🍀 Saxons - The Straw-Weaving Household from Cisnădioara, Sibiu County

Cisnădioara — also known by its German name, Michelsberg — is a picturesque Saxon village located 15 kilometres from Sibiu, with historical roots dating back to 1223. The house displayed in the museum, built in 1714, reflects the architectural style of the earliest Saxon homes in Transylvania. Its simple design reflects the modest lifestyle and social standing of middle-class families of the time.

Constructed with thick oak and beech beams packed with earth, the house features a long porch that runs along the courtyard side. The porch offered both shelter and space for various household chores. Notice the finely carved wooden posts and the decorative fretwork on the railing boards — understated yet elegant.

The entryway served multiple purposes, functioning as both a kitchen and a space to welcome guests. The back room was used as a straw-weaving workshop, while the “best room” — with small windows facing the street and courtyard — was the heart of the home. It contained family heirlooms, the dowry chest, and a traditional tiled stove. Below, the cellar stored vegetables, preserves, barrels of wine and brandy, and a range of household tools.