Holy Cross Chapel of Sibiu
About Holy Cross Chapel of Sibiu
The Roman Catholic Holy Cross Chapel, known in the town as the "Silver Bell" (Clopoțelul de Argint), stands on Piața 1 Decembrie 1918, next to the railway station. The small yellow-and-grey building with its bell turret was raised in 1755 to shelter a monumental stone crucifix of 1417, the work of the Austrian master Peter Lantregen.
The crucifix originally stood in the church of a Dominican monastery outside the town walls, built in the 13th century. After the old church was burned and demolished, the cross lay fallen under the rubble until 1683, when the town council had it raised again. In 1755 the Transylvanian councillor Martin Wankel von Seeberg ordered a chapel to be walled up around it, in the form that can still be seen today. The chapel has been a listed monument since 1954, and for more than 50 years it was looked after by the community of Poles who had taken refuge in Sibiu from Bessarabia and Bukovina.
What you can see
The main piece is the sculptural group inside: the crucified Christ, with the Virgin Mary and the Apostle John at the foot of the cross. The cross is 7.3 metres tall and was carved from a single block of stone; at its ends it bears the symbols of the four evangelists, and on its sides Latin inscriptions survive with the year 1417 and the master's name. The exterior is plain, with the entrance pediment decorated with a sun-shaped relief and a small tower with an onion-shaped roof above the red tiles.
Good to know
The chapel is a working Roman Catholic place of worship, looked after by the Holy Trinity parish on the Grand Square (Piața Mare).
- The Gothic crucifix of 1417, 7.3 metres tall, carved from a single block of stone.
- The Virgin Mary and the Apostle John at the foot of the cross.
- The Latin inscriptions on the sides, with the year 1417 and the name of the master Peter Lantregen.
- The entrance pediment with its sun-shaped relief, and the bell tower.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Sibiu is on the A1 motorway; Cluj-Napoca is ~182 km away (~2 hours 15 minutes), Brașov ~144 km (~2 hours 35 minutes) and Bucharest ~267 km (~4 hours). The chapel is on the eastern edge of the centre, ~850 m from the Grand Square.
Public transport: the chapel is ~100 m from Sibiu railway station, on Piața 1 Decembrie 1918, so it is easy to reach by train. From the Grand Square it is ~850 m, about an 11-minute walk.
- Where to park
The chapel has no car park of its own. Around the station and in the centre of Sibiu parking is usually paid, at the machines or in the app.
- Rules
This is a working place of worship: keep quiet and dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered); services take priority over visits.
Frequently asked questions about Holy Cross Chapel of Sibiu
How long does a visit to Holy Cross Chapel of Sibiu take?
A visit to Holy Cross Chapel of Sibiu takes about 15 min (the chapel is small).
Can you visit Holy Cross Chapel of Sibiu with kids?
Yes, Holy Cross Chapel of Sibiu is suitable for children (short, quiet visit).
Where can I park at Holy Cross Chapel of Sibiu?
There is paid parking at Holy Cross Chapel of Sibiu (near the station). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Holy Cross Chapel of Sibiu?
Holy Cross Chapel of Sibiu is located at Piața 1 Decembrie 1918 nr. 2, Sibiu, Sibiu County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Holy Cross Chapel of Sibiu?
The best season for Holy Cross Chapel of Sibiu: All year round (all year).
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