Evangelical Cathedral of Sibiu
About Evangelical Cathedral of Sibiu
The Evangelical parish church of St Mary stands on Piața Huet (Huet Square), on the site of a Romanesque basilica, and was gradually turned into a Gothic church between the 14th century and 1520. The choir already existed in 1371; after 1424 the nave was raised, from 1448 the ferula, a three-aisled annexe, was built on the west side, and after 1474 the south side became a hall church. The tower, finished in 1494, is 73 metres high, and the four turrets at the base of its spire showed that the town had the right to judge and sentence.
In 1545 the Saxons of all Transylvania converted from here to the Lutheran faith, and since 1867, when the bishop's seat moved from Biertan to Sibiu, the church has also been the cathedral of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Romania. For centuries the town's dignitaries and the leaders of the Saxon community were buried inside it, so it holds the richest ensemble of gravestones and epitaphs in Transylvania. The restoration came in two stages: the roof and vaults between 2008 and 2013, then the façades and interior between 2018 and 2021, and the church was reconsecrated in October 2021.
What you can see
On the north wall of the choir is the 48-square-metre Crucifixion painting signed by Johannes of Rosenau and dated 1445, to which further scenes of Christ were added in the 17th century. In the west gallery, behind the Baroque organ case of 1672 with eight carved musician figures, is the organ built by the Wilhelm Sauer firm in 1914: 78 stops on four manuals, the largest in Transylvania. Carved and gilded Baroque epitaphs hang on the walls of the aisles, and the bronze font dates from before the Reformation.
Dozens of gravestones are set into the walls of the ferula, among them that of Mihnea the Bad, the Prince of Wallachia killed in front of the church in 1510, together with a small organ of 1748. The climb up the tower, by stairs, is paid separately and ends with a view over the roofs of the upper town. Outside, between the church and the Brukenthal College, stands the bronze statue of Bishop Georg Daniel Teutsch.
Good to know
The church is used for worship: the Sunday service is at 10:00, there is a midday prayer with music on Fridays at 12:00, and on Saturdays at 19:00 an organ concert of about half an hour. Between April and October the church's guides welcome visitors and tell them the history of the building.
Information verified on 21 October 2026.
- The Crucifixion fresco painted by Johannes of Rosenau in 1445, on the north wall of the choir.
- The 1914 Sauer organ, with 78 stops, hidden behind the Baroque case of 1672 in the west gallery.
- The gravestones of the ferula, among them that of Mihnea the Bad, killed in front of the church in 1510.
- The view from the 73-metre tower over the roofs of the upper town.
- The Saturday evening organ concert, at 19:00.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Sibiu is on the A1 motorway; Cluj-Napoca is ~175 km away (~2 hours on the A10 and A1), Brașov ~145 km on the DN1 (~2 hours 30 minutes) and Bucharest ~275 km on the A1 or the DN7 through the Olt valley (~4 hours). Piața Huet is in the upper town, in the pedestrianised part of the historic centre, so the car stays in a nearby car park.
Public transport: Sibiu railway station is ~1.5 km away, about a 20-minute walk uphill through the lower town, or a few stops on the Tursib buses to the centre. From the Grand Square (Piața Mare) it is a two- or three-minute walk north-west to Piața Huet.
- Where to park
Parking in the historic centre is paid, at the machines, by SMS or in the app, and you cannot park on Piața Huet. The nearest public car parks, Cazarma 90 and the one on Piața Teatrului, are a 10-minute walk away; in summer and at weekends they fill up quickly.
- Fees & discounts
Visiting the church: 10 lei for adults, 5 lei for pupils, students and pensioners (with ID). The tower climb: also 10 lei, or 5 lei reduced. The combined church and tower ticket costs 15 lei for adults and 10 lei reduced. Tickets are sold at the entrance or online, on the parish's Booktes page; those bought online are valid for one month.
- Rules
This is a working church: keep quiet and dress modestly; services take priority over visits. Photography for private use is usually allowed, without flash during services and concerts. The tower is climbed by stairs, so it is not suitable for pushchairs or for people with walking difficulties. Animals are not allowed.
- Facilities
church guides between April and October · online tickets · weekly organ concerts · farmers' market on Fridays on Piața Huet · cafés and restaurants a few steps away on the Small Square · good mobile signal
Frequently asked questions about Evangelical Cathedral of Sibiu
- How much is a ticket to Evangelical Cathedral of Sibiu?
- A ticket to Evangelical Cathedral of Sibiu costs 10 lei (tower separate, 10 lei). Visiting the church: 10 lei for adults, 5 lei for pupils, students and pensioners (with ID). The tower climb: also 10 lei, or 5 lei reduced. The combined church and tower ticket costs 15 lei for adults and 10 lei reduced. Tickets are sold at the entrance or online, on the parish's Booktes page; those bought online are valid for one month.
- How long does a visit to Evangelical Cathedral of Sibiu take?
- A visit to Evangelical Cathedral of Sibiu takes about ½ – 1 hours (with the tower climb).
- Can you visit Evangelical Cathedral of Sibiu with kids?
- Yes, Evangelical Cathedral of Sibiu is suitable for children (many stairs in the tower).
- Where can I park at Evangelical Cathedral of Sibiu?
- There is paid parking at Evangelical Cathedral of Sibiu (around the historic centre). Parking in the historic centre is paid, at the machines, by SMS or in the app, and you cannot park on Piața Huet. The nearest public car parks, Cazarma 90 and the one on Piața Teatrului, are a 10-minute walk away; in summer and at weekends they fill up quickly.
- How do I get to Evangelical Cathedral of Sibiu?
- Evangelical Cathedral of Sibiu is located at Piața Huet 1, Sibiu, Sibiu County. By car: Sibiu is on the A1 motorway; Cluj-Napoca is ~175 km away (~2 hours on the A10 and A1), Brașov ~145 km on the DN1 (~2 hours 30 minutes) and Bucharest ~275 km on the A1 or the DN7 through the Olt valley (~4 hours). Piața Huet is in the upper town, in the pedestrianised part of the historic centre, so the car stays in a nearby car park. Public transport: Sibiu railway station is ~1.5 km away, about a 20-minute walk uphill through the lower town, or a few stops on the Tursib buses to the centre. From the Grand Square (Piața Mare) it is a two- or three-minute walk north-west to Piața Huet.
- When is the best time to visit Evangelical Cathedral of Sibiu?
- The best season for Evangelical Cathedral of Sibiu: All year round (guides April–October).
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