The Bridge of Lies in Sibiu

Why is this Bridge Special?

The cast iron bridge, which is technically a pedestrian crossing, is called Podul Minciunilor in Romanian. The people of Sibiu know it better as the Bridge of Lies or Liars' Bridge.

As a backstory, the city of Sibiu and other towns in Transylvania, were Saxon German townships. These settlers were invited in the 12th century, by the then ruling Hungarian king who controlled the area, to settle there.

Sibiu was German-speaking until the unification of Romania after WWI, and the bridge was completed in 1860.

Because the bridge wasn't built on pillars, it was called the Liegenbrücke in German, which translated to lying bridge. To lie means lügen in German and due to the word similarities, people started to call it the lying bridge.

And then the legends connected to the bridge started to emerge….

Legends

The puzzling meaning of the name is explained by the legends that are connected to the bridge. You will hear 4 different legends retold by the locals in Sibiu.

Legend #1

Young couples would meet on the bridge. The men would swear eternal love and the girl would swear that she was a virgin.

Unfortunately, after the wedding night, some girls were found to be anything but virgins.

It is said that they were dragged and thrown over the railing of the bridge.

Legend #2

If you stand on the bridge, and you lie, the bridge will collapse. So, don't lie because the bridge will literally collapse under the weight of your lies.

Legend #3

Sibiu has a military school and the young cadets would promise the local girls the world on the bridge, which would often turn out to be a lie.

Legend #4

Merchants would trick buyers at local fairs, and once back home, the local buyers would find out that they were duped.

They would return to the market to catch hold of the cheating merchant and would throw them off the bridge.

Location

The Bridge of Lies is in Sibiu (formerly Hermannstadt) in Transylvania, Romania.

We almost missed the bridge because of a special International beach volleyball event in July.

The small cast iron arch bridge connects the converted St. Mary Evangelical Cathedral with the small square in Sibiu.

You cross the Piața Mică street that merges with the small square when you walk over the bridge of lies.

Sibiu has two squares, the small and the large square, which are separated by a former watch tower and a colorful row of houses.

This can add to the confusion because two main squares in Europe are rare and both are rather large. Most towns have one large square, and frequently you will find a church in the square.