Transylvania in Autumn: Sibiu

We're very fortunate to have just got back from a few days break in Romania, a sort of anniversary present to ourselves. We went with a couple of American friends who are trying to see as much of Europe while they're living in the UK, before going back to US.

This was my third trip to Romania, and every time I find something new to like about the place. This time, I was introduced to Fetească neagră wine, and got to see more of Romania's beautiful forests.

We flew from London to Sibiu, and spent a couple a days there before going on to Brașov.

We had absolutely gorgeous weather, with sunny blue skies really making the changing colours of the leaves stand out. We had a great time, and I thought I'd share a few photos with you. Maybe some of you will place your own trip :)

Sibiu Town Centre

The Council Tower

Below, you can see on the left is Sibiu City Hall, on the right is the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Trinity (Sfânta Treime). These buildings face onto Piața Mare, the main square. When we got there, there were some stalls selling traditional crafts, clothing, and foods like lángos (a Hungarian friend dough usually served with cheese sour cream), ciocolata de casa (homemade chocolate that has a crumbly texture), nuci umplute (walnut shaped cookies filled with chocolate cream), must (freshly pressed grape juice).
At Christmas, this is where the Christmas market is held, and various cultural events are held here throughout the year.

View from the apartment we Airbnb'd

Lutheran Cathedral of Saint Mary

The ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilization.

This outdoor museum was opened in 1963. It celebrates the history and traditions of the houses and daily lives of the people of Romania. The buildings are organised by professions, the miners area, the fishing area etc. The museum is looked after by paid staff, and pensioners look after the houses, tending the gardens, and giving information to visitors.

A 6 horizontal turbine water mill.

The friends we went with are both aeronautical engineers, and were very impressed with this construction.

Gold miners house. Fancy.

A troiță - a traditional Romania roadside crucifix. You can say a prayer on your way to and from work.

Inside this troiță, the walls are painted with religious images.

Another troiță.

A display of textile production machines.

Check out this swish pad. It belonged to a pottery maker.

In the picture below, you can see what looks like a very big chicken coup. It's actually a store for corn. The corn would be used as feed for pigs, chicken, and also could be taken to a miller and ground down into cornmeal/ polenta/ hominy to make mămăligă.

Grape presses!!!!!

Romania makes some wonderful wine, although of course, you'll usually get the best stuff from someone's home grown grapes. Fetească neagră is a Romanian - Moldovan grape variety that is one of the few that managed to survive the Great French Wine Blight of the mid-19th century. The blight is thought to have been caused by the aphid from North America.

The lake

This house is somewhat famous, as it is featured on the 10 Lei note.

Spot the difference.

We talked to one of the pensioners at the house, and he told us that the graphic artist who drew the house on the note had made the mistakes. Some people say the house was put back together wrongly after it had been brought to the museum. I think perhaps the artist wanted the house to look grander than it actually was?

Farmer's house from the Maramureș region, the gate is typical of the region.

Workmen and one of the pensioners surveying a roof being re-thatched.

The following day, we (my very brave and patient husband) then hired a car and drove to Brașov via Sighișoara. Another story for another time..

Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed it!