Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church of Sibiu
About Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church of Sibiu
The Roman Catholic parish church of the Holy Trinity stands on Piața Mare (the Grand Square), next to the Brukenthal Palace, and was built by the Jesuits. After the Reformation turned the town Lutheran, Sibiu had no Catholic churches for some 150 years; the Jesuits, sent here in 1708, received neighbouring houses on the square in 1721, and the foundation stone was laid on 4 July 1726. The church was consecrated on 13 September 1733 by Bishop Gregor Sorger, and the bell tower followed in 1738. After the Jesuit order was dissolved in 1773 it remained the town's Catholic parish church, and the former college next door, finished in 1739, is now the parish house.
The Baroque exterior is sober, with its façade along the long side of the Grand Square, tall arched windows and a tower with two clock faces, one towards the Grand Square and one towards the Small Square (Piața Mică). A passage at the foot of the tower leads between the two squares, on the site of the old Schlosserloch. The interior is much richer: pink marble-like columns, galleries, side altars and a carved pulpit beneath painted vaults.
What you can see
Behind the high altar is the fresco of 1777 by Anton Steinwald, showing the Coronation of the Virgin Mary by the Holy Trinity. On the south side of the choir stands the funerary monument of Marshal Otto Ferdinand von Abensperg und Traun (1677–1748), made by the sculptor Anton Schuchbauer. The organ, with 24 stops, was built in 1860 by Carl Hesse of Vienna, and the walls carry stained-glass windows of 1901–1904 with saints and biblical scenes. The interior was painted in 1904 by a Munich painter and cleaned in 1977–1978.
In the courtyard between the church and the parish house stands the statue of St John Nepomuk, which was on the Grand Square until 1948, when it was taken down, and was restored in 1987.
Good to know
The church is in use: services are held in Romanian, Hungarian and German, and during them visiting is done discreetly. The Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului), attached to the church, has been closed for restoration since January 2026, and the work is expected to take about two years.
Information verified on 23 October 2026.
- The 1777 fresco behind the high altar, showing the Coronation of the Virgin by the Holy Trinity.
- The funerary monument of Marshal Traun, on the south side of the choir.
- The 1860 Carl Hesse organ, with 24 stops, in the rear gallery.
- The passage at the foot of the tower, linking the Grand Square and the Small Square.
- The statue of St John Nepomuk in the parish house courtyard.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Sibiu is on the A1 motorway; Cluj-Napoca is ~175 km away (~2 hours), Brașov ~145 km on the DN1 (~2 hours 30 minutes) and Bucharest ~275 km (~4 hours). The Grand Square is in the pedestrianised part of the historic centre, so the car stays in a nearby car park.
Public transport: Sibiu railway station is ~1.7 km away, about a 25-minute walk through the lower town, or a few stops on the Tursib buses to the centre. The church is on the Grand Square, between the Brukenthal Palace and the Council Tower.
- Where to park
Parking in the historic centre is paid, at the machines or in the app, and you cannot park on the Grand Square. The public car parks around the centre are a 5–10-minute walk away; in summer and at weekends they fill up quickly.
- Fees & discounts
Entry to the church is free; donations are accepted for its upkeep.
- Rules
This is a working church: keep quiet and dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered); services take priority over visits. Photography without flash is usually accepted outside services. Animals are not allowed.
- Facilities
services in Romanian, Hungarian and German · cafés and restaurants a few steps away on the Grand Square and the Small Square · good mobile signal
Frequently asked questions about Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church of Sibiu
- How much is a ticket to Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church of Sibiu?
- Admission to Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church of Sibiu is free (free entry, donations). Entry to the church is free; donations are accepted for its upkeep.
- How long does a visit to Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church of Sibiu take?
- A visit to Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church of Sibiu takes about 30 min (the church only).
- Can you visit Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church of Sibiu with kids?
- Yes, Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church of Sibiu is suitable for children (short, quiet visit).
- Where can I park at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church of Sibiu?
- There is paid parking at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church of Sibiu (in the historic centre). Parking in the historic centre is paid, at the machines or in the app, and you cannot park on the Grand Square. The public car parks around the centre are a 5–10-minute walk away; in summer and at weekends they fill up quickly.
- How do I get to Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church of Sibiu?
- Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church of Sibiu is located at Piața Mare 3, Sibiu, Sibiu County. By car: Sibiu is on the A1 motorway; Cluj-Napoca is ~175 km away (~2 hours), Brașov ~145 km on the DN1 (~2 hours 30 minutes) and Bucharest ~275 km (~4 hours). The Grand Square is in the pedestrianised part of the historic centre, so the car stays in a nearby car park. Public transport: Sibiu railway station is ~1.7 km away, about a 25-minute walk through the lower town, or a few stops on the Tursib buses to the centre. The church is on the Grand Square, between the Brukenthal Palace and the Council Tower.
- When is the best time to visit Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church of Sibiu?
- The best season for Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church of Sibiu: All year round (open all year).
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