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Four museums of ethnology and civilization. Several laboratories for conservation and research. A large documentation center.
All united under the name of ASTRA, an extraordinary complex located in Sibiu, in the heart of Transylvania, today the most important open-air ethnographic museum in the whole country.
Defining it as a museum is at least an understatement, given the offer and, above all, the enormous size: an immense nature reserve in which life of the past is perfectly recreated, through historic houses, mills, and even old tools.
A real blast from the past, among lakes, kilometers of alleys and about 400 homes. A wonderful open-air museum where all you have to do is walk, admiring everything around you.
It was born in 1905 as a Museum of Traditional Popular Civilization, with the aim of creating a sort of refuge to preserve the past. Today, its authentic and genuine appearance has made it one of the reference points, in its sector, in all of Transylvania.
An absolutely unmissable place especially for children.
Photo ©, Nicubunu
The ASTRA Museum is located a few kilometers from the center of Sibiu, one of the most beautiful cities in all of Transylvania. One more reason to go and discover this wonderful and magical land.
PRACTICAL INFO
HOW TO GET
The ASTRA National Museum Complex is located along Strada Pădurea Dumbrava, approximately 6.5 kilometers southwest of the center of Sibiu.
You can reach the complex quite easily by bus. Line 13 connects the Museum with the railway station in just over 20 minutes. The station is perfectly reachable in a few minutes’ walk from the center.
WHAT TO SEE
The ASTRA Museum encompasses the following four museums:
- Museum of Traditional Popular Civilization.
- “Franz Binder” Museum of Universal Ethnography.
- Museum of Transylvanian Civilization.
- “Emil Sigerus” Museum of Saxon Ethnography and Folk Art.
Overall you will be able to admire the reproduction of houses in ancient villages. And, also, unique examples of mills.
Really suggestive homes, like that of the winemaker in Vladesti, with a high stone base, very similar to the one on the 10lei banknote. Or the house of the Priest of Stăneşti where it seems that he studied Avram Iancu, a national hero.
For the little ones there is an entire area (Etno Tehno Park) with creative workshops, games and interesting technical models.
Of course, there will be shows and dances in period clothing.
ASTRA MUSEUM TICKETS AND TIMETABLE
The ticket costs 35RON (about 7€) per adult, 15RON for over 65 and 9RON for students. It can be purchased directly online, on the official website.