La Trompetist Inn
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| La Trompetist Inn | |
|---|---|
Hanul „La Trompetist” | |
 | |
 Interactive map of the La Trompetist Inn area | |
| Former names | Hungária Hotel |
| Alternative names | Cuza House |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Eclectic/Historicist |
| Location | 6 Bishop Augustin Pacha Street, Timișoara, Romania |
| Coordinates | 45°45′24″N 21°13′48″E / 45.75667°N 21.23000°E |
| Completed | Early 18th century |
| Renovated | 1894 |
La Trompetist Inn, also known among locals as Cuza House, is a historical building in the Cetate district of Timișoara, Romania, in the immediate vicinity of Union Square. It has hosted, since 1719, the inn and tavern La Trompetist (German: Der Trompeter; "The Trumpeter)," hence the name, which was considered a luxury hotel and also the most sought-after place to stay and spend free time in the city.[1]
La Trompetist Inn, named after its first owner, Friedrich Gram—a former trumpeter in the imperial army from Braunschweig and a member of the city's German magistrature since 1718—is listed among the 13 restaurants that received the right to operate through an act of the city magistrate on 11 September 1719.[2][3] By 1747, the building belonged to judge Anton Seltmann and consisted of a single floor.[4] It served as a key stop for postmen traveling between Sibiu and Vienna and became a city landmark thanks to its prominent location and unique name. Over time, the inn changed its name to the La Trompetă Hotel.[5] Around 1780, records indicate that a room with a bed cost 15 kreutzers, while a full meal was priced at approximately 10 kreutzers.[6]
At the end of the 19th century, the building was completely reconstructed and a new floor was added by its new owner, Gyula Illits. Following the completion of the work—officially permitted on 13 March 1894—the hotel resumed operations under its new name, Hungária Hotel. At that time, it offered 50 elegant rooms and modern amenities, including bathrooms with running water.[1]
The inn's emblem features a soldier trumpeter on horseback, crafted from perforated iron sheet that was originally gilded. This figure is set within a rectangular iron frame, constructed from two parallel iron bands held together by slightly convex iron washers. The top of the frame is adorned with leaf-shaped decorations made of iron sheet, attached to an arched support. Similar leaf motifs appear along the bottom, though in a simpler form. At each corner of the frame, the design includes eight rose motifs—four on the front and four on the back. The frame surrounding the trumpeter is painted red.[7] The piece was displayed at the 1873 Vienna World's Fair and entered the collection of the Banat Museum on 6 July 1891.[2][6]
