In the footsteps of ancient craftsmen: The House of Apprentices in Sibiu

The House of the Journeymen in Sibiu

Less known but perhaps just as important as other tourist attractions in Sibiu, the House of the Journeymen should not be missing from your itinerary when you arrive in Sibiu. But perhaps before telling the story of the House of the Journeymen, we should explain who the journeymen actually are.

The Journey of the Journeymen

The story of the traveling journeymen begins in the 15th century across Europe, precisely when the organization of medieval crafts and the formation of guilds began. At the end of each apprenticeship stage, young unmarried men received a professional travel certificate, known in German as *Wanderschaft*, which granted them the right to travel in order to showcase the skills they had learned from their masters.

Obligations of the Journeymen

What are the obligations of the journeymen?

• Their journey lasts three years and one day, and during it, they are not allowed to come within 50 kilometers of home.
• They are not allowed to stay more than three months in the same place.
• They must always wear the traditional costume.
• They must always have a wooden meter in one pocket and a banknote or a coin in the other pocket that they are allowed to take from home but are required to bring back.
• They should only take off their hats at the table and in their rooms.

The Emergence of Guilds

The massive development of the cities of Sibiu and Brașov during the medieval era led to the emergence of the first guilds of apprentices. Thus, in Brașov, for example, the shoemakers' guild appeared in 1463, while in Sibiu, at the beginning of the 16th century, the guilds of blacksmiths and weavers were established.

With the dissolution of the guilds in Transylvania in the mid-19th century, apprentices began to disappear. Only in certain regions of Europe has this tradition been preserved. However, in 2002, after more than 200 years, they returned to Sibiu.

The House of Apprentices

In 2007, the first House of Apprentices was inaugurated in Sibiu, the first of its kind outside Germany, Switzerland, and France. Since then, during the summer, dozens of apprentices from all over Europe come to Sibiu to carry out various restoration works on the historic buildings in the Old Town.

Their attire is traditional, and you can recognize them by their:

• White shirt with a stiff collar
• Flared trousers
• Vest with eight buttons (one for each hour of work per day)
• Jacket with six buttons (for each day of the week), in the representative color of their craft's guild.

But above all, their traditional working methods will stand out.

Visiting the House of Apprentices

The House of Apprentices in Sibiu is easy to find, located near Huet Square. Moreover, at the entrance, you will encounter a large wooden post where, according to tradition, each apprentice must leave a personal memento upon departure; otherwise, it is said that they will have no luck on their journey.

Photo Credit

• badorgood.com
• photomagazine.com
• cartitaplimbareata.ro

According to current estimates, there are approximately 800 traveling calves across Europe, with the majority in Germany, where the most brotherhoods also exist.