The Evangelical Cathedral, dedicated to St. Mary, has been the spiritual centre of Sibiu's Saxon community for centuries. Frommer's notes that work began around 1320 and continued for about two hundred years, giving it the soaring, late Gothic profile you see today, and the tower, completed in 1494, reaches about 73 metres. Inside, the nave is spacious and plain, with a large crucifixion fresco in the choir dating from 1445, stone epitaphs along the walls and, at the back, an organ with about six thousand pipes that is the largest in the country. The cathedral is still a working church, and the Saxon story, from medieval settlement to centuries as the see of Transylvanian Lutherans, is told in its memorials. The cathedral stands just off the Large Square, so it is easy to include on any walk of the old town.
The interior rewards unhurried looking. The choir holds the large Crucifixion fresco painted in the mid-fifteenth century, with Hungarian royal figures below it, and elsewhere you will find carved tombstones and epitaphs, including one for Prince Mihnea the Bad, the son of Vlad the Impaler, who was killed on the church square in 1510.
The long nave leads toward the organ at the back, and if a concert is advertised during your stay, it is one of the best ways to hear it. The church is Gothic outside and calm, light and simple inside, which is typical of Lutheran Transylvania.
The tower is the main extra. Visitors can climb a steep staircase of roughly 190 steps for a view over the red-tiled roofs, the Large Square and, on a clear day, the line of the Carpathians. The ascent is narrow, so go on a day with good weather, and do not expect it to suit those with limited mobility or a fear of heights.
Tower and interior arrangements, hours and fees vary with the season and with services, so check on the day. The church asks for respectful dress and quiet, and photography rules are posted at the entrance.
The link goes to a heritage page on the Saxon fortified churches that covers the cathedral and its tower. Allow about an hour for the interior and half an hour more for the tower. The cathedral is a short walk from the Large Square, the Small Square and Brukenthal Palace, so combine them. It is also close to the old city walls and the Stairs Passage that drops to the lower town, which makes a pleasant route after your visit.
What to expect
The experience
A self-paced visit to the Gothic interior, with an optional climb of the tower for views over the old town.
Best time
A clear morning for the tower view, or a weekday when fewer groups are inside.
How long
About an hour inside, plus half an hour for the tower.
Tips
Dress respectfully, check the day's hours for the church and tower, and wear shoes with grip for the steep staircase.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Architecture and history fans, and anyone who wants a high viewpoint over the old town.
- Families
- Older children enjoy the tower, but the staircase is steep and narrow.
- Couples
- Catch an organ concert if one is scheduled, then walk the squares at dusk.
- Pair with
- The Large Square, Brukenthal Palace and the Stairs Passage to the lower town.
- Time needed
- One to one and a half hours.
Good questions
How tall is the cathedral tower?+
Sources give about 73 metres including the spire, and it was completed in 1494. It is among the tallest medieval structures in Romania.
Can I climb the tower?+
Yes, when it is open, by a steep staircase of roughly 190 steps. Check opening times and fees on the day, since they vary with season and services.
What is the organ like?+
The cathedral organ has about six thousand pipes and is described as the largest in Romania. Concerts are held at times, so check the schedule if you want to hear it.
Is it a working church?+
Yes, it remains an active Lutheran church, so dress respectfully and keep quiet during services.
How do I find it?+
It stands just off the Large Square in the old town, a couple of minutes on foot from the main sights.
