Sibiu Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral

Sibiu Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral – A Symbol of Transylvanian Orthodox Spirituality

Located at Mitropoliei Street No. 33, in the heart of Sibiu, the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral is dedicated to the "Holy Trinity" and represents one of the most important Orthodox places of worship in Transylvania. The idea of its construction belonged to Metropolitan Andrei Șaguna, who, in 1857, obtained the approval of Emperor Franz Joseph I for raising the necessary funds. The sovereign personally contributed 1,000 gold coins, but the actual construction of the building only began under the third metropolitan of Transylvania, after Șaguna’s death.

Architecture Inspired by the Great Byzantine Tradition

The cathedral’s design was conceived after the model of the famous Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, a creation of Emperor Justinian. The construction preserved four imperial icons from the old Greek church that once stood on this site, painted on wood, framed in silver, and adorned with precious stones. Consecrated in 1906, the cathedral impresses with its monumental proportions and interior decorations executed by three renowned painters. The first painted the dome and the icons on the iconostasis, the second worked on the altar and the lateral apses, while the third completed the iconographic ensemble. The total expenses for the construction and embellishment of the cathedral amounted, at the time, to one million crowns.

Restorations and Visitor Access

In 2007, the cathedral underwent an extensive restoration process, which included cleaning and repainting the frescoes, as well as creating a monumental stained-glass window in the choir’s arch. Today, the building is open to the public, offering visitors the opportunity to admire the harmony between Byzantine architecture and the decorative details specific to Orthodox religious art. The visiting schedule is displayed at the entrance, and access is granted while respecting the norms of conduct in places of worship. The Sibiu Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral remains not only a place of prayer but also a living testament to the spiritual and cultural identity of Sibiu.