There are legends, according to which the eyes were built to frighten the people, making them believe they are being watched. Their real purpose was to act as a ventilation system for the houses’ attics. Nowadays, the eyes have become one of Sibiu’s most famous symbols, making them a tourist attraction.

In 2017, the eyes became a symbol of Romania’s anti-corruption fight, being used by the organisation Vă vedem din Sibiu (“We see you from Sibiu”).