Things to see and do West

From the first glance, this large paved and grassy square, surrounded by colourful buildings, seduces by its elegance. Entirely pedestrian, it is a popular meeting place: people come here to chat, play football, meet around the small circular fountain in the centre or have a drink at one of its many terraces. Union Square has been the scene of many important events for Banat. For example, it was here that the region's attachment to Romania was celebrated, hence its name. In the center stands the statue of the Holy Trinity (1740), which recalls the plague epidemic that devastated Timişoara. Created in Vienna, in the purest Baroque style, the statue was transported by river. It was renovated in 1995.

Piața Unirii is surrounded by many remarkable buildings, most of them of Baroque architecture, but also classical or eclectic: the Baroque Palace, which houses the Museum of Art, the Serbian Catholic and Orthodox Cathedrals, the Episcopal Palace. Note also the amazing Casa Brück, at No. 2, built in 1910 in the Art Nouveau style. Or, in a corner, at the very beginning of the rue Gheorghe Lazăr, a jewel of Art Nouveau architecture from 1908, with wavy shapes and glazed ceramic ornaments. The beautiful building is reminiscent of those designed by the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. A little further on, by taking the Augustin Pasha street, you will see at n° 6 the house "au Trompettiste", surmounted by a baroque bulb.

It's the city's landmark building. Of neo-Byzantine and neo-Romanesque inspiration, the Orthodox cathedral was built between 1936 and 1946 and can accommodate 5,000 standing worshippers. Its monumental appearance is impressive: 63 m long, 35 m wide, 80 m high. The ochre and yellow of the brick and the green and gold of the tiles form an elegant color combination. Its bells, each weighing 8 tonnes, were cast from rare metals from Sumatra and Borneo. Inside, the icons are superb. Some are on display in a basement museum.

It was built according to the plans of the Austrian architect Joseph Emanuel Fischer von Erlach (1693-1742). Begun in 1736, work was interrupted by the plague epidemic and the cathedral was not completed until 1774. In the shape of a cross, it mixes classical influences and baroque decorations. The two altars bring a rococo touch to the whole. In 1849, the building was severely damaged and the last restorations took place in 1981-1982. The arrangement of the vaults gives the place an excellent acoustics, suitable for organ concerts.

Just on the outskirts of the town, this open-air museum, created in 1971, exhibits typical 19th century farm buildings and houses, but also tools from all corners of Banat, as well as a farm and water and windmills. The complex, organised in accordance with the layout of the villages at the time, includes all the traditional institutions: town hall, school, church... To get there, take bus n° 46 from the Bastion station.

The city, one of the greenest in the country, has many of them. The oldest (19th century) is the park Petőfi Sándor, in which the Catholic Episcopal Palace is nestled. Very wooded, it is home to three giant sequoias. The former Rhedey Park was also divided in two in the 19th century: on the one hand the park Bălcescu, on the other hand the zoological garden. The Central Park, or Park 1 Decembrie, dates from the 1950s. By the river, the park Brătianu is the largest in the city. Another park surrounds the fortress, laid out in the old moat.

Near the village of Topleţ, in the south of the city by going to Orşova, the Sphinx (Sfinxul Bănăţean) is set, a curious rock formation reminiscent of that of the guardian of the Egyptian Pyramids.

A gigantic-year-old tree standing in front of the city's history museum.

Facing the Orthodox Cathedral, this lively, flowery square is lined with terraces. Note in the centre the replica of the famous statue of the Capitoline Wolf, donated by the city of Rome in 1926. The beautiful building housing the Theatre and Opera dates back to the 19th century, except for its neo-Byzantine façade, rebuilt after the fire of 1920. Victory Square is also the symbol of the revolution, of which it was the main stage. It was here that on 16 December 1989, thousands of demonstrators came to protest against the forced transfer of Pastor László Tőkés.

Near Moneasa, it is a remarkable cave for its stalactites and stalagmites of all sizes.

This is where its source is from the Ruisseau health centre.

15 km southwest of Arad, it is one of the oldest monasteries in all Romania, first mentioned in 1177 under the name of Hvdust. In the course of its eventful history, it was destroyed by the Tatars in 1241, rebuilt next to the old monastery at the end of the 13th and beginning of the 14th century. Heavily damaged during the Ottoman occupation, the place was gradually restored and then rebuilt in the 17th century with the addition of a Baroque style dome. The monastery has several icons (15th-18th century) and valuable manuscripts.

Located 4 km west of the city, stretching all the way to the Hungarian border, this remarkable natural area surrounding the Mureş is well worth a visit. Covering an area of 17,000 ha, it is home to over 200 species of bird. Its forests are made up of pedunculate oak, poplar, willow and ash. Points of interest include the Bezdin pond, famous for its water lilies, and the monastery of the same name. Cycling and canoeing are also available.

Along the road from Cluj to Oradea, then through the Pădurea Craiului mountains, the gorge forms a rich geological and fossil reserve, covering over 220 ha. It is also home to an abundance of wildlife and offers superb forest landscapes, made up of karst reliefs and steep cliffs. This is where the Criș Repede rises. Very accessible hikes are possible here, departing from Vadu Crișului and Șuncuiuș. They offer beautiful panoramic views.

Inside the Roman Hotel are the remains of Roman baths from the 2nd century, the only ones that were not destroyed in the wars between the Turks and Austro-Hungarians. You can admire a copy of a bas-relief depicting Hercules, a cup of thermal water in his hand. Legend has it that it was in the Cerna valley that the hero defeated the Hydra, after bathing in the beneficial waters of the spring that still feeds the station today. You will also see votive paintings, offered to the gods after healing.

You will find some agencies and information in major hotels.

Timişoara was one of the first cities in Romania to set up a tourist office. You will find all kinds of information: maps, data on the main tourist objectives of the city and its surroundings, a list of hotels and pensions, contact details of guides and agencies, transport timetables and practical publications to find out about cultural event programmes (concerts, etc.), such as the free bi-monthly Zile și Nopți The office also has a website, rich in information.

Along the Cerna River, this park enchants with its diversity of flora and with the landscapes created by the river that cuts its way through the limestone massif. A scientific reserve was created here in 1932 on an area of 61,211 hectares to study 1,051 plant species. Three types of habitats are represented: aquatic, terrestrial and underground. There are many caves and grottoes and a rich cave fauna.

This wide square on the left bank is surrounded by remarkable buildings, including the Black Eagle Palace(Vulturul Negru), a vast 1908 Secession complex with an asymmetrical façade. It is crossed by a covered passage decorated with floral friezes and a stained-glass eagle window. Also note the Moskovits Adolf Palace (1905), with its geometric motifs, on the corner of Rue Alecsandri. The town hall is neoclassical (1903). The superb Greek-Catholic Episcopal Palace, in Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo style (1905), suffered a serious fire in 2018.

It was developed from the ^18th century onwards, with the establishment of various factories. More popular than the center, but just as colorful, it's a true neighborhood. Its Poporului park is pleasant and lively. Nearby stands an imposing Secession-style synagogue dating from 1897. Further east, Piața Traian, surrounded by beautiful buildings, is the heart of the district. Piața Romanilor, more intimate, is the entry point to the Millenium Catholic Church (1896). A vast program to renovate the district is due to begin in 2024.

Located along the Cerna River, it covers an area of 61,121 ha. There are 1,051 plant species, including the endemic Turkish hazel and Banat black pine. there are 1,500 species of butterfly, as well as animal species such as the horned viper, wildcat, wolf and bear. Three types of habitat are represented: aquatic, terrestrial and underground. There are many caves and caverns, and a wealth of cave-dwelling fauna. It's a magnificent park, yet rarely visited. A variety of activities can be enjoyed here, including canyoning and rafting in the sublime Cerna valley. There's also plenty of scope for hiking, in a hilly landscape culminating at 1,105 m. There are a dozen signposted trails for all levels. You'll find a detailed map at the visitor center at the southern exit of Băile Herculane (strada Uzinei 9), which also features an exhibition on the park's natural riches. Below are the hikes we recommend.

Băile Herculane-Izvorul Munk-Foișorul Roșu-Băile Herculane (blue triangles): a 4 km walk accessible to all, offering beautiful views over the city.

Băile Herculane-Crucea Alba-Vârful Domogled Mare-Cheile Feregari-Băile Herculane (yellow markers): a beautiful 5-6h hike that takes you into the heart of the national park, with an ascent of 890 m. The path goes deep into the forest and offers superb views.

The Museum of the Crişana(muzeul Țării Crișurilor), the region of which Oradea is the main city, comprises several sections. The Natural Sciences section is renowned for its collection of eggs (over 14,000), from birds all over the world. The Museum of Archaeology and History features an interesting collection of ^19th-century photographs, as well as old maps and atlases. The ethnographic section displays ceramics, folk costumes, textiles, icons, painted eggs and wooden and metal objects.