Annunciation Church (Biserica din Groapă) in Sibiu
About Annunciation Church (Biserica din Groapă) in Sibiu
The Annunciation Church (Biserica „Buna Vestire”), known in the city as the Church in the Pit (Biserica din Groapă), is an Orthodox place of worship on Strada Justiției in the Iosefin district, outside the old town walls. The name comes from the spot where it was built, in the valley of the Trinkbach stream. It was built in 1788–1789 at the expense of Stana, the widow of Hagi Petru Luca, and is one of the first masonry churches of the Romanians of Sibiu. The earthquake of October 1802 damaged it, and in 1802–1803 it was rebuilt from the foundations by the merchant Hagi Constantin Popp, Stana's son-in-law; the rebuilding changed its look under the influence of Viennese architecture.
The church is a hall church in a single body, with a semicircular apse and plain façades whose only decoration is pilasters. On the west side, above the porch, rises the three-storey bell tower with a tiled roof. The interior is sober, with no dome.
What you can see
On the balustrade of the gallery are oil portraits of the founders, Stanca Hagi Luca, Constantin Hagi Popp and Peuna Hagi Popp, beneath an inscription of 1831; the portraits of the metropolitans Ioan Mețianu and Antonie Plămădeală were added later. The interior walls were painted in 1961 by Nicolae Brana, and after repair work begun in 1991 the church was re-consecrated in 1998.
Around the church lies the parish cemetery, with graves from the 18th to the 20th century, among them those of the writers Zaharia Boiu and Ioan Codru Drăgușanu and the man of letters Moise Fulea, listed on the Historic Monuments List. The church, the parish house and the cemetery form a listed historic ensemble.
Good to know
The church is in use, and visiting is done discreetly, outside services.
- The three-storey bell tower above the porch.
- The oil portraits of the three founders, on the gallery balustrade.
- The cemetery with the graves of the writers Zaharia Boiu and Ioan Codru Drăgușanu.
- The parish house, a listed monument, next to the church.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Sibiu is on the A1 motorway; Cluj-Napoca is ~180 km away (~2 hours 20 minutes), Brașov ~140 km (~2 hours 30 minutes), Bucharest ~265 km (~4 hours). The church is on Strada Justiției, outside the historic centre, ~2 km by road from the Grand Square (Piața Mare).
Public transport: from Sibiu railway station it is ~2 km by road; Tursib buses run to the area.
- Where to park
Parking in the central zones of Sibiu is paid, at the machines or in the app; near the church you park on the surrounding streets.
- Rules
This is a working church: keep quiet and dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered); services take priority over visits. Photography inside is done discreetly, without flash. Animals are not allowed.
Frequently asked questions about Annunciation Church (Biserica din Groapă) in Sibiu
How long does a visit to Annunciation Church (Biserica din Groapă) in Sibiu take?
A visit to Annunciation Church (Biserica din Groapă) in Sibiu takes about 20 min (the church only).
Can you visit Annunciation Church (Biserica din Groapă) in Sibiu with kids?
Yes, Annunciation Church (Biserica din Groapă) in Sibiu is suitable for children (short, quiet visit).
Where can I park at Annunciation Church (Biserica din Groapă) in Sibiu?
There is paid parking at Annunciation Church (Biserica din Groapă) in Sibiu (on the surrounding streets). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Annunciation Church (Biserica din Groapă) in Sibiu?
Annunciation Church (Biserica din Groapă) in Sibiu is located at Strada Justiției 5, Sibiu, Sibiu County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Annunciation Church (Biserica din Groapă) in Sibiu?
The best season for Annunciation Church (Biserica din Groapă) in Sibiu: All year round (all year).
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