Breakfast at Simpa

We didn't have breakfast at our hotel so we walked down the street and grabbed food at Simpa, a small market with a deli.

I got a sweet pita for 4 lei ($0.93) and a ham sandwich for 5 lei ($1.17). Both were surprisingly good.

2019 09 25

Crama Sibiul Vechi

We had dinner at Crama Sibiul Vechi.

It's located at Strada Alexandru Papiu-Ilarian 3 in Sibiu. The restaurant is located in a very atmospheric cave-like room in the basement.

Lamb Stew--17 lei ($3.97). This had very good flavor.

Grilled Perch--33 lei ($7.71) with side of Stewed Cabbage and Noodles--7 lei ($1.64).

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls--33 lei ($7.71)

Assorted Salad--5 lei ($1.17).

We also had 500 ml of wine for 16 lei ($3.74).

2019 09 24

Touring Sibiu

After returning to Sibiu, we toured the city.

One of the highlights of Sibiu is the Bridge of Lies, an iron bridge built in 1859. The name stems either from tricky merchants who met here or young lovers professing their undying love. The legend goes that the bridge creaks if a lie is told. It's a pretty sturdy bridge so not sure why it would creak.

St. Mary's Evangelical Church, Sibiu's Gothic Lutheran cathedral, was built in stages from the 1300s to 1520. 

The Holy Trinity Cathedral is the seat of the Romanian Orthodox Archbishop of Sibiu. It was built in the style of a Byzantine church, inspired by the Hagia Sophia.

Elaborate wooden door

with painted ceiling above.

The interior of the church is richly painted.

The chandelier can be lowered for cleaning.

Pedestrian zone in the center of the old town.

Sibiu is known for the eyes on its buildings, which were mostly built between the 15th and 19th centuries. 

Some of the eyes look more sinister than others.

2019 09 24

Saliste

Saliste is 9 minutes northwest of Sibiel.

Saliste is a small town with a population around 5,000.

It was a cute town with a small river flowing through it.

The Primaria or City Hall is beautifully decorated.

We found lunch at Restaurant Vatra Marginimii.

The restaurant is divided into several rooms. There were just a few locals having a beer when we arrived at noon.

There was no menu so we asked if they had what we typically ordered. Beef Ciorba--7.50 lei ($1.75). The meat was tough.

Ciorba de Burta (Tripe Sour Soup)--7.50 lei ($1.75). This was good.

Mici--5 lei ($1.17) with Fries--4 lei ($0.93). The mici was good but the fires needed to be crispier.

It was not a memorable lunch but at least it was cheap.

We found another Fornetti.

Their pastry was the cheapest we had found.

2019 09 24

Sibiel

Sibiel was our next stop, 25 minutes northwest of Rasinari.

This sign was Sibiel's Tourist Information. It listed all the pensiunea in town.

The Biserica Sfanta Treime (Holy Trinity Church) was built in 1765.

Behind the church is the Zosim Oancea Glass Icons Museum. This museum houses a large collection of painted religious icons on glass. Admission to the museum is 5 lei ($1.17).

Over 700 icons are on display.

Most of them are vividly painted.

There was also a case with painted eggs.

Unless you're really into religious art, this is not worth a trip to Sibiel just to see.

2019 09 24

Rasinari

Rasinari is 20 minutes west of Cisnadie. It's even smaller than Cisnadie with a population of 5300.

The bus stop in the center of town.

Across the tiny river is the Ethnographic Museum, which was closed when we visited.

Rasinari is a quaint village but there isn't much for tourists.

The Biserica Sfanta Treime is supposed to have colorful frescoes but we didn't stop to see it. I was so disappointed that the Lonely Planet guidebook made no mention of this and I only learned about the frescoes after returning home and doing research.

2019 09 24

Cisnadie

The next day, we visited the villages surrounding Sibiu. Our first stop was Cisnadie, 12 minutes south of Sibiu.

Cisnadie is known for it's 15th century fortified church.

Unfortunately, the church was undergoing renovations and is closed until 2021.

The town of 14,000 has a one-block pedestrian zone 

We found Fornetti, a bakery we first encountered when we were in Croatia. The international chain, based in Hungary, sells frozen and pre baked products.

The baked golds are sold by weight. 

We also found houses with eyes that are characteristic of houses in Sibiu.

Statue of Mihai Viteazul in the center of town. Michael the Brave was a Wallachian Prince.

2019 09 24

Cibinfest in Sibiu

It was late September and we happened upon an Octoberfest celebration in Sibiu.

Sibiu was founded on the former Roman village of Cibinium, hence the origin of Cibinfest. the annual harvest festival in Sibiu. A large tent is erected in Piata Mare in the center of town for the celebration.

Outside the tent, sausages are grilled.

Inside, vendors have warming trays laden with food.

This was Goulash Soup with Bread for 21 lei ($4.91).

Fried fish sold by weight. 35.60 lei ($8.32).

Sausage with Mustard also sold by weight. 31.88 lei ($7.45).

Take your food and find a table inside the large tent.

There was even live entertainment.

Outside, you'll find more stalls, mainly selling crafts. It reminded me of the Christmas Markets in Germany.

2019 09 23