“Priest Zosim Oancea” Glass Icon Museum
About “Priest Zosim Oancea” Glass Icon Museum
The “Priest Zosim Oancea” Glass Icon Museum is in the village of Sibiel, at the entrance to the village, between the Holy Trinity church and the cemetery. It was started by Father Zosim Oancea, who became parish priest of Sibiel in January 1964, after fifteen years of prison and forced labour. After restoring the village church, built in 1765, in 1965, he urged the villagers in 1969 to donate the glass icons kept in their homes; from them the first collection was formed, of 150–200 pieces. The museum presents itself as the largest exhibition of glass icons in Transylvania.
The first collection was kept in an old storehouse behind the church, rebuilt between 1970 and 1971. As the number of icons grew, with the help of international donations, among them those of the World Council of Churches in Geneva, a second building was raised between 1976 and 1983, today the main premises. Its rooms were renovated and reorganised in 2021, and the renewed museum was inaugurated on 29 August 2021. Father Oancea (1911–2005) is buried in the cemetery next to the museum.
What you can see
The collection has about 600 icons, grouped by painting centre in Transylvania: Nicula and northern Transylvania, the Mureș Valley, the Făgăraș area, Șcheii Brașovului, the Sebeș Valley (with Laz and Lancrăm) and Mărginimea Sibiului, plus a few from Bukovina and the Banat. Icons from Nicula are recognised by their small format and rope-like border, those from Șchei by their strong colours and large figures, those from the Sebeș Valley by their silver or gold leaf. Works by well-known painters are also on display: Savu Moga and Matei Țâmforea from the Făgăraș area, Sandu Popa from the Mureș Valley, Ion Morar from Mărginimea Sibiului. On the walls they hang alongside textiles, peasant furniture and old books.
Good to know
The museum has two buildings, a few metres apart: the new one holds most of the collection, while the old one, the first premises, holds additional sections. Next door is the Holy Trinity church, a historic monument, built from 1765 and painted in 1774–1775 by the muralists Stan and Iacob of Rășinari.
Information verified on 23 October 2026.
- The roughly 600 glass icons, grouped by painting centre: Nicula, the Mureș Valley, Făgăraș, Șchei, the Sebeș Valley, Mărginimea Sibiului.
- The icons with a rope-like border from Nicula, with silver leaf from the Sebeș Valley and with strong colours from Șcheii Brașovului.
- The works of the painters Savu Moga, Matei Țâmforea, Sandu Popa and Ion Morar.
- The new building of 1976–1983, with its rooms renovated in 2021, and the old building, the museum's first premises.
- The Holy Trinity church of 1765, with its frescoes of 1774–1775, a few steps from the museum.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Sibiel is ~20 km from Sibiu, in Mărginimea Sibiului, near Săliște. The museum is on Strada Bisericii, marked on maps as the DJ106E, at the entrance to the village, between the church and the cemetery; in the village it is worth following the signs to the museum.
- Where to park
Leave the car in the village, near the church and the museum, a few steps from the entrance.
- Fees & discounts
Adults 15 lei; children and students 5 lei; organised groups of more than 15 people 10 lei per person.
- Rules
Glass icons are fragile and hang in their frames on the walls: do not touch them and keep your distance from the display cases. The church and the neighbouring cemetery are places of worship, so dress and behave respectfully.
- Facilities
two exhibition buildings · no booking required
Frequently asked questions about “Priest Zosim Oancea” Glass Icon Museum
- How much is a ticket to “Priest Zosim Oancea” Glass Icon Museum?
- A ticket to “Priest Zosim Oancea” Glass Icon Museum costs 15 lei (children and students 5 lei). Adults 15 lei; children and students 5 lei; organised groups of more than 15 people 10 lei per person.
- What are the opening hours of “Priest Zosim Oancea” Glass Icon Museum?
- Opening hours at “Priest Zosim Oancea” Glass Icon Museum: daily 09:00 – 19:00. April–October: 9:00–13:30 and 14:00–19:00; November–March: 9:00–13:30 and 14:00–17:00. Break between 13:30 and 14:00. Open every day of the year, including public holidays; no booking needed.
- How long does a visit to “Priest Zosim Oancea” Glass Icon Museum take?
- A visit to “Priest Zosim Oancea” Glass Icon Museum takes about ½ – 1 hours (an hour for both buildings).
- Can you visit “Priest Zosim Oancea” Glass Icon Museum with kids?
- Yes, “Priest Zosim Oancea” Glass Icon Museum is suitable for children (reduced ticket for children).
- Where can I park at “Priest Zosim Oancea” Glass Icon Museum?
- There is free parking at “Priest Zosim Oancea” Glass Icon Museum (in the village, near the church). Leave the car in the village, near the church and the museum, a few steps from the entrance.
- How do I get to “Priest Zosim Oancea” Glass Icon Museum?
- “Priest Zosim Oancea” Glass Icon Museum is located at Strada Bisericii 329, Sibiel, Sibiu County. By car: Sibiel is ~20 km from Sibiu, in Mărginimea Sibiului, near Săliște. The museum is on Strada Bisericii, marked on maps as the DJ106E, at the entrance to the village, between the church and the cemetery; in the village it is worth following the signs to the museum.
- When is the best time to visit “Priest Zosim Oancea” Glass Icon Museum?
- The best season for “Priest Zosim Oancea” Glass Icon Museum: All year round (open all year).
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