Ștefan Câlția Transforms Old Ursuline School in Sibiu into Gateway to Imaginary Transylvania

In the heart of Sibiu, within the weathered walls of a former Ursuline school, a magical Transylvanian micro-universe awaits visitors. Ștefan Câlția's "Transilvania | Extravaganza" is not just his largest exhibition but a portal to the unseen and unknown world of the Făgăraș region.

The exhibition features Câlția's signature elements, including blue houses and flying fish, set against the backdrop of a building steeped in history. Originally a Dominican monastery from the 15th century, the site later transitioned to Lutheran use before being re-established for Catholics in 1728 with the arrival of eight Ursuline nuns from Bratislava. They remodeled the church and monastery in Baroque style and, with imperial support, expanded a girls' school.

This institution, inaugurated in 1789 as the k. u. k. Normal School, continued the tradition of the Jesuit Catholic gymnasium. The Ursuline School became a renowned educational center in Sibiu, attracting daughters of wealthy families who desired a German-language education influenced by Jesuit methods. The building itself, with its cubic stone streets and watchful "eyes" on tiled roofs, contributes to Sibiu's welcoming atmosphere, a city that has historically offered safety and refuge regardless of ethnicity or religion.