Sibiu (Hungarian Nagyszeben; German Hermannstadt), city in central Romania, and capital of Sibiu County. The principal industries of the city include the manufacture of linen and other textiles, alcoholic beverages, soap, candles, rope, leather, and boots. The city of Sibiu is an Orthodox archiepiscopal see and a Lutheran episcopal see and has a law college. Among the buildings of historical interest are a 14th-century Gothic church containing a museum and a library of more than 100,000 volumes. Sibiu is of Roman origin, having been founded as the colony of Cibinium. In the 12th century, German settlers from Nürnberg, called Saxons, formed a community in Transylvania and founded Sibiu as the center of the region. The city continues to have a significant population of German descent. The subsequent history of Sibiu is merged with that of Transylvania. After World War I (1914-1918), Sibiu was ceded to Romania as a result of the peace treaties. In 1940 Sibiu was included in the territory of Northern Transylvania ceded to Hungary by Romania. The region was restored to Romania after the close of World War II in 1945. Population (1997 estimate) 168,949.
