Rusciori: Roman settlement, valley and Evangelical church

Culture and history

A Roman settlement lies in Rusciori, 2 km west of the village on a plateau on the slope of the Secașelor. The site is dated to the 2nd to 3rd century AD. Rusciori was first mentioned around the year 1380 under the name vila Rutenica. In 1494, the village was completely burned down during a Turkish invasion. The location descriptions clearly distinguish between the village itself and the site to the west: the plateau on the slope of the Secașelor lies outside the village center, while the Rusciorului Valley runs through this center.

Evangelical church

The Evangelical church of Rusciori is dated to the period from the 13th to the 16th century. Its altar dates from 1734, and one of the three bells was cast in 1742. As a historic monument, the church is listed under LMI code SB-II-m-B-12528. Several clearly dated details therefore coexist in this building: the church’s long period of construction, the 18th-century altar and a bell from the same era. The dates distinguish the individual components chronologically: the building is dated from the 13th to the 16th century, while the altar and bell are assigned to the 18th century.

Valley and cycle route

The Rusciorului Valley runs through the center of Rusciori and is also known as Valea Săpunului. The “Drumul Sării – Țara Secașelor” cycle route also passes through the village. Its route runs from Sibiu via Ocna Sibiului, Topârcea, Ludoș, Apoldu de Jos, Amnaș and Mag to Rusciori, and then back to Sibiu. The route can also be ridden in the opposite direction. Rusciori is therefore a named section of a circular route whose starting and ending point is Sibiu. Between Sibiu and Rusciori, the route passes through Ocna Sibiului, Topârcea, Ludoș, Apoldu de Jos, Amnaș and Mag before continuing to Rusciori and returning to Sibiu.

Planned connection

From December 1, 2025, metropolitan bus route 530 was intended to connect Rusciori with Marquardt via DJ143B and E81. The connection was then intended to continue as route 24 to Andrei Șaguna Street. Both details refer to the planned route and remain tied to this date. The planned connection therefore specifies both roads, DJ143B and E81, as well as the subsequent continuation to Andrei Șaguna Street.

Anyone wishing to stay overnight in Rusciori can search for a vacation rental and pursue accommodation independently of the other travel decisions.

Other destinations

Other destinations within the same overarching destination are Șura Mare, Grossau, Porumbacu De Jos, Hohe Rinne, Pojana, Gura Raului, Slimnic and Biertan.

Events

A Christmas carol concert for St. Nicholas Day was announced in Rusciori for December 6, 2024. The school choir of Rusciori and the Doruri Sibiene folklore ensemble took part in a Christmas tree celebration featuring a Christmas carol program. The concert and celebration connect the village’s events calendar with a specific date and two musical groups. The Christmas carol program is associated with two different formats: the announced St. Nicholas Day concert and the Christmas tree celebration featuring the two participating groups.

To the overarching travel overview: Hermannstadt.