Lutheran Cathedral

As far as Gothic structures go, Lutheran Cathedral is the star performer of Romania. Tucked away in an eye-catching plaza in Sibiu’s historic center, the cathedral is massive in size and sleek in appearance. Visitors to the town look for its distinctive 73-meter steeple in the skyline once they set foot in it. And, the graceful tower never fails to fascinate. Once the city’s principal burial and gathering site, the church features intriguing architectural elements. A visit is never complete without hearing about them. Take a walk in its spacious interior and notice the details that make Lutheran Cathedral a masterpiece.

After its construction ended in the 14th century, the cathedral became a burial site for Sibiu’s upper-class citizens. Today, the tombs of numerous mayors, earls, and aristocrats constitute the eeriest part of the church. Pay a visit to the burial gallery and find out about the gloomy stories surrounding the site. The most impressive is the poignant story of Mihnea, the son of Romania’s iconic Vlad the Impaler. Like any other Gothic church, Lutheran Cathedral stands out with its spectacular pipe organ and magnificent vaulted ceiling. Also worth admiring is the exquisite collection of 15th-century frescoes.

As seen from the outside, the church has a postcard appearance with tiered pointy roofs and a dazzling mustard color. Together, they lend it an old-world feel. Take a closer look at its grandiose steeple, and you will notice four turrets surrounding the main spire. In the days of old, these turrets were a sign of the church’s power to sentence wrongdoers to death. Luckily, the church has gone from intimidating to awe-inspiring with its unique Gothic architecture. And these days, it stands as a popular traveler pilgrimage in Sibiu’s most attractive neighborhood.