Hermannstadt

Hermannstadt is the German name for the city of Sibiu, located in central Romania in the historical region of Transylvania. It is the capital of Sibiu County and sits on the Cibin River near the Carpathian Mountains. The city’s Romanian and Hungarian names are Sibiu and Nagyszeben, while Hermannstadt reflects its German-speaking Transylvanian Saxon heritage.

The settlement was established in the 12th century by Transylvanian Saxons invited to develop defense and trade in the region. It grew into a major trading town and fortified city, becoming an important administrative and cultural center. The name is traditionally linked to a medieval founder or leader named Hermann. The historic center preserves a large medieval street plan and a wealth of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. Key landmarks include Turnul Sfatului (Council Tower), Saint Mary’s Church (Lutheran), and Brukenthal Palace, which houses one of Europe’s earliest public art collections. The Big Square (Piata Mare) and the Small Square (Piata Mica) are connected by medieval lanes and, famously, the Bridge of Lies.

Cultural life is strong: Sibiu hosts the annual Sibiu International Theatre Festival, one of Europe’s leading performing-arts events, and in 2007 the city was designated European Capital of Culture alongside Luxembourg. The Brukenthal National Museum and the nearby ASTRA Museum Complex at Dumbrava Sibiului reflect the region’s diverse heritage, including its Transylvanian Saxon roots.

In the late 20th century, the German-speaking population declined, and today Hermannstadt is a multicultural Romanian city that preserves its historic core while functioning as a modern urban center with a vibrant cultural scene.