Things to see and do Arad

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.

This elegant and colourful square is located at the southern end of the Revoluției boulevard, along which the city centre is organized. It is surrounded by beautiful buildings and the surrounding streets are charming. This area concentrates the major part of the tourist curiosities. The statue in the centre of the square is called "de la Liberté". To the north, piața Avram Iancu is bordered by the Classical Theatre, which turns its back on him. Built in 1874, it has a six-column facade overlooking the boulevard Revoluției. Not far away, on the same boulevard, stands the imposing Catholic church, whose entrance is framed by four massive columns. The boulevard stretches for almost a mile. At the far end, at the northern end, you will find the new Orthodox Cathedral, built from 1991.

On the south side of the square, stands the house with the Padlock (Casa cu Lacăt), on the charming little Plevnei square: look at the corner of the building, you will understand... You will also see the neologic synagogue of Arad, from 1834. Moorish style inside, it is housed in a building with classical facades. The entrance is by strada Tribunul Dobra (No. 10). Even further south, in what used to be called Old Arad (or the Serbian town), is the Serbian church Sfânții Petru și Pavel (piața Sârbească 1), built in 1696 in the purest Baroque style.

To the west of piața Avram Iancu, taking Vasile Street Goldiș, you will come across the former Orthodox Cathedral (1865), with its beautiful frescoes. She's facing one of the city's markets.

It's hard not to notice this major building, which has stood at the heart of the central boulevard since 1876. Built according to the plans of the architect Ferenc Pekár, the administrative palace has a Flemish neo-Renaissance style. Its clock tower, 54 m high, is reminiscent of Flemish town halls. In the entrance hall, the imposing red marble-covered staircase, leading to a beautiful village hall, features beautiful stained glass windows on the theme of the seasons. Just next door, at no. 73, is the Cenad Palace (19th century), in an eclectic style.

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.

This building, inaugurated in 1913, features a neoclassical façade with Corinthian columns supporting a pediment. The side wings feature Italian Renaissance elements. Inside, a superb marble hall leads to the concert hall. The palace in fact houses the philharmonic, as well as several sections of the județ museum: history (under renovation), natural sciences and the picture gallery. The history museum includes a room dedicated to the 1989 revolution in Arad, illustrated with numerous photos.

Located behind the town hall, the main park hugs the outside of the Mureș curve. A pedestrian bridge takes you to the area around the citadel, which features several leisure facilities, including a gigantic swimming pool, sports fields, restaurants and bars. On the other side of the Palace of Culture is the Children's Park(parcul Copiilor) with games for young and old alike: this is where chess and rummy enthusiasts meet in a specially landscaped area.