Lutheran Cathedral of Saint Mary

 cathedral, place with historical importance, Gothic (architecture), building/structure currently being renovated/restored/reconstructed, interesting place, lutheran church/kirk, historic landmark, historical building, 16th century construction, 15th century construction, 14th century construction, tourist attraction

The Lutheran Cathedral of Saint Mary (German: Evangelische Stadtpfarrkirche in Hermannstadt, Romanian: Biserica Evanghelică din Sibiu) is the most famous Gothic-style church in Sibiu, Transylvania, Romania.
The Cathedral was built between 1322(1350-71?) and finished in 1520, with various stages of construction.
Its massive 73.34 m high steeple is a landmark of the city.
The Cathedral tower, with a height of 73.34 m, is the second highest medieval building in Romania. Basically, the building is the tallest Gothic style cathedral in the country. Due to a renovation at the beginning of the 19th century, between 1805 and 1831, the tower had a baroque roof-dome (an unfortunate aesthetic aspect), very similar to that of the Roman Catholic Church in the Large Square.
In 1494-99 the main tower (73.34m) is finished,a distinctive landmark of the city, a real 'Turis Civitatis'
It 1553 is documented the first clock in the main tower, manufactured in Aiud.
In December 1881 is installed the new clock in the main tower.
The Choir is placed in the balcony on the south side and includes a Baroque organ made ​​by a Slovakian craftsman in 1671 which replaced the first organ brought in Sibiu in 1585. In 1914 it was installed the great church organ, the largest organ in south-eastern Europe, and in 1997 was completely renovated.
Starting with 1496, for a period of 300 years, the Church served as a burial place for mayors, county administrative leaders or other personalities in Sibiu. In 1796 burials in the church are prohibited, but an exception was made in 1803, when baron Samuel von Brukenthal’s body will be laid for eternal sleep in the vault built near the pulpit. The tombstones that covered the graves were dismantled from the church nave in 1853 and incorporated in the walls of the church ferula, thus obtaining a gallery of 67 tombstones, unique in Romania.
patrimoniu.sibiu.ro/biserici_en/evanghelica/53

In recent years the cathedral has undergone a massive restoration process, the structure has been strengthened and since 2019 the exterior and interior are under renovation. The exterior now has walls with white plaster, aesthetic effect together with the stone elements. The restoration will be completed in 2021.