Discover Grossau: Culture, Landscapes and Living Traditions

During your stay in holiday accommodation in Grossau, you can combine cultural discoveries, river views and landscape experiences.

Fortified Church in the Centre of Cristian

The fortified church stands in the centre of Cristian and thus defines the historic heart of the village. In the first half of the 16th century, a peasant fortress with two rings of fortifications and towers was built around the church. Climbing the bell tower offers a view of Cristian from a height of around 63 metres.

Village Museum and Sacred Architectural History

The village museum of Cristian is a historic monument featuring Transylvanian Saxon architecture. It opened on 10 July 1969. Its furnished rooms reflect the way of life and activities of the local population and make the everyday life of earlier generations imaginable through specific interiors. The Orthodox Buna Vestire Church in Cristian, dating from 1790, provides another distinctive feature. Together with the fortified church, it offers an insight into the different religious and historical influences that have shaped the village.

Architecture Spanning Several Eras

Casa Drotleff also broadens Cristian’s architectural character. The building features medieval elements, interpretations of Austrian Baroque and modern extensions. This very juxtaposition of different design phases makes the tour interesting: you encounter not just a single historical style, but an architectural development in which older and newer elements remain visible together.

River Views and Mountain Landscapes

Cristian lies in a hollow at the foot of the mountains. For a quieter part of the day, visitors can cross the Cibin via the Puntea lui Sepp footbridge; its location offers views of the river’s meanders. Cristian is also known as the “Stork Capital of Romania”. Alongside the cultural monuments, this nickname adds a distinctive natural accent without reducing the village to a single attraction.

Livestock Markets and Old Shepherds’ Paths

Two livestock markets held every year are part of the village’s lively character. On the first Sunday in May and the last Sunday in September, livestock breeders from the commune and from Mărginimea Sibiului meet to sell animals and products from their households. For active days, a section of the old shepherds’ paths has also been marked for tourists. The Mărăjdia Valley follows the old route taken by the inhabitants of Cristian into the Cindrel Mountains. This allows you to vary your plans between architectural history, regional market activity, river landscapes and mountain scenery.

When choosing your holiday accommodation in Grossau, you can therefore take your preferred focus for your stay into account: if you are primarily looking for historic buildings and insights into local life, the fortified church, village museum, Buna Vestire and Casa Drotleff offer different cultural points of interest. For days focused on the landscape, the Cibin, the hollow at the foot of the mountains and the old shepherds’ paths take centre stage.

Further Destinations for Travel Planning

Porumbacu De Jos, Boiţa, Vale, Mediaș, Orlat, Rusciori, Veştem and Miercurea Sibiului

For the higher-level travel overview: Sibiu.