Eyes of Sibiu

The Eyes of Sibiu (German: Augen von Hermannstadt, Romanian: Ochii din Sibiu) are the iconic eyebrow dormers on the roofs of Sibiu's houses. Sibiu lies in Transylvania, a historical region of Romania. The eyes, which are a symbol and a tourist attraction of the city, have given Sibiu the nicknames of The City with Eyes,[1] The City Where Houses Don't Sleep[2] and the portmanteau Seebiu.[3] They vary in shape – most of them are trapezoid-shaped, others having rounded or elongated forms.

Haller House, Grand Square, Sibiu
Sibiu eyes on the Făgăraș Citadel, an example outside of Sibiu County

In Romanian, they are called Ochii Sibiului, while in German they are known as die Augen von Hermannstadt, Hermannstadt being the German name of Sibiu.

History

Although the eyes originate from as early as the 15th century,[4] most of them were built in the 19th century. They were most likely invented by a local of Sibiu, because they are widespread in the city and its surroundings. They are an element of Baroque architecture.[5] Some of them were even built as late as the 20th century, after Sibiu became part of the Kingdom of Romania.

Purpose

There are legends, according to which the eyes were built to frighten the people, making them believe they are being watched.[6] Their real purpose was to act as a ventilation system for the houses' attics.[7] Nowadays, the eyes have become one of Sibiu's most famous symbols, making them a tourist attraction.

In 2017, the eyes became a symbol of Romania's anti-corruption fight, being used by the organisation Vă vedem din Sibiu ("We see you from Sibiu").[8]

Spread

Apart from Sibiu itself, the eyes have also been built in the city's surroundings. Most of them are found in the Sibiu County. Some of them can also be found in other nearby places, like the cities of Brașov and Făgăraș, both located in the Brașov County.

Additionally, some examples which are probably unrelated can also be found in the city of Timișoara in western Romania. Similar eyebrow dormers can also be found on traditional rural Romanian houses or on cule in the historical region of Oltenia.

  • The Large Square (Romanian: Piața Mare) from Sibiu
    The Large Square (Romanian: Piața Mare) from Sibiu
  • A rounded version of the eyes, Grand Square of Sibiu
    A rounded version of the eyes, Grand Square of Sibiu
  • Hecht House (Casa Hecht), Grand Square of Sibiu
    Hecht House (Casa Hecht), Grand Square of Sibiu
  • Neo-Gothic Hermes House (Casa Hermes), Lesser Square of Sibiu
    Neo-Gothic Hermes House (Casa Hermes), Lesser Square of Sibiu
  • Neoclassical building with eyes (Sibiu)
    Neoclassical building with eyes (Sibiu)
  • Houses in the Lesser Square
    Houses in the Lesser Square
  • Lesser Square seen from the Council Tower (2005). The Lutheran cathedral is in the background.
    Lesser Square seen from the Council Tower (2005). The Lutheran cathedral is in the background.
  • Art Nouveau house on Strada Cetății, Sibiu, with rounded eyes
    Art Nouveau house on Strada Cetății, Sibiu, with rounded eyes
  • Eyes in Săliște. The building is Neo-Romanian, so it was most likely built in the 20th century, but has preserved the tradition of having eye-shaped roof windows.
    Eyes in Săliște. The building is Neo-Romanian, so it was most likely built in the 20th century, but has preserved the tradition of having eye-shaped roof windows.
  • Brukenthal Castle in Avrig (Sibiu County)
    Brukenthal Castle in Avrig (Sibiu County)
  • Cisnădie (Sibiu County)
    Cisnădie (Sibiu County)
  • Interior of the Făgăraș Citadel (Brașov County)
    Interior of the Făgăraș Citadel (Brașov County)
  • The old roof of the Thick Tower (Sibiu)
    The old roof of the Thick Tower (Sibiu)
  • Eye on the old Orthodox cathedral (Sibiu)
    Eye on the old Orthodox cathedral (Sibiu)
  • Traditional Romanian house from Vicovu de Jos at the Bukovina Village Museum in Suceava (also with eyes on its roof)
    Traditional Romanian house from Vicovu de Jos at the Bukovina Village Museum in Suceava (also with eyes on its roof)
  • Building with eyebrow dormers in Timișoara
    Building with eyebrow dormers in Timișoara
  • Culă from Oltenia with eyebrow dormers
    Culă from Oltenia with eyebrow dormers

See also

References
  1. "The Romania Eyes: Someone is Watching". 11 August 2014.
  2. "Sibiu, Romania. The City where the houses don't sleep". 29 April 2014.
  3. Gheorghiță, Lavinia (January 3, 2019). "Sibiu or Seebiu?". www.rodiscover.com. RoDiscover. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  4. "What to See in Sibiu, Romania - Where Houses Have Eyes".
  5. "FOTO Povestea celebrelor case cu "ochi" din Sibiu. Cum a apărut unul din cele mai faimoase simboluri ale oraşului".
  6. "7 unique and unusual things to do in Sibiu, Romania (+map)".
  7. "Sibiu or Seebiu? From Houses with Eyes to Political Protests – RoDiscover".
  8. "Protest va vedem sibiu".
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