The Cariatid House, one of the emblems of Baroque architecture in Sibiu.

Casa cu Cariatide: A Gem in Sibiu

Surely, those of you who have passed through the center of Sibiu at least once have noticed a beautiful house that has two statues at its entrance representing two women supporting the building's balcony. This is the Casa cu Cariatide, one of the most beautiful buildings in Sibiu.

Architectural Significance

Built between 1786 and 1787, after the death of Count Gergely Bethlen, the house resembles the architecture of the Brukenthal Palace in the Great Square, with certain architectural motifs also found at the house on Mitropoliei Street. For this reason, the house was also referred to in the past as the "Little Palace."

Historical Background

Few know that the widow of Count Bethlen constructed the house on the site of an old building that belonged to the silversmith Sebastian Hann, one of the most renowned silversmiths of the 17th century. She redesigned the entire space, giving it the Baroque air we see today, and to add a distinctive touch, she requested the sculpting of two caryatids in place of traditional supporting columns.

Folklore and Popular Culture

The fact that this building was erected by the widow of Count Bethlen, along with its association with the operetta The Merry Widow, has led to the building being referred to in popular folklore as the Widow's House. However, few remember this name, but the beauty of the house remains the same, regardless of what it is called.

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