Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Local trains from Sibiu to Sebeş stop at Cristian (15 minutes), Sibiel (3 lei, 35 minutes),
Sălişte (3.20 lei. 45 minutes) and Miercurea Sibiului (5.50 lei, 1¼ hours).
SIBIEL & AROUND
If you only visit one Saxon village in this area ensure it's this one. Rural Sibiel reminds of
Little Red Riding Hood country, with the village almost swallowed by the neighbouring
forest, and in recent winters packs of wolves have been spotted. Bears too are regular vis-
itors to Sibiel's orchards, stocking up on fruit.
Wander past rubicund-faced pensioners to its milk-white, late-18th-century church and
gasp at its frescoed ceiling of gilded angels and icons. Then head to
Zosim Oancea Icons
Museum
( 0269-553 818; adult/student 5/3 lei, photos 10 lei; 8am-1.30pm &
2-8pm)
, one of Romania's largest icon collections, with some 700 icons collected by a
priest who spent 17 years in prison during the communist reign for his religious deeds (if
it's shut seek out curator Valerica).
Hiking trails line the hills to the east - follow the river upstream.
To reach Sibiel from Sibiu, catch the Transmixt bus (10 lei). From Sibiel, head 6km
north to Sălişte, another quaint village rich in local folklore. In Galeş, 2km west of Sălişte,
is a small
ethnographic and art museum
. It is at the southern end of the village, across
the bridge opposite a salami factory. A dirt track leads from Galeş to Poiana Sibiului,
famed for its fantastic coloured eggs, which are decorated with bright, geometric motifs.
Sleeping
GUESTHOUSE
Mioritica $
( 0740-175 287, 0269-552 640; coldeasv@yahoo.com; s/d/tr 80/100/120 lei;
)
Rustic paradise and traveller's oasis, Mioritica sits in a bee-humming garden with a
stream passing at its feet. Amid the vivid flowers are a shrine, intimate nooks for reading
and even a small communist museum set up by the likeable owner, Sorin Coldea. The
chalet-style buildings are enticing, housing a cosy breakfast room and nine rooms
wrapped in verandahs to take in the forest views. Tours to the nearby mountains - where
you may see bears - cost €25 per person. It's located towards the hills; follow the stream
from the village centre on a rough road signed 'Pensiunea Sibiel' for about 700m.
