Union Museum, Alba Iulia, Alba

1. Prehistoric period

The permanent exhibition presents a section dedicated to prehistory, more specifically to the evolution of successive cultures in Transylvania between the 6th and 1st millennium BC. On display are objects from the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages, found in settlements in Alba County. Among the most important pieces are the pottery from Petrești, the zoomorphic stone scepter from Vințu de Jos and the bronze hoard from Ighiel. A bronze pendant in the shape of a horse, a prehistoric work of art, was found at Teleac.

2. La Téne period

The La Tène period, which stretches from the 4th century B.C. to 106 A.D., is represented by the Geto-Dacian culture. The exhibits, which come mainly from the fortified settlements of Căpâlna, Cugir and Craiva, the Dacian Apoulonul, testify both to the unitary character of the material and spiritual civilization of the Dacians, and to their receptivity to the significant influences of the Greco-Roman world. Of particular importance are the silver hoard found at Lupu, the situla from the princely tomb at Cugir and the bronze bracelet from Apoulon depicting the face of Gorgonei, as well as the group of exhibits depicting the typical walls of a Dacian fortress, built of stones that were dislocated from the "cradle" of the Apulans.

3. Roman rule

The history of Roman rule over Dacia is exemplified by objects found in the city of Apulum, known as a descendant of Dacian Apoulon, which was transformed into a municipium and later a colony, and which hosted the camp of the 13th Gemina Legion. The bas-relief representing the Lupa Capitolina and the statue of Liber Pater stand out among these as two outstanding works of art.

4. Migration period

The period of migrations is reserved for a generous exhibition area, which allows a good illustration of the main events in the history of the Romanian people for over a thousand years: the adoption of Christianity and the preservation of relations with the Romano-Byzantine world, the essential features of the indigenous civilization and various foreign elements, the local functioning of the political center of Balgrad.

5. The Middle Ages

Besides its socio-economic particularities, the history of medieval Transylvania, as well as of all Romanians, was guided by two main objectives: the peaceful coexistence of various ethnic groups and the prevention of Ottoman expansion into the rest of Europe. While the former facilitated rapprochement with Western values, the latter offered a relative political freedom, which was not at all necessary for any kind of development. Moreover, this second objective required an ever closer alliance of the Romanian states along the Carpathian Mountains: Walla Wallachia and Moldavia, to which was added the Principality of Transylvania with Alba Iulia as its capital in the mid-16th century.

6. The Union of Alba Iulia in 1600

Mihai Viteazul was the voivode who realized between 1599 and 1600 the first union of the three Romanian principalities: Walla Wallachia, Transylvania and Moldavia.

7. Alba Iulia - printing center

The museum also highlights Alba Iulia's role as a printing center. It was here that the first complete Romanian version of the New Testament was published in 1648, with the support of the Orthodox Metropolitan of Transylvania. Later, Blajul took over the role of spiritual center of the Transylvanian Romanians, thanks to its schools and printing works.
The first complete Romanian version of the New Testament was published in Alba Iulia in 1648.

8. Modern Age

Transylvania came under Habsburg rule in the late 17th century.
The fortifications were rebuilt to the standards of the French general Vauban, increasing the importance of the town.
The 1784 uprising, led by Horea, Cloșca and Crișan, follows.
Another Transylvanian hero mentioned is Avram Iancu, called the "prince" of the Apuseni Mountains.

9. The 1859 Union and the 1877 War of Independence

The Proclamation of Union in 1859 and the gaining of independence after the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 contributed to Romania's growing international role. These events fueled Romania's aspiration to become a unitary state and the hopes for unification of Romanians beyond its borders.

10. The Great Union of December 1, 1918 and the Coronation

On December 1, 1918, the Great National Assembly of Alba Iulia voted to unite Transylvania, Banat, Crișana and Maramureș with the Kingdom of Romania.
Documents and photos from the event are evidence of the enthusiasm with which the unification of Transylvania with Romania was achieved.

Alba Iulia was chosen as the site of the coronation of King Ferdinand I and Queen Maria in October 1922.