Reformed Church of Sibiu
About Reformed Church of Sibiu
The Reformed Church of Sibiu (Hungarian: Nagyszebeni református templom) is the house of worship of the city's Hungarian Calvinist community, built in 1784–1786 in the Upper Town, a short walk from the Grand Square (Piața Mare) and the Metropolitan Cathedral. In 1783 the community received permission to build a church inside the fortified town, and in 1784 it bought the plot, where the Filtsch and Habermann houses stood and were pulled down for the work. The building was led by the master builder Samuel Krempels and the carpenter Johannes Schneider, and the church was inaugurated on 26 November 1786. Among its pastors was the scholar Ferenc Benkő (1745–1816), known for his work in mineralogy.
The building is Baroque and sober. The narrow west façade has four pilasters with Doric capitals, an entablature with a frieze of metopes and triglyphs and a triangular pediment, above which rises the slender square bell tower, with clocks on its faces and a pyramidal roof. The portal has a stone frame and a panel with a Latin inscription of 1786, which mentions Emperor Joseph II.
What you can see
The interior is a hall with an apse, covered by a semicircular barrel vault resting on double arches, with the side walls marked by paired pilasters. Towards the altar stands the canopied pulpit of 1790, decorated with gilded motifs and garlands of roses. In the west, the organ rests on a gallery with two massive pillars; the present one dates from 1858 and replaced the original of 1786. Next door, at Strada Mitropoliei 11, is the parish house, a building with origins in the 15th century, rebuilt in 1784–1786, with a passage linking Strada Mitropoliei to Strada Xenopol.
Good to know
The church belongs to the Nagyszeben Reformed parish and is in use, so visiting the interior takes account of services.
- The bell tower with clocks and a pyramidal roof, above the west façade.
- The stone portal with the Latin inscription of 1786.
- The canopied pulpit of 1790, with gilded motifs and garlands of roses.
- The organ of 1858, on the gallery resting on two massive pillars.
- The parish house next door, with the passage towards Strada Xenopol.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the church is on Strada Mitropoliei, in the Upper Town, ~200 m from the Grand Square (Piața Mare), in the historic centre of Sibiu. Alba Iulia is ~80 km away (~1 hour 20 minutes), Mediaș ~55 km (~1 hour), Brașov ~140 km (~2 hours 30 minutes), Cluj-Napoca ~175 km (~2 hours 30 minutes) and Bucharest ~265 km (~4 hours). Traffic is restricted in the historic centre, so the car usually stays in a nearby car park.
Public transport: from Sibiu railway station it is ~1.1 km, about a 15-minute walk, or a few stops on the Tursib buses to the centre. Sibiu International Airport, ~5.5 km away, is about 10 minutes by car. The church is close to the Metropolitan Cathedral.
- Where to park
The church has no car park of its own. The historic centre of Sibiu has paid parking, on the street or in the car parks around it, a few minutes' walk away.
- 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.
- Facilities
services in Hungarian
Frequently asked questions about Reformed Church of Sibiu
How long does a visit to Reformed Church of Sibiu take?
A visit to Reformed Church of Sibiu takes about 20 min (the interior and the façade).
Can you visit Reformed Church of Sibiu with kids?
Yes, Reformed Church of Sibiu is suitable for children (short, quiet visit).
Where can I park at Reformed Church of Sibiu?
There is paid parking at Reformed Church of Sibiu (in the historic centre). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Reformed Church of Sibiu?
Reformed Church of Sibiu is located at Strada Mitropoliei 9, Sibiu, Sibiu County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Reformed Church of Sibiu?
The best season for Reformed Church of Sibiu: All year round (visits by arrangement).
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