House with Atlanti (Casa cu Atlanți), Timisoara

The House with Atlantes (Casa cu Atlanti), also known as the Macri House, is one of Timișoara’s most recognizable monuments, thanks to its imposing facade adorned with twelve giant sculpted figures. Built between 1812 and 1816 for the wealthy merchant Toma Naum Macri, an Aromanian native of the city, the building originally served as a rental residence with around 40 spacious rooms, reflecting the neoclassical style popular at the time. Its location in Liberty Square was unusual for a private house, as the square was primarily reserved for military administration buildings, giving it a distinguished status in the city’s urban landscape.

The building passed into the hands of Macri’s daughter, Persida, who left a lasting legacy by establishing the Macri-Stoicovici Foundation. Founded officially in 1860, the institution aimed to assist those in need and provide scholarships for Serbian students, highlighting the family’s enduring role in the city’s cultural and social life. A commemorative marble plaque under the gateway still recalls Persida’s name and generosity. Later, the house also hosted the City Savings House, adding another layer to its civic importance.

Over time, the building’s ownership became contested, especially during the 20th century. Following its nationalization under the communist regime in 1968, the house was entangled in a series of legal disputes that stretched into the 21st century. Eventually, the company Indus acquired ownership, and between 2018 and 2019, the property underwent careful renovations that restored its grandeur.

Architecturally, the House with Atlantes is a striking blend of Neoclassical and Baroque details. The colossal eight-meter-high atlantes, added in the early 20th century by Hungarian architect Lipót Baumhorn, lend the facade a mythological presence. The stone entrance portal, flanked by Ionic columns and topped with a balcony, is decorated with inverted cannon barrels-local lore claims they were captured Turkish cannons from the 1716 Habsburg siege. Today, the house stands not only as a symbol of wealth and philanthropy but also as a layered testimony to Timișoara’s complex cultural history.