Oradea, Hungarian Nagyvárad, German Grosswardein, a city in northern Romania, capital of Bihor Jude (county). It is built around 8 miles (13 kilometres) east of the Hungarian border, entirely all along the Crişul Repede River, which flows from the Western Carpathians' western slopes onto the Hungarian Plain. One of the region's early feudal republics, governed by Prince Menumorut in the middle of the ninth and beginning of the tenth centuries, was centred on a castle at Biharea, northwest of Oradea. Oradea's fortress was built between 1114 and 1131, damaged by Tatars in 1241, and restored in the 15th century by the Corvinus dynasty. The Turks inhabited the village between 1660 and 1692, after which it became Hungarian. 

Oradea is a cultural hub featuring a state cinema, puppet auditorium, chamber orchestra, district library, and museum. The spas of Băile Felix and Băile 1 Mai Băile Felix are located five kilometres east of Oradea. Oradea has grown into a significant industrial centre since World War II, manufacturing industrial machinery, drilling equipment, chemicals, highly processed, and footwear.

When To Visit Oradea

Here is some information to assist you in making your decision:

April, May, June, July, August, September, and October are the best months for nice weather in Oradea (Transylvania).

July and August are the months with scorching heat on average.

The months of January and February are the coolest of the year.

May and June are the wettest months.

Good to Know About Oradea

Oradea is the county capital of Bihor and is located in northwestern Romania, near the Hungarian borders. The Crişul Repede River divides the city, which is recognized for its spectacular art nouveau and baroque buildings.

Oradea has gone through some substantial repair and renovation efforts in the last few years, and the results have been amazing. It's a city that has been resurrected. Some places may still be under development, but the general picture is improving. The objective is to create additional pedestrian zones in the city centre, as well as make it, even more, bike accessible and breathable overall.

Things to See in Oradea

Union Square and Black Eagle Palace

Union Square is the city's centre point, and it's simple to see why. The plaza, which is now being renovated, is surrounded by exquisite buildings such as the Bishops Palace, the Church of the Moon, the Black Eagle Palace, the Catholic Church, and the municipal hall. It's a fantastic pedestrian-friendly wide-open park with fountains and grassy spaces where you can grab a coffee or watch local youngsters test out their bikes, skateboards, or scooters. The Black Eagle Palace is known to be the most recognizable structure. It is Romania's most representative architectural building erected in the Secession Style.

The floral and zoomorphic embellishments on the façade as seen from Unirii Square, united with baroque and rococo characteristics, make it an iconic marvel, a one-of-a-kind manifestation of aesthetic thought from the early twentieth century. In 1908, the structure was completed to become a resort with 75 rooms, a theatre, a casino, a ballroom, and office spaces. The Black Eagle Passage was designed in the manner of Milan's famed Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery and now includes stores, restaurants, and cafés. The light streaming through the stained-glass windows, the curving lines, the candelabras, and the distinctive secession ornamental elements all contribute to this location's reputation.

The ‘Zion’ Neolog Synagogue

The Synagogue was erected in 1878, with a Moorish-influenced design. In Bucharest, Oradea was the second biggest Jewish population in Romania in 1940, but after 1946, the colony of 30.000 persons was reduced to a paltry 6.000. One in every three persons was deported, and some of them died on the battlefield or died of starvation. This made the restoration of this monument all the more critical. The Synagogue was in danger of being razed, but thanks to a 3 million euro investment, it was rescued and returned to the community. Nonetheless, with the funding, the building's function has been altered.

The synagogue is currently providing a public service in a new capacity by hosting conferences, concerts, and cultural events.

While it is no longer used for worship, the restorations preserved all of the synagogue's original designs, along with the original vault where the Torah was kept, complete with original tapestries and gold star ornaments. Another intriguing fact is that throughout the restorations, employees unearthed a glass cylinder containing a message dated 1896 when digging beneath the floor. The perfectly preserved document is a letter written by the employees who initially renovated the synagogue and presented it to Franz Joseph I, King of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They spoke about their contribution, as well as the joy and respect they felt while working on it.

The Greek Catholic Episcopal Palace

A year ago, the Bishops Castle, one of the most beautiful structures in Oradea's Unirii Square, was destroyed by fire. Back in July, as one can see from the backdrop, the roof was virtually done. According to the city hall, they completed the roof reconstruction in mid-October and began a public bidding process for the interior restoration.

Calea Republic

Calea Republicii is Oradea's principal pedestrian retail street. Left and right, you'll see some stunning Art Nouveau palaces. The boulevard has been almost fully renovated, and you'll need to stroll down and up a few times to take in all of the splendour. 

Among the architecture that will strike your attention are Rimanoczy Kalman Sr. Castle, Stern Villa, and my personal favourite, Moskovits Miksa Palace.

Oradea Roman Catholic Basilica

The basilica was erected between 1752 and 1780 on the Jesuit designs of the "Il Gesu" Church in Rome, and it is Romania's greatest baroque landmark. As basic as the outside appears, the interior is rich and gorgeous. This is unique to the Jesuit Order and may be seen throughout Europe. It's more of a metaphor for what we're as humans: modest on the outside and rich on the inside. The building took about 30 years to complete, due to Empress Maria Teresa, who donated the organ, which is still operational after more than 230 years.