Balási mansion

The building with castle character it’s from the first decades of the 19^th century, probably built in 1833 for the most considerable member of the Balási family, from the order of Balási József (1778-1855). The Balási family had been very appreciated in the local community, the ancestors of Balási József were prefects of Kászonszék for many generations and they had magisterial functions and Latin education.

The magisterial career of Balási József started in 1798. Starting from 1810 he was chosen for the head of Kászonszék, he supplied this position for 23 years. In 1841 he was chosen for the head official in charge of Csíkszék. His activity in jurisdiction and public administration was recognized in 1843 by Ferdinand the V.^th, by donating the crested patent of nobility. The three tier building with square ground has late Baroque style characteristics. The building praises the work of masters of Kászon, who worked under the supervision of masters from Vienna. The imposing building has a symmetric forming inside and outside as well. The mansion is made up of two buildings, the three tier main building, and a smaller, rear building with a more modest implementation. A sharp belt ledge separates the two inhabitant levels of the main building from each other. The accentuated elements of the facades are the arcaded balcony which can be seen on the south side, the pigtail styled ionic pillar, the rustic plaster lanes, and the trigeminal main entrance on the north side.

The chimneys of the roof have visible inscriptions, which probably immortalize the year of the construction: on one of them is the word ANNO, on the other is 1833. The family, more precisely Balási József the VII.^th, donated the building to the Roman Catholic diocese of Transylvania, which was taken on lease for 30 years by Böjte Csaba Franciscan monk, for the Foundation of Child Saving. Currently the building is the home for destitute children.