a medieval symbol indicating the city possessed the "Right of the Sword" (the authority to carry out capital punishment). The interior houses the largest organ in Southeastern Europe, a 15th-century bronze baptismal font cast from captured Ottoman cannons, and the "Rosenau Fresco" (1445) depicting the Passion of Christ.

Location & Access Logistics

The building is located at Piața Albert Huet FN, in the northern section of the Upper Town. It is a pedestrian-only area, accessible via a 5-minute walk from the Large Square (Piața Mare). The nearest vehicular access point is Bulevardul Nicolae Bălcescu, with public parking available at the nearby Piața Teatrului or the lot behind the City Hall. From the Sibiu Central Railway Station, visitors can take bus line 5 or 13 to the "Piața Mare" stop or walk approximately 0.9 kilometers via General Magheru Street.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Construction began in 1371 on the foundations of a 12th-century Romanesque basilica and was finalized in 1520. Originally a Roman Catholic parish church, it became the center of the Lutheran Reformation in Transylvania during the mid-16th century following the influence of Johannes Honter. The building served as the burial site for Sibiu's mayors and noblemen for three centuries; the most notable tomb belongs to Baron Samuel von Brukenthal, buried here in 1803.

Key Highlights & Activities

Tower Climb: Visitors can ascend the 192 steps of the bell tower to an observation balcony for a 360-degree view of the city and the Făgăraș Mountains.

Organ Concerts: The cathedral hosts weekly organ recitals during the summer months (typically Wednesday evenings).

Crypt Exploration: Access to the Ferula (the northern aisle extension) allows for the viewing of 67 funerary monuments and medieval tombstones.

Museum Visit: A small collection of ecclesiastical art and artifacts is displayed within the church nave.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are not available inside the cathedral but are located in the underground facility at the adjacent Large Square. The interior remains significantly cooler than the exterior during summer months, providing natural refuge from heat. Mobile cellular reception is 5G-capable on the grounds, though GPS accuracy and signal may drop within the thick masonry of the tower stairs. Small cafes and souvenir shops are located immediately around Huet Square.

Best Time to Visit

The best time for exterior photography is the early morning, when the sun illuminates the eastern facade and the colorful roof tiles. The cathedral is open daily (Monday–Saturday 10:00–20:00, Sunday 11:30–20:00). To avoid crowds on the narrow tower stairs, arrival before 11:00 is recommended. The winter months offer a high-contrast view of the spires against snowy roofs, though the tower may be closed during periods of extreme ice.

Facts & Legends

A local legend describes a competition between Sibiu and Bistrița to build the tallest tower. Sibiu's builders supposedly used a rope to measure Bistrița's tower in secret, but while they slept at an inn, the people of Bistrița cut two meters off the rope. This resulted in Sibiu’s tower being slightly shorter at 73 meters compared to Bistrița's 75 meters. Additionally, the cathedral is the site of the 1510 assassination of Mihnea cel Rău (Mihnea the Bad), son of Vlad the Impaler, who was stabbed to death on the steps outside after attending a service.