Alba Iulia Tourist Guide

1. Start with the Tourist Info Center

right in the citadel.

Address: Aleea Sfântul Capistrano 28, Alba Iulia. Program: 01 May - 30 September: Monday-Sunday: 09:00-19:00; October 01 - April 30: Monday-Sunday:
09:00-17:00.

2. Alexandria Square

We start our walk at Alessandria Square, located on one of the main arteries of the city, at the end of bd. Ferdinand I. In this small square is located the monumental Lupa Capitolina (The Capitoline Wolf Statue), which was donated by the Italian city of Alessandria to the city of Alba Iulia as a sign of the Latin cultural heritage.

3. Gate I

We then head 200 meters along Mihai Viteazul Street right to Gate I, which is on the east side of the citadel. On both sides there are bas-reliefs with scenes from Greek mythology, and at the top there is a statue of the god Mars and the goddess Venus, flanked by bombards.

4. Gate II

On a wide sloping path paved with cubic stone we climb another 100 meters to the Second Gate. It was partially demolished in order to build the Horia, Closca and Crisan obelisk located nearby, from where we have a wonderful perspective for pictures. The obelisk was erected in memory of the martyrs of the 18th century rebellion.

5. Gate III

In front of the obelisk we turn half right to go over a bridge that crosses the defense moat towards the Third Gate, the most spectacular of the city gates, located 100 m from the Second Gate. On its upper part we can see the equestrian statue of the Habsburg Emperor Charles VI, during whose reign the Alba Fortress was built. On a previous visit, here on the bridge in front of the gate, the changing of the guard ceremony took place. Above the gate, under the pedestal of the equestrian statue, is the symbolic Horea's Cell. We are inside the citadel. A bronze guard assures us that we are safe.

6. Mint Gate / 3 Fortifications Trail

In front of the main street of the fortress, which is called Mihai Viteazul, and which crosses the fortress, on the left and parallel to it is Militari Street, where the Monetary Gate is located, which is part of the 3 Fortifications Route. It includes elements from 3 different historical periods: the southern gate of the Roman fortress, the medieval chambers, the Transylvanian Principality's Mint Gate, the Saxon Bastion (of the medieval fortress), the artillery platform of the modern fortification, the military camp and the riding center. The Mint Gate is built on the site of a former church and a monastery, documented in 1294, both belonging to Benedictine nuns. Coins were minted here between the 17th and 19th centuries.

Back on the main artery of the city. Ladies and not only ladies are invited by the gentleman to rest on the benches in front of the square of the Citadel, on our right, where there are several sights, which we will come back to on our return. Right now, we're posing only this bell.

7. Statue of Michael the Brave

We go along the most frequented street of the fortress and on the left, 300 meters from the Third Gate, we admire the equestrian statue of Michael the Brave, the work of sculptor Oscar Han, inaugurated at the semi-centennial celebration of the union.

8. Fourth Gate

Although there are still major sights on both sides, 200 meters further on we come out through the Fourth Gate, situated on the western flank of the citadel and decorated with baroque elements. This, like the third one, is provided on the outside with a wooden drawbridge (swinging) over the defense ditch.

Since we left the fortress, let's point out that in this part is the statue of Avram Iancu, 300 meters from the last gate, slightly to the left of the park in front of us.

9. Orthodox Coronation Cathedral

We pass by the Tourist Info Center and start the tour in reverse, from west to east, but with more details on either side of Mihai Viteazul street. We climb back up to the level of the bridges and face the two large cathedrals in front of our eyes. The one on the left is the Orthodox Cathedral of the Coronation, built in 1921-1922, where King Ferdinand I and Queen Maria were crowned, whose busts are posted outside the entrance. In the nave are the portraits of the founders, and in the pronaos that of Michael the Brave. From the info center it is 300 m.

10. Museikon

We leave the courtyard of the cathedral where we entered, turn right and again near the fortress wall on Unirii Street, where after 100 meters on the left side in a historic monument building, but not restored, is Museikon, which houses the most valuable collection of Romanian icons from Transylvania, old books and other objects of worship.

11. St. Michael's Roman Catholic Cathedral

I turned in front of the 4th Gate, crossed the bridge again and immediately after crossing the fortress we have on the right the high Roman-Catholic Cathedral "St. Michael". 200 m from the museum. The Roman-Catholic Cathedral combines in its architecture elements of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. Inside are the funerary monuments of the Hunedoara family.

To the right is the Episcopal Palace, the former residence of Queen Isabella and her son, John Sigismund, Prince of Transylvania. Today it houses the Roman Catholic Archdiocese.

On the main street I admire other superb bronze statues. For those who want to buy a souvenir or to have something to eat or drink, they can do it at the kiosks set up along the street or at the small terraces, all under the umbrella of a single brand "Visit Alba Iulia". Very well conceived and implemented. Congratulations!

12. Princely Palace

On the right, behind the cathedral we see the statue of Michael the Brave and behind it the Princely Palace, under renovation at the time of my visit. It was the residence of the princes of Transylvania in the XVI - XVII centuries, and in 1599 it was also the residence of the prince Michael the Brave. 100 m from the cathedral.

13. Union Museum / Union Hall

Now we go perpendicular to the main artery towards the direction of Michael the Brave's gaze and enter the Museum Street, which separates two important buildings: the Union Museum, on the left, and the Union Hall, on the right, facing each other, 100 meters from the statue. The National Unification Museum, built in the 19th century, was, before its current purpose, a home for Habsburg officers and their families. The Union Hall was formerly a military casino for Austro-Hungarian officers. On December 1, 1918 it was here that the act of union of Transylvania with Romania was decided and signed. On the western wall there are marble plaques with the texts of the Union Resolution and the Law for the Union of Transylvania, Banat, Crisana, Satmar and Maramures with Romania.

14. Principia Museum / Citadel Square / Custozza Monument / Losenau Monument

If we go around the building that houses the Union Hall, 100 meters to the side and behind it is the Principia Museum, which shows most of the Roman castrum, the command building of the 13th Gemina Legion, the place where the treasure and banners were kept. We arrived after 200 meters in the Citadel Square.

At the center of the square is the Custozza Monument erected in memory of the soldiers of the 50th Infantry Regiment who were captured in the Battle of Custozza (Italy) in the 7-week War between the Prussians allied with the Italians and Austrians.

On one side of the square is the Losenau Monument, built in memory of the Austrian colonel Ludovic von Losenau, the leader of the Habsburg troops, who died during the 1848 Revolution in battle against the Hungarians.

15. Apor Palace

On the other side of the square is the University December 1, 1918. From the square we continue on to the roundabout next to the university and then we go behind it on Gabriel Bethlen street. After 300 meters on the right side we admire the Apor Palace, built in baroque style. It bears the name of Count Stefan Apor, the treasurer of Transylvania. Today it houses the rectorate of the university.

16. Batthyaneum Library

Just 100 meters further along the same street is the Batthyaneum Library, a museum of medieval and pre-modern books. It has a special visiting regime.

17. Cetate Park (Central)

To the left we arrive again in the western part of the fortress where we mark once again the 2 superb cathedrals and after 500 meters I invite you to enjoy the alleys of the small Fortress Park. In the middle of it is a fountain, on the alleys there are benches, which invite you to a well-deserved break.

Between the fountain and the fortress is the Union Monument.

18. Other photos

At the end of the tour of the fortress I hurry as I want to catch some evening shots in the fortress. Let me also mention that you can also surround the fortress by the moat of defense, beautifully landscaped and suitable for cycling. Two-seater bicycles can be rented in summer from the fortress square. There are beautiful green spaces where the Visit Alba brand emblems are framed. You will take a walk under the bridges of the 3rd and 4th gates but you can also pass by the 5th, 6th and 7th gates of the Alba Carolina Citadel.