Oradea Travel Guide

1. Baroque Complex

The address is Strada Sirul Canonicilor 13.

Baroque Complex from Oradea is biggest baroque architectural complex in Romania. It is framed by Bd. Dacia, Str. Magnoliei, Str. Sirul Canonicilor and Str. Muzeului, which separates it from the Petofi Sandor Park and is located at the intersection of the road leading to the customs with the road going to the railway station. The domain includes Episcopal Palace in the shape of the letter U and Roman Catholic Cathedral, and The Canons' Row a 250 m long corridor composed of 57 arches and connecting 10 buildings, located on the other side of the street of the same name, completes the jewel of this corner of the country. It is a place where you can relax for hours in an English-style landscaped garden where we find the bronze statue of Bishop Sz. Ferenc and the huge statue of St. Ladislaus. The interior of the "U" includes Court of Honor. The complex was built in the 18th century. The architect of the 365-windowed palace is the Austrian Franz Anton Hillebrandt.

A dedicated article you can read on the link https://mytravel.express/obiective-mte/complexul-baroc-din-oradea-bihor/.

You can read more on the link https://www.visitoradea.com/ro/top-10-oradea/complexul-baroc.

2. Petőfi Sándor Park

We follow the long direction Petőfi Sándor Park, where you can also find Statue of Petőfi Sándor. It is a quiet park with playgrounds and one of the oldest in Oradea. In 2023 it enters a modernization process.

We will end up in the Republic Street, where we will tread at every step with our eyes wide and our mouths open. Republic Street is a place not to be missed. Here are some gorgeous buildings we pass by.

3. Moskovits-Miksa Palace

The address is Republic Street.

The architect of the superb Moskovits-Mitsa Palace, an Art Nouveau mansion with turquoise facades richly loaded with turquoise details of effect built in the early 20th century, 1904 - 1905, is Rimanoczi Kalman Jr. Located at the corner of Traian Park St., the rounded corner portion encompassing a gorgeous balcony is wow. Moskovits Miksa Palace is the first building in Oradea to use concrete ribbed slabs. The name of the palace comes from the name of the engineer who commissioned it after buying the land for 52,000 crowns. He also lived in the palace. The palace is decorated with plant motifs, has a basement and 2 floors. This style is called Lilienstil and is best represented in the bas-relief above the corner balcony, where the main motif is a woman's head surrounded by branches, leaves and flowers.

You can read more on the link https://www.oradeaheritage.ro/palatul-moskovits-miksa/.

4. Ady Endre Memorial Museum

The address is Parcul Traian 10.

Open Tuesday - Sunday 10 - 17.

We follow the street Parcul Traian a few steps until ... Traian Park. Ady Endre Museum is located right in the center of the small park, in front of it and Statue of Ady Endre. The house, former Café Müller of the intellectuals, was built in the 19th century. It was the poet's favorite place, where he also created. The museum houses works by the writer and old photographs.

You can read more on the link https://www.visitoradea.com/ro/what-to-see/muzeul-ady-endre.

5. Palace of Justice

The address is 10 Franz Schubert Street at the corner of Parcul Traian Street.

On the left side of the street Parcul Traian at no. 12 we have Palace of Justice, which includes the Magistrate's Court, the Tribunal and the Court of Appeal. The Palace of Justice is an imposing building built in 1898 with eclectic-style architecture, in which old murals have been preserved inside. One depicts a goddess of justice, another an archangel with the coat of arms of Oradea, another two angels with the coat of arms of Bihor county and another a scholar. The palace is built on 3 floors and has 2 inner courtyards.

You can read more on the link https://www.oradeainimagini.ro/de-vizitat/monumente-culturale/de-vizitat-palatul-de-justitie-din-oradea/.

6. Rimanóczy Kálmán jr. Palace / Romanian Patriarchate - Orthodox Diocese of Oradea

The address is 3 Roman Ciorogariu Street.

I was looking for this palace with Google Maps and I found myself in front of a building that said Romanian Patriarchate - Orthodox Episcopate. Yes, it's right in Palace of Rimanoczi Kalman jr., an architect who has left his mark on several gems of buildings in the city. The architectural style is eclectic with neo-Gothic elements. The palace served as the residence of the architect whose name it bears. Rimanoczy jr also built other remarkable buildings such as the Town Hall, the Palace of Finance, Miskovits Mitsa Palace, Rimanoczy Kakman Palace, Apollo Palace and others. The palace was probably built in 1903 and has 2 floors.

You can read more on the link https://www.oradeaheritage.ro/palatul-rimanoczy-jr-episcopia-ortodoxa/.

7. Ursulines Monastery / Ady Endre High School

The address is Republic Street,

Ursulines Monastery, built in the 18th century in baroque style, it is right on the main street and today houses Ady Endre High School, taught in Hungarian. It is dedicated to St. Anne.

8. Bazaar

The address is in King Ferdinand Square.

Construction bazaarbegan simultaneously with that of the theater in the neighborhood, in 1899. In the rectangle I was writing about, next to the theater, there's also Bazaar building. Architect same Rimanoczi K Jr. It is crossed by a passage. The Edison Theater, a movie theater and an English buffet once operated here.

9. State Theater

The address is Piata Regele Ferdinand 4-6.

Before the end of Republic Street there is a rectangle of streets. No matter which way we go, there's no way we won't end up near State Theaterwith a capacity of 1,000 seats. It hosts 2 theaters: Queen Maria Theater and Szigligeti Theater. I found it in the process of renovation, as the whole Republicii street was a building site, but a very well organized one. The construction of the theater was finished in 1900. Architect Rimanoczi K Jr. The entrance is framed by statues of the goddesses of comedy and tragedy. The architectural style is neoclassical and rococo. The columned façade is reminiscent of the Roman Athenaeum in Bucharest.

The theater's website is https://www.teatrulreginamaria.ro/ro/.

10. Sztarill Palace / Hotel Astoria

The address is Strada Teatrului 1-2.

Next to the theater is another gorgeous palace: Sztarill Palace. The architectural style is neo-gothic with secession elements. Sztarill is the name of the architect who built other impressive palaces in Oradea, this one erected in 1902. The multi-storey house was the Jugenstil-style Emke café, a favorite of writers and journalists. Upstairs it had apartments for rent. In 1930 it became the Hotel Astoria, but closed because of the war. In 1975 Hotel Astoria in this palace.

You can read more on the link https://www.oradeaheritage.ro/palatul-sztarill-hotel-astoria-oradea/.

11. Poynár House

The address is in King Ferdinand Square.

Another palace, in Ferdinand I Square at the intersection with Grigorescu Street, is Poynár House. It was owned by the Poynár family. It was built between 1907 - 1911 by local architect Sztarill in the secession style and housed commercial activities. It stands out for its corner tower and zoomorphic motifs.

You can read more on the link https://www.oradeaheritage.ro/casa-poynar-artnouveau/.

12. The Red River / St. Ladislau Bridge

We can walk along the river The Red River on the pedestrian street or the alleys by the river. We'll have to cross the Crișș River on the St. Ladislau Bridge. This bridge has a long history. First there was a wooden bridge here, then a metal suspension bridge, built in an arch, but bombed in the war, then the reconstructed bridge over which trams used to cross. The bridge was brought back into use in 2016 after capital repairs. Ornaments on the bridge symbolize a tulip. We will cross the bridge and turn the page to see, what wonders are to be found on the other side of the Cris Repede, in fascinating Oradea.

You can read more on the link https://ghidlocal.com/oradea/articole/povestea-podurilor-oradene-i-podul-sf-ladislau/.

13. Union Square

After we cross the Red Deut on the St. Ladislau Bridge on its southern bank we have in front of us a wide space, called Union Square. Fascinating!

Unirii Square is the center of the New Town... The first square on this place was the Small Square between 1714 and 1740. The present spectacular square was formed after 1908 when the palaces surrounding it were finished. Today the Union Square is the historical and cultural center of Oradea.

We will start exploring this spectacular perimeter very well organized from the perspective of tourists, who are well protected by cars, which have their own access ways, but the tourist has ... more.

The center of Union Square is dominated by Statue of King Ferdinand I - King of Romania between 1914 and 1927.

You can read more on the link https://www.oradeaheritage.ro/piata_unirii_oradea/.

On the right, on the United Principalities Street, which runs along the river bank, there is a large building and a tower...

14. City Hall / City Hall Tower

The address is Piata Unirii 1.

Open Monday - Thursday 8am - 6pm and Friday 8am - 3:30pm

You need to know that Town Hall in Oradea is ... visitable. You can climb Town Hall Tower, which houses a museum, an old clock tower and you can climb up to the balconies which offer an excellent view of the surroundings. Not to be missed!

The architect of this palace is Kalman Rimanoczy, who combined eclectic and Renaissance styles in this project. It was built between 1901 and 1903.

The Town Hall Palace is also the building where Dr. Petru Groza, the former Prime Minister, lived. It looks quite gray-communist.

Clock Tower is 50 meters high and has 4 floors, three of which have panoramic views. You shouldn't miss a climb up the City Hall Tower to see Oradea from the top. In the tower is the clock that announces the fixed hours in Oradea. The clock, built in 1904, plays Iancu's March from hour to hour. Attention! The ticket office closes 30 minutes before the end of the daily tours.

You can read more on the link https://www.visitoradea.com/ro/top-10-oradea/palatul-si-turnul-primariei.

15. Greek-Catholic Episcopal Palace

The address is Mihai Pavel Street.

In one corner of Union Square is Greek-Catholic Episcopal Palace. The grand palace built at the beginning of the 20th century in eclectic style had the same architect K. Rimanoczy Jr. The palace actually turns your eyes towards it. It has a corner tower and several semicircular turrets. The chapel has stained-glass windows, monumental marble stairs.

A dedicated article you can read on the link https://mytravel.express/obiective-mte/catedrala-greco-catolica-oradea-bihor/.

You can read more on the link https://www.oradeaheritage.ro/palatul-episcopal-greco-catolic/.

16. Black Eagle Palace

The address is 1 Independentei Street.

It is open non stop.

Black Eagle Palace is the emblem of Oradea. It's the most beautiful palace. It's a subjective appreciation and anyway hard to make between so many wonders.

The architecture belongs to the secession style. This palace also has an interesting history. In 1903, a design competition was organized to change the face of the Eagle Hotel. Hungarian architects Dezso Jakab and Marcell Komor won out of 13 competitors. Their project was considered expensive and was never implemented by the city, which sold the land and the building. Two lawyers Ede Kurlander and Emil Adorjan became the owners. They decided to implement the winning project with the authorization of the City Hall. The extensive work was finished in 1908 and Black Eagle Palace was inaugurated a year later.

The building has 4 floors and is crossed by a glazed passage. The facade is asymmetrical. The main attraction is the stained-glass window with the black eagle, its emblem. It is full of spectacular architectural ornaments. An attraction is the gallery itself.

A dedicated article you can read on the link https://mytravel.express/obiective-mte/palatul-vulturul-negru-oradea-bihor/.

You can read more on the link https://www.oradeaheritage.ro/palatul-vulturul-negru/.

17. Church with the Moon

The address is Piata Unirii 2.

In another corner of Union Square is Church with the Moon. It belongs to the Orthodox rite and is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It was built in the 18th century. The name comes from the mechanism on the church spire, which moves a moon-shaped sphere that follows the rotation of the Moon around the Earth.

A dedicated article you can read on the link https://mytravel.express/obiective-mte/biserica-cu-luna-oradea-bihor/.

The church website is https://www.bisericaculunaoradea.ro/.

18. Adolf Moskovits Palace and Sons

The address is 1 Vasile Alecsandri Street.

The skyline tour in this area closes with Adolf Moskovits Palace and Sons. It is interesting, but also very different from the palaces we have seen so far. It was built in 2 stages, which can be distinguished by the facades.

You can read more on the link https://www.oradeaheritage.ro/palatul-moskovits-adolf-si-fii/.

19. December 1st Park

From Union Square we follow the pedestrian street Vasile Alecsandri. It leads us to the former Great Square of Oradea, today December 1st Park. The park is flanked by Independence Street, Mihai Viteazul Street, December 1st Square and Dimitrie Cantemir Street. In the park there are the Statue of the Unknown Soldier, the House of Culture of the Syndicates and 2 fountains.

You can read more on the link https://www.oradeainimagini.ro/de-vizitat/zone-de-agrement/parcul-1-decembrie-fosta-piata-mare-a-orasului/.

20. Oradea Fortress

The address is Mihai Eminescu Street.

Open Tuesday - Sunday 9 am - 5 pm

We cross both the park and the boulevard towards the Episcopal Cathedral of Oradea, behind which hides another must-see of the city of Bihor, Oradea Citadel. The first building was erected in the 11th century. In the 17th century, the Prince of Transylvania Gabriel Bethlen built a palace with 5 towers in the corners of the fortress, in the shape of the fortress bastion wall. Oradea is one of the few bastioned fortresses in Romania. Around the fortress, which is surrounded by a defensive wall and has 2 access gates, there is a nice walking route.

In the citadel there is Princely Palace, which was continued and finished by Gheorghe Rakoczi I and II. It is built in Renaissance style.

You can read more on the link https://www.oradeaheritage.ro/cetatea-oradea/.

21. Oradea City Museum

It can be found in Oradea Citadel, at 39-41 Emanuil Gojdu Str.

Visiting hours: Tuesday - Sunday - 10 am - 6 pm

Within the Oradea Fortress there are museums, craft workshops and events are organized. The most important is Oradea City Museum.

The first documentary evidence of Oradea dates back to 1113. According to archaeological discoveries, however, the territory of Oradea was populated long before. The oldest evidence is from prehistoric, Bronze, Iron and Dacian times.

The museum is organized in 2 buildings. In building B is the archeopark, where are the ruins of the sanctuary of the church of St. Mary the Virgin Mary the Little, built in the 12th century. Oradea Museum is not only a history museum. Here we also discover the history of photography, the years of communism and one of the freedoms discovered after 1989 - the freedom to go to discos. All confessions found in Oradea are presented in the museum.

A dedicated article you can read on the link https://mytravel.express/obiective-mte/muzeul-orasului-oradea-bihor/.

Museum website https://mtariicrisurilor.ro/muzeul-orasului-oradea/.

22. Crișș Repede embankment / Dacia Bridge

We continue our walk on The banks of the Criș Repede to the Dacia Bridge. I liked this walking area. It gets dark in Oradea. The waterfront is illuminated. We reach Dacia Bridge to cross the Crișul Repede river once more.

23. Nymphaea Aquapark

The address is Strada Aleea Strandului 13B.

It is open daily from 10 am to 22 pm.

Nymphaea Aquapark is the largest water park in Oradea. Modern, gorgeous, civilized, it's worth relaxing here. We've done it many times. The park covers 7 hectares.

The aquapark website is https://aquapark-nymphaea.ro/.