Romania - The Historic Centre of Sibiu and its Ensemble of Squares

"Sibiu was colonized by Saxon settlers in the mid-12th century. They were invited to Transylvania by the Hungarian King Geza II (1141-1162), in order to defend and administer the kingdom's border territory. The earliest written records date from 1191. From 1366 onwards the city became known by the Saxon community as Hermannstadt. Although Sibiu is an ancient settlement dating from the Neolithic period, the overall form and shape of the city is medieval. Its evolving lines of strong fortifications, together with its characteristic street pattern, squares and building plots, developed and grew especially following the Tatar invasion of 124-1. Sibiu was the capital of the Saxon settlement in Transylvania. Strategically located, it was its most important fortified town. It was also its administrative, religious and economic centre. At the end of the 15th century the Saxon University was founded, with the leadership based in Sibiu, and from 1543 it became the focus for the introduction of the Lutheran Reformation into Transylvania and the shift away from Catholicism..." Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

Postcard 1
Multi-view of Sibiu, Romania. Thanks to VT friends at Euromeet 2013 in Sibiu, Romania.

Postcard 2

A multi-view of Sibiu. In German, it is called Hermannnstadt. Thanks to Anne of Finland.