Because they built their houses on the former austrian-hungarian border, in southern Transylvania, where hills and mountains meet, people whose ancient traditions are still alive are called “ MARGINENI”.

Going west from Sibiu, a necklace of Romanian villages that fully enjoyed the spirit of the Saxon civilization make what is called for centuries “ Marginimea” (The Edge). On the eastern side, it starts with the Boita village, on the right bank of Olt River, at the entrance of the Olt Strait. At the west Jina marks the other end, and the waters of Sebes River border the region.

Shepherds, who live in very close communities, build pine houses, with tall roofs, protected with spinters. Here, in peace and with firmness unchanged by the passing of time, they lived on with their crafts, including dressing leather and making wool, wich are a proof of their craftsmanship. People have been growing animals since forever. Shepherds took their sheep to the pastures, farther and farther, crossing the Danube and even to Constantinopol and the Adriatic, beyond the Tisza River, in Poland, and to the east, up to the Caucasus.

Amoung the best known villages in the Marginimea Sibiului are Saliste, Sibiel, Tilisca, Rasinari, Poiana Sibiului, Mierurea Sibiului, Poplaca, Orlat, Fantanele, Jina. Here is what some of the most venerable “ birth certificates” say: Rasinari – 1204, Talmaciu – 1318, Orlat – 1322, Saliste – 1354. In this world, philosophers and writers Emil Cioran, Constantin Noica and Octavian Goga were born.

AMONG CITADELS AND ICONS

The villages kept their fortified churches . The one in Cisnadioara, built in 1233, towers over the surrounding area from the so-called Citadel Hill. The legend says that in the village of Tilisca, the Dacian citadel was built by King Burebista himself. Nearby stand the well known Cristian citadel, built in 1945 , and the Calnic citadel, towerin over the village since 1250. The Salgo citadel and the fortified Saxon churhes are also worth walking in. The tourist has to stop at the Cetatea Scurta (Short Citadel) in Orlat, built in 1317, at the paper mill in the village, the oldest of its kind in South Eastern Europe – it was built in 1524 – or at the fortified church in Dobarca. Both locals, and tourists watch them with veneration.

In Sibiel, the glass-painted icons, unique around the world, hosts over 700 pieces, wonders created by the hand of men driven by beauty and the divine. Icons are the fruit of a tradition kept for more than two centuries in Marginime.

The oldest painted church is in Saliste, built in 1674. The wooden church in Poiana Sibiului dates back in 1771, and the one in Talmacel was erected in 1776. Furthermore, the village museum in Rasibari displays its heritage – ceramics, painted furniture, tools used by housekeepers, with their relaxing and pleasing simplicity. Folk costumes were also brought together in a beautiful collection, in Gales. Also, old church books and religious items were harbored at the ortodox church’s museum.

LIFE AS A CELEBRATION

Ancient rights, made by first Romanian rulers, are still present in the conscience of the people in Marginime. Deeply and subtly knowing the nature, in which they live in harmony for centuries, they practice the natural of the things, the natural of the world. Traditions witch deep roots were consolidated, with little influence from the modern world. The locals are still proudly wearing their holiday costumes, those wonderful and elegant clothes embroided in black and white.On Sundays and for holidays, in church or on the streets, doublets and waistcoats flourish in the sunlight, with their sil-wove decorations.

Marginime lacals’ most important traditions are rediscovered during the winter holidays. ”Young men’s carols” and the “ Young men band” are unique. Traditional dances such as “Calusarii”, “ Braul” and “Sarba” are also unique. The celebrations last for 12 days, from Christmas Eve until Saint John, on January 7. The carols, one of the most ancient Romanian traditions, start with children’s songs in Marginime and later are sung by the young men bands, who embody the Bible’s wise men.

The fourth day of Christmas is marked by a large gathering: young people from Marginime and the neighboring counties – Alba, Brasov, Valcea – meet in Saliste for the Union dance.

Lasata Secului, the Orthodox equivalent of Mardi Gras, is marked by fires lit on hills close to the villages. On 23, locals celebrate “Sangeorz” (from Saint George), a tradition devoted to the regeneration of spring and life. “Sanzienele”, another ancient tradition, preserved unaltered by the modern times are celebrated on June 24. And, as we are in the shepherds empire, July 20 is the day when lambs are sheared, while August 1 is bears’s day, Mavcovei, a day of fasting. For weddings, the gates of the bride and groom’s houses are decorated, and when the time comes, the road for wedding attendants is closed.

The groom and the best man, togheter with a shinning group of goyful young men, are allowed to go to ask for the bride.

At the other and of life, when one of the locals dies, the bells ring for him or her in the village of birth…