The Lutheran Cathedral of Saint Mary (Evangelische Stadtpfarrkirche, in German) is the most famous Gothic-style church in Sibiu. It was built in the 14th century (1520) as a Roman Catholic parish church, on the location of another 12th century Romanesque church (1371). Then, in the 16th century, it became a Lutheran parish, as Johannes Honter converted the Transylvanian Saxons (Germans) to Protestantism. It served as a burial place for the personalities and the noblemen of the area, including Samuel von Brukenthal.

Inside there are also Baroque elements, the orgue for instance. The entrance is not free, but you get a passionate guide who will tell you about the history and also the symbolism of the church. And indeed, the interior is full of symbolism…

This is the view inside. On the left side there are tales in upper bas-relief, including a fascinating depiction of the cycle of life. The arcades are Gothic and you can see how they are characteristically split in the middle, in their highest point.

One interesting element can be seen if you climb upstairs…

It’s a gravestone put on display on a wall. The actual tombs are down below, underneath the ground floor of the church, but this particular stone is special…

It is the tombstone of Mihnea cel Rău (Mihnea the Mean), the son of Vlad III Dracula (Vlad Țepeș), that “Dracula” so often quoted everywhere. Mihnea was Voivode of Wallachia for a couple of months (April 1508 – October 1509), succeeding his father. He was murdered (by stabbing) in front of this cathedral and then buried inside it. This fact bears witness to the turbulence of the ancient times…