Sibiu - Definition

Map of Romania showing Sibiu

Historical Center Skyline, 2004

Piaţa Mare, 2002

Sibiu (Hungarian: Nagyszeben, German: Hermannstadt) is a city in Transylvania, Romania with a population of 170,000. It is the capital of Sibiu county.

History

The city is built near the Roman city of Caedonia, that was probably deserted at the beginning of the Dark ages, after the Roman withdrawal. The city was founded in 1190 by German colonists (saşi) settled in this area. In the 14th century, it was already an important trade center and in 1376 a document mentions that the craftmen where divided in 19 guilds. It became the most important German city among the Seven Burgs of Transylvania and it was home of the Academia Saxorum - a German Parliament of Transylvania. In the 17th century, it was the Easternmost city considered to be part of Western civilization (actually the Easternmost city that was included in the European postal routes).

Population

As of approximately 2002, Sibiu's has a population of about 170,000. The ethnic breakdown is as follows:

• Romanians 95%
• Hungarians 2%
• Germans 1,6%
• other 1,4%

Most of the population is of the Romanian Orthodox religion. Protestants and Roman Catholics represent 4% of the population.

• 25% of the population is over 50 years old
• 18% of the population has graduated from some form of university

Tourism

Tursib is the city's transport system. Sibiu/Hermanstadt will be the European cultural capital in 2007 - [1] (http://www.sibiu2007.ro)

Famous natives

• Hermann Oberth
• Sabina Cojocar
• Alina Ciorogariu - miss Tourism World 2003

External Links

• Sibiu Online - Official Site (http://www.sibiu.ro) with information about tourism, history, pictures and more. In Romanian, English and German language.
• Samuel von Brukenthal Foundation (http://www.brukenthal.org/en); about the summer residence of the Baron Samuel von Brukenthal (1721-1803) in Sibiu
• Sibiu European Cultural Capital 2007 - Official Site (http://www.sibiu2007.ro)