The Brukenthal National Museum occupies the grandest building on Piata Mare, a Baroque palace that served as the residence of Samuel von Brukenthal, Governor of Transylvania under Maria Theresa. The art collection it contains is one of the most important in Romania — Flemish masters, Dutch landscapes, Italian Renaissance panels, and a strong section of Central European painting from the 17th to 19th centuries.
The complex has expanded over the years to encompass several buildings: besides the main art gallery in the palace, there are collections of history, natural history, pharmacy, and decorative arts. The pharmacy museum is particularly striking, with its original 18th-century fittings intact. Budget at least two hours for the art gallery alone.