Prince Eugene House

A less spectacular street corner in the historic city centre is reminiscent of a special occasion that marked a turning point in Timisoara’s history. A building on the corner of Eugeniu de Savoia and Marasesti Street marks the spot where Prince Eugene of Savoy entered through the Forforos Gate on October 18, 1716, his birthday, ending more than 160 years of Turkish rule. This marked the beginning of Timisoara’s integration into the sphere of influence of the Habsburgs and the re-orientation of the city to Central Europe.

It was named Prince Eugene Gate, in memory of the great general and conqueror, and was preserved by the Habsburgs even after the redesign of Timisoara with new walls and bastions. Even after a new building replaced the old fortress, after it had been demolished, it still marks the spot where the legendary conqueror first entered the city.

Above the entrance door of the house, there is a medallion with a pictorial depiction of the Prince Eugene Gate, thus linking the house with the name of the glorious general. While the painting had faded over time, the memory of the conquest had not. And so, 300 years after Prince Eugene of Savoy rode through the gate, two commemorative plaques were unveiled and the mural painting above the entrance was restored.

After the withdrawal of Ottoman troops, 144 Jewish inhabitants of Timisoara remained in the city, and had settled in the area around Prince Eugene House. In the first half of the 18th century, they had used this place as a place of worship for almost a quarter of a century.

Today’s inconspicuous street corner thus represents Timisoara’s path into modern-day and the new beginning of Jewish life in the Habsburg monarchy. Both were to bring prosperity and innovation to the city and establish the distinctive cityscape as well as the unique tolerance and liberal views of Timisoarans.