Podul Minciunilor (Bridge of Lies), Sibiu

The Bridge of Lies, an iconic pedestrian bridge in the heart of Sibiu, is not only the first cast iron bridge in the country but also a vessel of intriguing legends that shroud its name. According to one popular tale, the bridge has an uncanny connection to truth-telling — it is believed to collapse if someone utters a falsehood while standing upon it. Another legend suggests that cunning merchants, attempting to deceive their clients, traversed the bridge, and those caught in deceit faced the consequence of being tossed off.

Further myths intertwine the bridge with tales of romantic rendezvous and broken promises. Young lovers, who pledged eternal love upon crossing the bridge, faced dire consequences if their vows turned out to be false. Another narrative weaves a story of freshwater mermaids residing in a lake beneath the bridge, luring their mortal lovers to meet them on the bridge before leaping back into the water when their clandestine meetings concluded.

Contrary to the imaginative myths, the name "Bridge of Lies" has a more straightforward origin. Initially called Liegenbrücke, German for "lying bridge" (lying as in "to lie down"), the name bears similarity to Lügenbrücke, meaning "bridge of lies" in German.

The bridge, supported by four arches crafted from cast iron adorned with Neo-Gothic motifs, proudly displays the coat of arms of Sibiu on its southernmost arch. The inscriptions "1859" and "Friedrichshütte" on the northernmost arch commemorate the year of creation and the foundry that contributed to the bridge's components. The intricate rails feature eight panels with circular shapes and Gothic decorations, adding to the bridge's architectural charm and mystique.