Tourist Attractions & Monuments Romania

It was founded in 1365 by Bogdan I, the voivode who centralized the Moldovan state. Its church, dedicated to Saint Nicholas, is the oldest stone church in Moldova. Its form has remained unchanged over six centuries. The interior paintings still visible date from the 15th century. The building also houses the first princely necropolis in Moldova, containing the tombs of seven Moldavian princes, including the famous Bogdan. The creation of the monastery played a decisive role in the development of the locality. Today it is its main attraction.

This imposing monument surmounted by three towers was built around 1865 in a Byzantine style. It was the object of conflict and remained out of service for several years before Romanian Orthodox faithful took possession of the premises in 1887. It is from there that his interiors were fitted out: paintings, furniture, etc. Its bells, designed in Bavaria, are particularly melodious. The cathedral is surrounded by a beautiful garden with benches.

In this small town of 6,000 inhabitants, 10 kilometers from Paşcani and 61 from Iaşi, stands a curious all-white palace. Built in 1811 in neo-Gothic style, on the orders of a local high-ranking official, Săndulache Sturdza, it was home to the first reigning prince of the United Principalities, Alexandru Ion Cuza (1820-1873). In 1862, the prince bought the palace from the Sturdza official, and his wife took charge of furnishing it. Today, it's a museum dedicated to Cuza. The church, built in 1801, later became the palace chapel.

Built between 1784 and 1790, this Orthodox church known as "à la Lune"(biserica cu Lună) combines Baroque elements with neoclassical touches. At 55 m high, its bell tower dominates the square. Its interiors are well worth a visit, not least for their grandiose ^19th-century illuminated paintings. Installed on the façade in 1793, the astronomical clock features an ingenious mechanism: a large sphere, painted half black and half gold, follows the rotation of the moon around the Earth, representing the different phases of the star.

A symbol of the city, it was built on the orders of Empress Maria Theresa between 1763 and 1783, on the site of a ^16th-century Turkish fortress. Beneath the foundations of the citadel, an even older fort was unearthed, first mentioned in 1232. The six-branched, three-row fort was designed by Austrian military architect Ferdinand Philipp von Harsch. The building is a prohibited military zone. However, it is possible to wander around in the park and leisure area at the foot of the fortress.

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.

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.

It sits atop a wooded hill to the south of the town. The view from here is breathtaking. Built during the reign of Prince Gheorghe Duca, between 1669 and 1672, the monastery is a precious architectural landmark that has remained virtually unchanged since its construction. The church, with its slender silhouette, contains remarkable interior frescoes in the post-Byzantine style, dating from the ^17th century. It is surrounded by a large surrounding wall and includes numerous outbuildings, including a palace reserved for princes, who could take refuge here.

Your admission ticket includes two exhibitions. One dedicated to the History of Sighișoara, the other to the birth of the Dracula myth. The latter, created by four young brothers born in the town, allows visitors to learn more about the famous Vlad Țepeș. With bits of string and a lot of inventiveness, it plunges you into the life of Vlad the Impaler: the geopolitical context of the time, his childhood as an Ottoman hostage, his feats of arms, his acts of cruelty... An instructive experience that requires a good level of English.

While Bran Castle was returned to the descendants of King Ferdinand and Queen Marie in 2009, the Romanian state retained the furniture and objects (10,000 items!). A museum has been set up to display some of them, in a building not far from the castle. Take a look at the rich collection of furniture, carpets, icons, silverware, ceramics, etc. Different rooms have been reconstructed, according to function and style: the yellow salon, the neo-rococo salon, the boudoir, the king's bedroom and the queen's bedroom, and so on. Panels in English.

Not far from Aiud and Teiuș, in the pretty Geoagiu valley, this ^14th-century monastery, surrounded by the Trascău mountains, is worth a short detour, as much for the scenery as for the building itself. It takes its name from the spring of drinking water that gushes beneath the altar and is called the "source of healing". Healing or not, the precious interior frescoes had to be restored in the 1980s, and the church had to be raised by 2 m to protect them. 5 km further west lie the impressive Râmeț gorges, very narrow in places.

Built between 1307 and 1315 by Charles Robert of Anjou, King of Hungary, it was enlarged by Iancu of Hunedoara (Hunyadi) in the 15th century and served as a barracks in the 18th century. Damaged by earthquakes and battles, rebuilt several times, its current appearance dates back to 1856. The castle houses the Banat Museum, which traces the history of the region. It also includes a natural sciences section. But it has been closed for several years for renovation, with no known reopening date at the time of closure. Temporary exhibitions are organized at the Theresia bastion.

The Orthodox church of Feleacu has a singular appearance: it is Gothic in style (especially its vaults and portal) and almost entirely white. Inside it has wall paintings and icons from the 18th century. Built in 1516, it was completely restored in 1925 and has been listed as a historic monument since 2010. The adjoining monastery is also worth a visit, with its impressive architecture and beautiful paintings and gilding inside.

The imposing Armenian Church of the Holy Trinity(Sfânta Treime) was built between 1748 and 1804, at a time when Gherla was one of the most important centers of the Armenian community in Eastern Europe. All white, in Transylvanian Baroque style, with three towers, it houses ^14th-century gospels, including one written in Cyprus in 1316. Also on display is a painting attributed to Rubens, The Descent from the Cross. The high altar and secondary altars are decorated with typically Baroque paintings and statues.

The citadel of Deva is considered one of the most important medieval fortresses in Transylvania. Situated atop a volcanic cone over 180 m high, it dominates the town and the Mureș valley, as well as the main road linking Romania to western and central Europe. It was built around the middle of the ^13th century, on the ruins of Daco-Roman fortifications. Traces of human occupation dating back to the Neolithic period have even been found on the site. The citadel has been restored and reconfigured over time, according to the needs of its owners. In the ^15th century, the voivode Iancu de Hunedoara (János Hunyadi) transformed it into a fortified castle, which played a major role during the Ottoman invasions. In the ^16th and ^18th centuries, the second and third perimeter walls were built. During the Transylvanian Revolution of 1784, the fortress served as a refuge for nobles fleeing the uprising campaigns. Fierce battles ensued between the imperial garrison and the rebels. The citadel was restored after 1817, by order of Emperor Franz ^I. But in 1849, a fire caused by the explosion of the ammunition depot largely destroyed the imposing structure. Today, thanks to extensive restoration work, it is possible to get an idea of the past grandeur of the city of Deva.

It can be reached either by cable car, or on foot via marked paths through the woods on the slopes of the hill. The view from the top is extraordinary.

Built by the Dominicans in the 13th century, following Gothic plans, its present appearance dates from the alterations carried out at the beginning of the 16th century. When the Saxons converted to Lutheranism in 1556, they made it their cathedral. Damaged in the fire of 1676, it underwent further modifications, including the addition of two buttresses. The frame of the decorated stone main door is typical of the Transylvanian Renaissance style. The interior, with its 16th century oriental carpets and Baroque altar, is particularly dark and overcrowded.

The center is dotted with numerous churches for the various religious communities. These include the Reformed Church (1781), which stands between the two central squares. To the west of piața Primăriei stands a Franciscan church, Baroque in style, with a façade flanked by two towers. Dating from the 18th^century , it is the oldest religious building on the square. It is adjoined by a Franciscan monastery. The Catholic church of Sfântul Nicolae (1793) stands on the hill of the same name, just south of the town, at the entrance to an attractive wooded cemetery.

This fortified castle, the town's oldest building, was erected in 1621, burnt down during the Tatar invasions of 1661 and rebuilt in 1716. Its role was both defensive and political (seat of the Sicilian Country). Today, it houses a museum with historical, folkloric and artistic collections relating to the region and reflecting its cultural particularities. Behind the castle, you can see the reconstruction of two traditional houses.

Fifteen kilometers south-west of Odorheiu Secuiesc, the small village of Dârjiu(Székelyderzs in Hungarian) is home to a beautiful fortified church, listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1999. It's one of the few examples of a Saxon-style fortified church in Sicily. The complex has benefited from an extensive renovation program. Once you've collected your keys from the reverend, you'll be taken on a tour of the surrounding walls and storage areas... The bastions were long used as a larder by the villagers, who came here to stock up on meat, sausages and smoked bacon. Hence its nickname "the fortress of bacon". Every Wednesday, the enclosure was opened to allow villagers to come and stock up. Inside the Gothic church, built in the early ^15th century and remodeled in late Gothic style at the end of the ^16th century, you'll admire beautiful ^15th-century frescoes and attractive wooden furniture painted with traditional motifs on a light blue background. You'll also see a brick bearing the Sicilian runic script, dated between 1274 and 1431. Today, the church is dedicated to Unitarian (Protestant) worship.

Guided tours are offered in July and August. Every Wednesday, it's also possible to take part in the "bacon ceremony", followed by a traditional meal held inside a bastion. Call a few days in advance to make your reservation.

It was erected in 1921-1922 to celebrate the coronation of King Ferdinand and Queen Marie, sovereigns of a united Greater Romania, on October 15, 1922. Nicknamed the "Coronation Cathedral", it stands at the western entrance to the citadel. In traditional Romanian style, it follows the Greek cross plan, with an open porch supported by strong columns. The interior murals, in neo-Byzantine style, are by Costin Petrescu. You'll also see portraits of Michael the Brave (Mihai Viteazul) and his wife, Princess Stanca.

It is in this 16th century monastery that the craze for icons on glass was born. Practiced here since the 12th century, the activity developed strongly from 1699: that year, according to legend, tears flowed from the icon of the Virgin Mary for twenty-six days. It can be seen inside the Sfântul Ioan church Botezătorul (1879). The monastery also includes a wooden church dating from 1701 and a museum exhibiting many icons from different periods. On August 15, a crowd of pilgrims converges on this monastery and its famous icon.

This place of worship has had an eventful history over the centuries. Originally, it was the first Catholic church in Cluj. It was destroyed during the first Tatar invasion in 1241, replaced by a Romanesque church and rebuilt in Gothic style in the ^15th century. The monastery was then built by the Dominicans. The site was no longer used for religious purposes from 1556 to 1609, when it fell into the hands of the Calvinists. In 1728, the Franciscans recovered the building and launched a campaign to restore the bell tower, in a Baroque architectural style. The church then suffered the consequences of Romania's political climate: it was confiscated in 1949, when the Communist authorities decided to dissolve the Franciscan order in Romania. For many years, the building housed a music school, until 1990, the year that marked the end of the church's special history. It then became the property of the Roman Catholic Church and the Franciscan order, along with part of the monastery.

The building was restored in the 1970s and 1980s, during two periods of renovation. An attractive inner courtyard separates the church from the monastery. The monastery also houses an important Franciscan library, with a collection of over a thousand volumes. Finally, in the square in front of the building stands an obelisk, said to have been erected after the visit of Austrian Emperor Francis ^I and his wife, Caroline.

Along the narrow rue Mihail Kogălniceanu you will notice the beautiful stones of the central reformed church, nicknamed the reformed church of the rue des Loups. Built in 1486 by order of Mathias Corvin, then King of Hungary, it houses organs reputed to be among the best in Europe. Its portal is guarded by a replica of one of the oldest Renaissance statues (14th century), Saint George Slaying the Dragon, the work of two local sculptors. The original is now in Prague, opposite the palace Hradčany.

This beautiful Reformed church, with its bell tower emblematic of the region, was built in the ^13th century. Destroyed by fire in the ^19th century, it was partially rebuilt, retaining its tower, built in 1762. One of its bells, on display in the surrounding garden, dates back to 1481. The interiors are quite sober, but very harmonious, adorned with beautiful white and red Hungarian embroidery. Note also the superb coffered vaults, painted with traditional local motifs and magnificently restored in 1994.

This superb, vast castle, built between 1438 and 1543, belonged to the Bánffy family, one of Transylvania's most important noble families. Originally built in the Renaissance style, it was later extensively modified to become a pearl of Baroque architecture. Nicknamed the "Versailles of Transylvania", it was considered the most beautiful in Transylvania at the time. It remained so until the end of the Second World War: requisitioned by the Germans in 1944, it was ravaged by a terrible fire as they retreated. The fire spared only the walls and a few Baroque statues. Communism didn't help matters: like many other Transylvanian castles, the building was deliberately abandoned and vandalized. It wasn't until 1999 that restoration work began, with the help of international funds and the support of Prince Charles of England, who visited the site and fell in love with it. Today, as the site is gradually restored, training programs in the conservation of historic buildings are organized for craftsmen. Artists are welcomed in residence, and a cultural café has been set up in the former kitchens. The park has become a popular place for picnics and relaxation. Bánffy Castle also hosts major cultural events, such as the popular Electric Castle music festival, which takes place every year in mid-July.

The Alba Iulia citadel was built between 1714 and 1738 by the Habsburgs, who dominated Transylvania at the time. Baroque in style, it covers an area of 70 ha and features seven bastions. The citadel, with its Vauban-style star-shaped defensive system, is very isolated from the city and therefore not very lively. Crossed from east to west by strada Mihai Viteazul, it is nevertheless pleasant, airy and full of flowers. The cloister and cathedral are superb. Also worth a visit is the small wooden Orthodox church (Trinity Church), at the end of the road on the right as you exit to the east. The panorama of the city and surrounding area (including a highly visible factory painted blue and yellow) is very attractive.

Its walls, 12 km long in all, are pierced by three large gates. The first, at the bottom of the mountain, is shaped like a classical triumphal arch. The upper level is richly sculpted in Baroque style. In the center is a pedestal featuring the imperial coat of arms of the House of Austria: a double-headed eagle bearing a sword and scepter. Little remains of the second door, which was blocked up in the early ^20th century. Only two stone pillars remain, while the sculptures that once adorned the building can now be seen at the Union National Museum. The third door is the most impressive, both in terms of size and ornamentation. It is shaped like a double triumphal arch. Four pillars support the arch that surmounts the three entrances.

Strategically located to dominate the city and the northern plains, the citadel(cetatea) was part of Braşov's fortification plan, after that of Mount Tâmpa had been abandoned. Modified and remodeled many times over the centuries, the citadel lost its defensive role in the ^19th century, serving in turn as a prison, a military barracks and a repository for state archives under Communism. It was extensively restored in the 1980s. You can't visit the interior, but the view over the city is sumptuous.

In the ^19th century, Romanian Orthodox were not allowed to build overly visible religious edifices within the city walls. That's why the Church of the Assumption, built in 1896, is located in a courtyard behind the parish house: to reach it, you have to cross a long porch, which passes under the house. A faithful copy of the Greek church in Vienna, its frescoes and decorations are impressive. Major renovation work was carried out in 1972.

Before 1781, the Orthodox were not allowed to build places of worship within the city walls. At the end of the ^18th century, however, they were allowed to erect a discreet church without a steeple. Occupying two former Saxon houses, the Church of the Holy Trinity(Sfânta Treime), invisible from the street, is characterized by its rich ornamentation, beautiful icons and precious collection of religious objects. It was used by the Greek community.

This baroque church was built between 1776 and 1782 with the support of Empress Maria Theresa. It was built on the site of a 14th century church erected by the Dominicans, which was abandoned after the Lutheran Reformation. Inside, the walls are richly decorated with stucco. The stained-glass windows were made at the end of the 19th century in the workshop of the master József Palka in Budapest. It is the only building in the city that is entirely Baroque in style.

20 km east of Avrig, not far from the banks of the Olt river, the monastery of Cârța was built in the early ^13th century by Cistercian monks. Ravaged in 1241 by the Tatars, it was rebuilt, then abandoned in the ^15th century on the orders of King Mathias Corvin, in the face of the Ottoman threat. Only the choir of the abbey church (transformed in the ^18th century), the entrance tower and the ruins of the monastery itself remain of the complex, which is Gothic in style with Romanesque remains. Today, the abbey church is used by the Saxon Lutheran community.

Near Snagov, on the shores of Lake Căldărușani, this monastery was built by Prince Matei Basarab in the ^17th century. It notably housed music and painting schools, where Nicolae Grigorescu, the famous Romanian painter, studied between 1854 and 1855. Inside, the collection of religious objects includes icons from the ^18th century and others painted by Grigorescu. Access is difficult without a car. From Bucharest, take the Ploiești road, turn right at Balotești and then left towards Lipia; from Snagov, follow road 101C past Lipia.

It escaped destruction under Communism, but like the Antim monastery on the other side of Unirii boulevard, it's been squeezed between blocks of flats. Built by Matei Basarab in 1636, it was embellished by Cantacuzino in 1775. The door is protected by a porch, whose six columns are beautifully decorated with plant motifs. Inside, you'll see numerous portraits: Matei Basarab, Ștefan and Constantin Cantacuzino, Princess Păuna..

The church is named after and houses the tomb of Constantin Brâncoveanu's daughter, who died in 1751. Built in 1885, it is the fourth version, the previous three having suffered fire, flood and earthquake. Its brick and orange colors stand out beautifully against the gray buildings that surround it. The stained-glass windows from Vienna and the chandelier made in Munich are remarkable. In the courtyard is a statue dedicated to the princess, made in 1881.

It is a beautiful church, the remains of a 16th century monastery founded by the Wallachian prince Alexandru II. It is flowery, colourful and well maintained. It is a quiet and restful place, a stone's throw from the wide and noisy boulevards. The chapel is superb, with its interior walls, domes and ceilings entirely covered with polychrome paintings, highlighted by beautiful green columns. This can be reached by driving along the Dâmbovița, from Piața Unirii, and turning right at Bucur Church.

This tiny church perched above the Dâmbovița is wedged between a concrete block and a glass building. It was erected in the ^17th century by monks from the nearby Radu Vodă monastery, on the site of an older church whose construction is attributed to Bucur the Shepherd(Bucur Ciobanul), the legendary founder of Bucharest. Anecdotally, bucur means "joy", making Bucharest the "city of joy". The small hill has been beautifully landscaped, with arbors, flowers and benches making for a very pleasant setting.

This elegant brick church was built in 1915, when the capital's Italian community, then numbering some 7,000 people, decided to build their own place of worship. Architects Mario Stoppa and Giuseppe Tiraboschi drew up the plans. Inspired by the Lombard style, the building blends Romanesque, Gothic and Art Deco elements. Outside, on the balcony of the adjoining parish house, you'll notice the beautiful floral frescoes. Today, the church is not really showcased, enclosed between concrete blocks.

It lies at the heart of the quiet and pleasant Amzei district, which links calea Victoriei to boulevard Magheru. Not far away are the French Embassy and one of the city's prettiest markets. The Amzei church dates from 1901 and is characterized by its eclectic style, a blend of French academicism and neo-Byzantine style, with its exterior walls alternating ochre brick and rendered stone. The façade is richly decorated, adorned with beautiful carved stone friezes. Inside, you can admire a beautiful carved oak iconostasis.

The Church of the Icon(biserica Icoanei) is located near the park of the same name. It dates from the ^19th century and owes its name to one of its icons: a ^17th-century representation of the Virgin Mary, donated by the Wallachian prince Constantin Brâncoveanu. The white exterior is finely sculpted in places. The interiors are dazzling: the walls are covered with frescoes and gilding is omnipresent. Set back from the main boulevards, the district, characterized by a pleasant lack of architectural harmony, is full of charm.

Built at the very beginning of the 20th century, it dominates the northern tip of the park Cişmigiu. It impresses with its eclectic elegance, blending French Renaissance styles with Baroque influences, with a richly ornamented facade topped by a crenellated roof. The palace, built for Elena Crețulescu (or Kretzulescu), was designed by the architect Petre Antonescu, to whom we also owe the Arc de Triomphe bucarestois. Riddled with debts, the owner sold the building to the town hall in the 1920s. Since 1972, it has housed Unesco services.

At the junction of two boulevards, this church, which looks like an Ionic temple, does not go unnoticed. It's right next to the Greek Embassy. The two buildings were built at the end of the 19th century, as a result of the efforts of the Greek community and its diplomats. The church was recently renovated, hence its very bright façade. In the front garden there is a bust of Rigas Velestinlis, an 18th century Greek writer, who lived in Bucharest for a time. A national hero, he defended the independence of the Balkan peoples under the Ottomans.

Located in the former Princely Court(Curtea veche), the Church of St. Anthony the Great, also known as the Church of Good News(Buna Vestire), was built in 1545-1554 by Prince Mircea the Shepherd, who is depicted in the frescoes. It has been fairly well restored over the centuries, despite the many damages it has suffered: fires, invasions and earthquakes. You'll notice the elegance and originality of its exterior facade, an alternation of exposed brick and roughcast.

The Church of the Princess(Biserica Doamnei) was built in 1683 by Princess Maria, the wife of the Wallachian prince Șerban Cantacuzino. With its entrance adorned with rich floral decoration, this rectangular edifice heralds the Brâncovenesc style, while retaining the characteristics of the more austere style that prevailed during the reign of Matei Basarab. It is one of those churches that communism hid, literally hemmed in by buildings. Invisible from Calea Victoriei, you have to pass under a porch next to the Pizza Hut restaurant to reach it.

The St. Nicholas Student Church(biserica studenților Sfântul Nicolae) was built between 1905 and 1909, on the initiative of the Russian ambassador of the time. With its golden bulbs, it has the look of a Russian Orthodox church. Seen from Piaţa Universităţii, it is very photogenic. Its iconostasis, the work of Moscow artists, was modelled on that of the Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul in the Kremlin. Today, it serves as a chapel for students.

Housed in an ^18th-century mansion, it showcases the treasures of local folklore and craftsmanship: tools, carpets, sculptures, icons... The exhibition, though modestly presented, aptly reflects the diverse facets of Maramureş, a deeply rural region where traditions remain fully alive. One section is dedicated to the masks and costumes used for "Viflaim", a popular performance with a religious dimension, performed on the occasion of the end-of-year festivities in Maramureș. Definitely worth a look!

Just north of Budești, this village of 700 inhabitants, which stretches along the Cosău River, is full of charm. It boasts two beautiful ^17th-century wooden churches. A must-see is the Folk Technical Architecture Complex, at no. 181: this ingenious peasant installation, still in use, uses the river's power to wash textiles, grind grain or distill țuică. You can also visit the workshop of illustrious local craftsman Vasile Borodi (no. 180), who makes traditional hats(clop).

This lively and colorful park, located in the old town center, is a popular place to cool off in summer. Children flock to play in an area devoted entirely to them, while chess players compete in frenzied games. While following these scenes of life, you can contemplate the buildings that surround the park, such as the post office and the town hall. You can also visit a number of nearby monuments, such as the citadel.

Subjected to numerous enemy attacks and incursions, the town's inhabitants decided to build truly effective fortifications. From the ^14th to the ^17th century, stone walls were gradually erected all around Brașov (3 km long, 12 m high), along with watchtowers and gates, making it one of the most fortified cities in Transylvania. The best way to appreciate this defensive system is to visit the best-preserved of these bastions, the Weavers' Bastion(Țesătorilor), built in 1436. In its wood-panelled galleries, you can visit a museum, where a huge 1896 model depicts the Brașov of the 1600s. Among the other visible remains, Poarta Ecaterinei, from 1559, once the town's main entrance, is the only gate that has survived the tests of time. Poarta Schei, at the end of the street of the same name, was built much later, in 1827. To the west of the old town, along Strada După Ziduri (the "Street Outside the Walls"), at the foot of Warthe Hill, the Black Tower(Turnul negru) and the White Tower(Turnul alb) served as observation posts. Not far away is the Graft bastion, which served as a bridge over the stream and can also be visited. The construction of the fortifications was financed by the Saxon trade guilds, and the bastions were named after one of them:Postăvarilor,Fierarilor orFunarilor, from which the cable car to Tâmpa departs.

This small, densely forested mountain dominates the old town at an altitude of 960 metres. A cable car at the foot of the ramparts climbs to the top every 15 minutes. You can also climb to the top via a footpath from the same point (approx. 1h walk). The view from the top is exceptional: the city is at your feet and you can see the different stages of its construction (medieval city, Șchei, modern city), with the majestic Carpathian Mountains as a backdrop. Until the ^15th century, the hilltop was home to the citadel.

Bounded on one side by the Franciscan church and on the other by the National Museum of Transylvanian History, from which it takes its name, "Museum Square" is the city's oldest square. Particularly pleasant on sunny days, when the cafés spread their terraces around the small Caroline obelisk, it's an ideal starting point for strolling through the narrow streets of the historic center, but also the perfect place to take a break, as the "Petite Place" (its former name) seems protected from the hustle and bustle of the city. A place full of history and life.