Lutsch House - Democratic Forum of Germans in Romania

 place with historical importance, Medieval / Middle Ages, political party, listed building / architectural heritage, 1830s construction, historical building, 15th century construction

The building - changed radically in 1830 - is one of the most important houses in the old town.
Prior to 1424, the offices of the prepositure were present in the nowadays building and after this date, the building found at this address hosted high officials visiting Sibiu.
A chapel was found in the courtyard (The Chapel of Saint Ladislau).
Only parts of the foundation remained of the old building and chapel.
At the end of the 15th century the house was owned by the Altemberger family and subsequently, between 1537 and 1593, it was in the possession of the Haller family. It then belonged to Johann Lutsch.
In 1661 Georg Reussner becomes the owner, its decendants donating the building to the city in 1821. The radical transformations took place in 1830, the building receiving then its present day aspect.
At the middle of the 19th century Lem Heinrich Thierry’ book store (Kunst und Buchanlandung) opened here, which he inherited from Wilhelm v. Thierry. It was from this book store that János Bolyai ordered his mathematic manuals, Sibiu being at that time the only city from Transylvania where one might purchase such books.
In 1999 the building was completely rehabilitated by the Democratic Forum of Germans in Romania.

The old house (before 1830)
Franz Neuhauser Jr.’s painting (around 1790) presents a building with a tower hosting accommodations on four levels, two jutty building bodies, Renaissance style windows, Gothic fleurons and tiles on the roof.
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