ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilisation
About ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilisation
In the Dumbrava forest, on the southern edge of Sibiu, lies a Romanian village made of buildings brought from every corner of the country: peasant farmsteads, workshops, water mills and windmills, sheepfolds, wayside crosses and wooden churches. Each was taken apart in its home village and rebuilt here together with its interior, so a walk through the museum is a journey through how people lived and worked in the countryside before industrialisation.
The museum was founded in 1963 by a team led by the ethnologist Cornel Irimie, under the name Museum of Folk Technology, and opened to the public in 1967. At first it focused on peasant crafts and tools; from the 1970s, and again after 1990, homes and community buildings were added, such as the church, the school and the inn. Today it belongs to the ASTRA National Museum Complex, named after the Transylvanian cultural association that had opened Sibiu's first ethnographic museum in 1905.
What you can see
The museum covers ~96 hectares, with ~10 km of paths through woods and meadows and a lake in the middle. On the lakeshore stand the windmills from Dobruja and the fishermen's farmsteads from the Danube Delta, with a floating mill on the water. Along the forest paths you come across water mills with wooden wheels, houses with tall thatched or shingle roofs, workshops for working hemp or timber, and the wooden church from Bezded (Sălaj). Many houses have their interiors open, with period furniture, textiles and pottery.
Next to the main gate, the Multicultural Museum Pavilion hosts temporary exhibitions. The museum also has two places serving traditional food, Cârciuma din Bătrâni and Hanul din Tulgheș.
Information verified on 22 September 2026.
- The Dobruja windmills on the lakeshore, reflected in the water.
- The floating mill on the lake and the fishermen's farmsteads from the Danube Delta.
- The water mills with wooden wheels on the stream in the forest.
- The wooden church from Bezded, brought from Sălaj.
- The interiors of the peasant houses, with their original furniture, textiles and pottery.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the museum is on the southern edge of Sibiu, on the road to Rășinari, ~8 km (~15 minutes) from Piața Mare. Brașov is ~145 km away (~2 hours 40 minutes), Cluj-Napoca ~185 km (~2 hours 30 minutes, on the A10 and A1) and Bucharest ~270 km (~4 hours, through the Olt Valley).
Public transport: Tursib bus 13 leaves from outside Sibiu railway station, runs through Piața Unirii and terminates at the Muzeul Astra stop, by the main gate (~20 minutes).
- Where to park
Park in the museum car park or in the spaces along the road opposite the entrance, subject to availability. The car park next to gate 1 is free. Cars are not allowed inside the museum.
- Fees & discounts
Adults 50 lei, seniors 20 lei, pupils and students 10 lei. Groups of at least 20 people get reduced tickets (adults 40 lei). Adults with mild and moderate disabilities pay 10 lei. Annual passes, valid at all ASTRA Museum sites, cost 150 lei (adult), 300 lei (family: 2 adults and 3 children) and 40 lei (pupils and students). Guided tours on request, booked in advance: 150 lei per hour in Romanian and 250 lei per hour in another language, plus tickets. Special events have separate tickets. Tickets are sold at the machines at the entrances (card payment recommended) or online.
- Rules
Dogs are allowed in the open-air museum only on a short lead and accompanied by an adult, but not inside the houses (except guide dogs). Bicycles are allowed for adults only in the first and last two hours of opening, and may be banned on busy days; children under 12 may ride bicycles or (non-electric) scooters only under supervision. Photography and filming for personal use are allowed, without flash indoors; professional cameras and drones require separate fees. Open fires are forbidden and smoking is allowed only in signposted areas. Food and drink are to be consumed in the designated areas.
- Facilities
restaurants in the museum (Cârciuma din Bătrâni, Hanul din Tulgheș) · ticket machines at the entrances · guided tours on request · ASTRA Museum App · pushchairs allowed
Frequently asked questions about ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilisation
How much is a ticket to ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilisation?
A ticket to ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilisation costs 50 lei (seniors 20 lei, pupils 10 lei). More under “Fees & discounts”
What are the opening hours of ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilisation?
Opening hours at ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilisation: daily 08:00 – 18:00. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilisation take?
A visit to ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilisation takes about 2½ – 3 hours (~10 km of paths).
Can you visit ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilisation with kids?
Yes, ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilisation is suitable for children (a lot of walking).
Where can I park at ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilisation?
There is free parking at ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilisation (next to gate 1). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilisation?
ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilisation is located at Strada Pădurea Dumbrava 16, gate 1, Sibiu, Sibiu County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilisation?
The best season for ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilisation: April – October (come in the morning).
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