Church with Moon Oradea, Bihor

Unique mechanism of the moon

Where, when and how much?

The Church with the Moon Oradea is located in Piața Unirii 2. Access is free. The church is open daily from 8am – 8pm.

About the Moon Church

The Church with the Moon is in fact the Orthodox cathedral of Oradea. The church is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It was built between 1784 and 1790. It is a historical monument. The architectural style is late Austrian Baroque. The designer was Éder Jakob according to the plaque on the church, or Edner Jacob according to the wiki. The sphere mechanism, which marks the position of the moon, was built by George Rueppe in 1793. The consecration of the cathedral took place in 1832, after completion of the interior decorations. The Moon Church became a cathedral in 1920. The Romanian bishop Roman Ciorogariu is buried in the Church with the Moon and his statue is located in front of the church.

1. Moon mechanism and exterior

The cathedral is preserved in its original 18th century form. The silhouette of the church in one of the corners of the Unirii Square attracts you even from a distance and urges you to approach it. The dominant architectural style is late Baroque with elements of Byzantine art.

The mechanism that moves the moon is unique in Europe. The moon, half gold, half black, is operated by a mechanism designed and made by Georg Rueppe in 1793, which indicates the phases of the moon. It is located in the cathedral tower.

the moon

statue of bishop Ciorogariu

The Church with the Moon

the moon

2. The Interior

You enter through the pronaos, as in all Orthodox churches. The nave is impressive and ends opposite the altar. In the arch between the nave and the altar is the medallion portrait of Horea which completes the iconostasis. The bishop’s chair and pulpit are richly carved. In the nave are the tombs of Bishop Roman Ciorogariu and Bishop Nicolae Popovici.