Top 10 Things to do in Oradea, Romania

This ensemble of buildings is one of the monumental architectural works in Oradea and Transylvania, typical for the secession style. The architects Komor Marcell and Jakab Dezső won the contest for the construction of this complex. Two Jewish lawyers, Dr. Kurlander Ede and Dr. Emil Adorjan, decided to finance, using their own resources, the construction of a noteworthy building in Oradea. The work started in 1907, under the supervision of the civil engineer Sztarill Ferenc, and in December 1908 the building was completed. Consisting of two unequal and asymmetrical buildings, connected to a third one, placed in the middle and more isolated, the complex housed a theatre, ballrooms, a casino and offices. The Y-shaped gallery (passage) has three entrances. The Vittorio Emanuele Gallery in Milan inspired the glass-covered interior. The gallery or the Passage, as the local people know it, concentrates the most popular bars, coffee houses and pubs in the city, being the entertainment high spot of the city.

This name derives from the mechanism installed in the church tower in 1793. The clock and the moon are the work of George Rueppe, an innovative mechanic from Oradea. The mechanism rotating the moon is designed to make a full rotation on its axis in 28 days, thus indicating the moon phases, depending on the daily cycle marked by the clock mechanism. Inside the Moon Church you can visit a representative museum, with particularly beautiful Orthodox church-related objects.

ORADEA MEDIAEVAL FORTRESS HISTORY AND EVENTS WITNESSING THE PASSAGE OF TIME If nowadays we can hear about history in school and see it in museums, this is the best place to feel it. The fortress has witnessed the passage of time and continues to keep its old charm. It tells everlasting stories and passes on to its visitors some of the history it knows. The Fortress of Oradea is nowadays the living proof of those historical times and it continues to remind everyone of what it used to represent. Also, it is one of the symbols of the city along Crișul Repede river and the heart of its cultural events. LIVING HISTORY! The Mediaeval music Concerts held here will take you back to an atmosphere of already forgotten times, while fighting demonstrations and guided tours accompanied by weapon and armour presentations will steal your attention. The Fortress is no longer literally under siege, but still there are many tourists and local people visiting it, our of a wish to live a bit of real history. Here are some of the new functions of the Fortress: - the City Museum - the Museum of Bread - the Bakery, dating more than 3 centuries back - cafés - traditional restaurants

The City Hall Palace and Tower THE BUILDING IS THE WORK OF ARCHITECT RIMANÓCZY KÁLMÁN JR., WHO IN 1896 WON THE PROJECT CONTEST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN OF THE CITY HALL. THE SOLEMN INAUGURATION MEETING OF THE LOCAL COUNCIL WAS HELD IN THE NEWLY-BUILT PALACE ON THE 10th OF JANUARY 1904. THE CITY HALL TOWER With a height of about 50 m and 4 main levels, three of which have observation decks, the City Hall Palace Tower is also hosts the clock announcing the exact time in Oradea. The mechanism of the clock, called the "mother clock", strikes every hour and plays Iancu's March. The local watchmaker Mezey Dezső built the mechanism in the early twentieth century, in 1904. The clock survived two world wars, while the roof and wall of the tower survived the two great fires of 1917 and 1944. The watch dial retains even today bullet holes from gunfires shot during the Second World War. The second level was also the observation point of the city firefighter on duty. Fires were announced by ringing a bell, depending on the area where the fire started. In the daytime, a red flag was unfurled in the direction of the fire, while at night an electric projector was used.

In 1878, the Jewish community builds, on the bank of Crișul Repede river, a monumental Synagogue with 1000 places, dominated by a huge central dome. The project was designed by Busch David in a neo-Moorish style and executed by Rimanoczy Kalman (the father). The interior fresco belongs to the Kosice painter Horovitz Mor. The interior and exterior decorations are of Moorish inspiration.

VIEWPOINT - CIUPERCA HILL ONE VIEW OVER ORADEA! If you spend a few days in the city on Crișul Repede river or you are only passing through, this is the place you should not miss. The Ciuperca Hill is one of the most famous symbols of Oradea, opening a very nice perspective over the city. WALKING TO THE CIUPERCA HILL If you are close to I.C. Brătianu park, cross it on foot and you will find a route to the Ciuperca Hill - the viewpoint of Oradea. The stone path up the hill is surrounded by a beautiful sight of trees and vegetation. You will find a waterfall along the way and if you get tired, you can rest on a bench or in the shade of a pavilion. As you continue uphill, there may be people lying in the grass and painters caught by the landscape. Now you've come to the top and the entire city is at your feet! THE CITY AT DUSK The story of the Ciuperca Hill continues at dusk, as the restaurant on top of it provides an intimate setting to romantic people, combined with refined food and a special view. The city lights in the evening are a fascinating show, but so are the shapes of the main city highlights that start to inhabit the hill, as their well hidden lights are turned on. The outdoor Amphitheatre comes to complete the landscape, offering a place for meditation, shows, debates or various cultural events, with 130 seats available. Perfect for a cool summer evening spent with friends over a glass of wine!