Timişoara | Places to Visit in Timisoara

Timisoara - General Information
Location: Western Romania (County: Timis)
Size: 52 sq. miles (130.5 sq. kilometers)
Elevation: 310 ft. (90 meters)
Population: 450,000
Inhabited since: 200 BC
First documented: 1212 AD

Darc Café, on the shore of Bega river

Sunset on the Bega river

- A night in Timisoara -

Morning, sleeping swans on the Bega canal

(Dimineata, Lebede adormite pe Bega)

Timisoara - City Highlights

The first record of the city of Timisoara, built on the site of an ancient Roman fortress called Castrum Regium Themes, dates back to 1212.

Over the years, Timisoara, the largest city in western Romania, has been influenced by many cultures. The Romans used it as an important crossroads fortress until the Tatars destroyed it in the 13th century. Conquered by Turkish armies in 1552, Timisoara remained under their protection until 1718 when the region of Banat came under Austrian rule for two centuries. Timisoara later became a vital commercial and manufacturing town. Turks, Austrians, Germans and Serbs all left their mark and their influence can be seen in neighborhoods throughout the city even today.

The charm of this city, settled on the northern bank of the Bega River, lies in its distinct architectural character and vibrant cultural life. Frequently referred to as "Little Vienna," Timisoara is home to year-round musical and theatrical performances, art galleries, museums and a buzzing nightlife. A progressive, cosmopolitan place, Timisoara was the first city in Europe and second in the world after New York, to use electricity to illuminate its public streets.

Thanks to its mild climate, Timisoara has lots of public squares and lush green retreats. The city is easy to explore on foot. If you get tired, a tram will be along in a moment; the system is fast, frequent and efficient.

Timisoara abounds with churches of several denominations, a Jewish quarter, an elegant baroque square and a pedestrian-only downtown area. Some of the monuments in the heart of the city afford panoramic views, while the many parks in this "city of flowers" provide an idyllic spot to take a break from sightseeing.

City Landmarks

In many respects, it is the abundance of Secessionist architecture that has provided Timisoara with its rather appropriate moniker, "Little Vienna." Secessionism developed in two distinct architectural phases here. Sinuous lines and floral decorations characterized the first phase which lasted until 1908. The second phase, which continued until the First World War, saw simpler, larger buildings with geometrical designs. Secessionism in Romania was an important link between the Byzantine style and later modernist architecture.

Victory Square (Piata Victoriei)

Some of the city's most interesting sites are its elegant baroque buildings, spread around town and particularly along the main square, Piata Victoriei, which stretches from Opera Square (Piata Operei) to Loga Boulevard.

Opera, Opera Square (Piata Operei) by Flavius Neamciuc

The focal point is the towering Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedrala Ortodoxa Mitropolitana)

at the south side of the square. Built between 1936 and 1946, its green and red roof tiles are arranged in a mosaic design. In front of the Cathedral is a memorial to those who lost their lives during the 1989 Revolution which overthrew Communist rule. The Memorial Museum of the 1989 Revolution (Muzeul Revolutiei) offers a full insight into the revolution in Timisoara.

foto credits: Hemant Shehrawat

Union Square (Piata Unirii)

Across the town centre is the picturesque Habsburg-era Piata Unirii, so-named for the imposing sight of the Romano-Catholic and Serbian Orthodox Cathedrals facing each other. Historic pastel-hued buildings line the square. During the 18th century, this was the city's commercial centre and the venue for numerous military processions and religious ceremonies.

Timisoara, right before sunrise - [ Timisoara inainte de rasarit ]
foto credits : Hemant Shehrawat

foto credits: Cornel Alin

foto credits : Andrei Istrate

Foto : Andrei Ala

by Adriana Popa

foto credits: Hemant Shehrawat

Nicolas Lenau College (Liceul Nicolas Lenau), located on the north side of the square, was built in 1761 and was home to the earliest theatre in Timisoara.

The baroque Serbian Orthodox Cathedral (Biserica Orthodoxa Sarba),

built in 1745-48, and the mint green and white Serbian Bishop's Residence (Vicariatul Ortodox Sarb) with its extravagant decorations are located on the west side of the square. The Cathedral can be visited daily between 7am and 6pm.

foto credits: Flore Corlan

The Roman Catholic Cathedral (Catedrala Episcopala Romano-Catolica)

on the east side of the square was built between 1736 and 1754 to the design of Fisher von Erlach and represents a fine example of Viennese baroque style. The main altar painting was completed by Michael Angelo Unterberger, director of the Fine Arts Academy in Vienna.

foto credits: Dan Popescu

The impressive 18th century Baroque Palace (Palatul Vechii Prefecturi)

dominates the square's south side. Formerly the governor's residence, it now houses the Museum of Fine Arts with works by German, Flemish and Italian artists.

At the northwest corner of Piata Unirii stands the spectacular Scont Bank (Banca de Scont).

This typical Hungarian-style art nouveau structure, built in the early 20th century, features an organic shape comprising curved walls studded with turquoise tiles forming patterns drawn from folklore, and extravagant iron gutters and window grills.

foto: Hemant Shehrawat

From Piata Unirii, walk east along Str. Palanca to the oldest building in Timisoara, now housing the Banat Etnographic Museum within the city's remaining 18th century bastion.

Curtea Bastionului Theresia, Timisoara
[ Theresia Bastion courtyard, Timisoara ]

Foto : Hemant Shehrawat

Theresia Bastion, aerial photo - Photo by : Virgil Simonescu

Freedom Square (Piata Libertatii) to Victory Square (Piata Victoriei) :

Another remarkable open space in the city is Piata Libertatii which offers a great display of Secessionist architecture. The Banat region was under Turkish rule from 1552 until 1716 when the Austrian-Habsburg Prince Eugene de Savoy took over Timisoara. At this time, a seven-star- shaped bastion and gate-towers were constructed and the marshes surrounding the town were drained by the new Habsburg governor, General Mercy.

Central Park - busts of prominent personalities in the history of Timisoara (in the foreground bust Florimund Count Claudius Mercy, next to that of Eugene of Savoy)

Parcul Central - busturi ale personalitatilor marcante din istoria Timisoarei (in prim-plan bustul contelui Claudius Florimund Mercy, iar alaturi cel al lui Eugeniu de Savoia)

Christmas time in Timisoara

foto credits : Hemant Shehrawat

Hotel Timisoara in the rain - Photo by Alexandr Maxiuta

The beautiful historical center of Timisoara
foto: Hemant Shehrawat

foto : Hemant Shehrawat

Foto: Orăşteanu Roxana

Warm evening, Victory Square, Timisoara

Piata victoriei intr-o seara calduroasa

Continue along Str. Lucian Blaga to the 14th century Huniade Castle (Castelul Huniade). Built during the rule of Carol Robert, Prince de Anjou, it was completed by Iancu of Hundeoara and redesigned by the Habsburgs in the 18th century.

Huniade Castle (Castelul Huniade)

Huniade Castle, now a museum of Banat

Podului Dacilor

Residential areas

South and east of the Bega Canal are the Josefin, Elisabetin and Fabric residential districts, true gems of Jugendstil, or art nouveau, architecture, built mainly in the late 19th century. The small residential square of Piata Plevnei, south of the Bega Canal, is bordered by excellent examples of the first phase of Secessionist architecture, such as Gemeinhardt's Peacock House (Casa cu Pauni) built in 1905. Facades are covered with an abundance of typical motifs: peacocks, swans, owls and squirrels together with sinuous vines and foliage. The theme continues on the buildings lining Splaiul Tudor Vladimirescu, following the south bank of the Bega, and to a lesser extent, around nearby Piata Maria and Bulevardul 16 Decembrie 1989.

Water tower, Iosefin district

Old butchery

Palatul apelor

Traian Square (Piata Traian)

Different perspective
foto : Hemant Shehrawat

Fabric neighborhood (Cartierul Fabric)
foto: Claudiu Pavlov

Secessionist, or art nouveau architecture also can be found in the cities of Arad (especially on Strada Closca and Piata Avram Iancu), Oradea (Vulturul Negru and Astoria hotels), Cluj (Odon Lechner National Theatre), Satu Mare and Targu Mures (Palace of Culture).

City Business Center, Timisoara

Dan Paltinisanu stadium

Jewish Timisoara

Timisoara Even though Jewish presence in the Banat region dates back to the 2nd century AD, the first written mention of the Jewish community in Timisoara occurred in 1716, when the Turkish army commander surrendered the town to the Austrian Prince Eugeniu of Savoia.
In the old Sephardic cemetery, graves dating to the Turkish occupation may be seen, the oldest belonging to Azriel Assael, a Rabbi and surgeon who died in 1636. A century latter, Rabbi Meir Amigo and four followers from Istanbul were allowed to settle in the city.

Following the implementation of citizen rights acts in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Timisoara's Jewish community flourished, reaching a population of almost 7,000. Six synagogues were built in the city after 1867, the year of the Austro-Hungarian reconciliation. Today, three remain with one still active.

Synagogue in Fabric

Nearby Attractions

Recas Vineyards
Where: 12 miles east of Timisoara
Access: car, bus, train
http://www.recaswine.ro/?r=na
Taste white, red and rosé wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Burgund Mare, Merlot, Cadarca, Feteasca Regala or Creata at Recas Wine Cellars (Cramele Recas). A visit at the cellars will give you the opportunity to attend a presentation of the wine making process in the Barrique Hall, and the conservation of bottled wines in the Recas vinoteque - featuring stocks of exceptional vintages.

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Timisoara was the first European city to introduce horse-drawn trams (in 1869) and electrical street lighting (in 1889);
Timisoara was built on a swamp; the Metropolitan Cathedral has 5000 oaks supports underneath it;

Johnny Weissmuller, Hollywood's original Tarzan, was born here.
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