ORADEA

Oradea General Information

Fast Facts

Oradea Info

Located just 8 miles from the Hungarian border and spanning both shores of the Crisu Repede River, the elegant city of Oradea is a great starting point for exploring Romania.

First documented in 1113, under the Latin name Varadinum, the city was administered at various times by the Principality of Transylvania, the Ottoman Empire, and the Habsburg Monarchy.
In 1598, the Oradea fortress was besieged and, on August 27, 1660, it fell to the Ottoman raids, only to be seized in 1692 by the Austrians.

Until the construction of flood-banks along the length of the Crisu Repede River, Oradea was facing constant flooding threats.
In 1836 a large part of the town was destroyed by fire. The picturesque town of present-day Oradea was rebuilt in the 18th century to the plans of Viennese engineer Franz Anton Hillebrandt following the then-trendy Austrian architectural style called Secession with its richly decorated facades of pale pink, blue, green and white. In addition to the many Baroque buildings, Oradea is remarkable for its particularly rich collection of Art Nouveau architecture.

Oradea University, one of the largest in Eastern Europe, is an excellent educational center in literature, as well as in medicine and sciences.

Sights and Landmarks

The town is crossed by the main road linking the Hungarian border with Cluj Napoca and Deva.
On opposite sides of the Crisu Repede River are the Union Square (Piata Unirii) and King Fedinand Square (Piata Regele Ferdinand), off which runs strada Republicii, a central pedestrian-only shopping street in Oradea, displaying an incredible number of Secession buildings.
In the summertime, the café terraces lining the banks of the Crisu Repede afford some great views of the town's lavish landmarks.

The Bishop's Palace (Palatul Episcopal), one of Oradea's most splendid edifices, was modeled on drawings by Italian architect Giovanni Battista Ricca and completed in 1770 by Austrian architect Franz Anton Hillerbrandt. Today the three-story, U-shaped mansion featuring 100 fresco-adorned rooms, 365 windows, and a facade punctuated with ionic capitals is home to the Museum of the Crisana Region (Muzeul Tarii Crisurilor).

The Roman Catholic Cathedral (Catedrala Romano-Catolica) in Oradea, built between 1752 and 1780, is Romania's largest Baroque religious edifice. Drawing on plans for the Church of the Gesu in Roma, the cathedral forms part of the architectural ensemble that Hillerbrandt designed, which includes the Bishop's Palace.

The Black Eagle Palace (Palatul Vulturul Negru), located in Piata Unirii, was built between 1907 and 1909 by Hungarian architects Marcell Komor and DezsoJakab. A glass-roofed art nouveau shopping arcade (Pasajul Vulturul Negru) runs through the two main buildings of the palace. Inside you will find shops, a four-star hotel, cafes and a cinema.

The late Baroque Church of the Moon (Biserica cu Luna), was completed in 1790. The clock mechanism, installed in 1793, features a half-gold, half-black sphere, maintained in perpetual motion, reproducing the phases of the moon and lending the church its name.

The The Greek Catholic Bishopric Palace, located opposite the Church of the Moon, was designed by local architect Kalman Rimanoczy Jr. Built in 1903, the edifice features a sophisticated eclectic combination of decorative elements: Neo-Romanesque, Neo- Gothic, Neoclassical and Neo-Byzantine.

The robust, asymmetrical, City Hall (Primaria) was designed, in 1903, by architect Kalman Rimanoczy Jr. as well.
The building features a 170 feet-tall tower with four clocks – one on each of its sides - and three observation decks.
Local watchmaker Mezey Dezső built the main mechanism of the clocks, called the "mother clock", in 1904.
At the top of the hour the clock plays a fragment from Iancu’s March (Marsul lui Iancu), a 1849 revolutionary song.
Oradea City Hall Tower is open to visitors Tuesday through Sunday.

Piata Unirii (Union Square or the Little Square), took shape at the beginning of the 18th century when the areas became the centre of Oradea New Town. Beginning with 1753, the square underwent a series of transformations: monumental buildings in various architectural styles were erected, street lighting was introduced and the city’s first tram line – connecting the area with the railway station – was built. Seven architectural styles: Baroque, Classical, Eclectic, Historicist, Secession, Romantic and neo- Romanian can be admired while visiting Oradea’s most popular promenade area: the Union Square.

The State Theater (Teatrul de Stat), a neoclassical structure that dominates the King Ferdinand Square (Piata Regele Fedinand), was designed in 1900 by Austrian architects Fellner and Hellmer, who also designed the Vienna Opera House.

Along one side of the King Ferdinand Square visitors can admire the undulating festoons and floral decorations of the Adorjan Houses (Casele Adorjan), built between 1907 and 1908 by Jakab and Komor, architects of the Black Eagle Palace.

Another exuberant art nouveau structure is the Moskovits building (Cladirea Moskovits), located at the corner of str. Independentei and str. Vasile Alecsandri. Designed by Kalman Rimanoczy Jr, the architect of the City Library and the Town Hall, it was completed in 1905.

Oradea's most imposing sight is the spectacular Oradea Fortress (Cetatea Oradea).
The present shape of the five-point-star fortress was given in 1569, when Italian military architect Domenico da Bologna was commissioned with rebuilding it after repeated invader attacks.
One of its interesting elements is a network of underground channels that were supplied by ducts of warm water during the winter.
Throughout the year the citadel is host to several art exhibitions and craft fairs.

Oradea Jewish Heritage

The first Jews settled in Oradea as early as the 15th century, making Oradea the site of one of the oldest and most important Jewish communities. Jewish people helped establish the city's chemical and milling industries as well as its transportation, communications and banking infrastructure. They also played important roles in the medical, academic and artistic institutions. By the 1940s, Oradea had 27 synagogues and a population of around 30,000 Jews. Annexed by Hungary during World War II, Oradea became the site of two ghettos, with the majority of the members deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Oradea has two large Neolog and Orthodox Jewish cemeteries.

Zion Synagogue
Address: Str. Independentei 22, Oradea
A grandiose Neolog temple, it was designed by David Busch, the town's chief municipal architect at the time, and constructed in 1878.
Oradea Zion Synagogue more info

Great Temple
Address: Str. Mihai Viteazu 4, Oradea
The Moorish-style red brick and stucco design of this synagogue, built in 1890, is similar to that of the synagogue in Satu Mare.
Oradea Great Temple more info

Chevra Sas Synagogue
Address: Str. Crinului 2, Oradea
The smaller Sas Synagogue built in 1882, still serves the local Jewish community, which currently numbers around 500 members and is one of the most active in the country.

Nearby is the 1920s
Teleki Synagogue, the last to be built in Oradea
Address: Str. Tudor Vladimirescu 18

Oradea Jewish Community
Address: Str. Mihai Viteazul 4
Telephone: (+4) 0259 434.843
www.OradeaJC.com

Oradea Museums

Museum of Crisana Region
Muzeul Tarii Crisurilor
Address: Blvd. Dacia 1 - 3
Tel: (+4) 0259 412.724
Website
Hours:
Tue. – Sun.: 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Darvas – La Roche House
An exquisite Art Nouveau monument inspired directly by Viennese art.
Address: Str. Iosif Vulcan 11, Oradea
Open:
Tue. – Sun.: noon – 7 p.m.

Treasury and Library of Roman - Catholic Diocese
Episcopia Romano - Catolica Oradea
Address: Sirul Canonicilor 2, Oradea
Telephone: (+4) 0259 411.180
Website

10,000 books printed before 1800 and an impressive collection of objects of worship are exhibited in the museum of Oradea Catholic Diocese.

Ady Endre Museum
Address: Parcul Traian 1
Tel: (+4) 0259 463.755
More Info

Iosif Vulcan Museum
Address: Str. Iosif Vulcan 14
Tel: (+4) 0259 463.755
Open:
Tue., Thu. & Sun.: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.;
Wed., Fri. & Sat.: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. & 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Aurel Lazăr Memorial House
An exquisite Art Nouveau monument inspired directly by Viennese art.
Address: Str. Aurel Lazar 13, Oradea
Tel: (+4) 0259 442.112
Open:
Tue, Thu and Sat: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Wed, Fri and Sun: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Performing Arts

Opera & Theatre

Oradea National Theatre
Teatrul Regina Maria – Oradea
Address: Piaţa Ferdinand I nr. 4 - 6
Telephone: (+4) 0259 436.592
TeatrulReginaMaria.ro

Oradea Philharmony
Filarmonica Oradea
Address: Str. Moscovei 5
Telephone: (+4) 0259 430.853
FilarmonicaOradea.ro

Arcadia Puppet Theatre Ensemble
Trupa Arcadia – Oradea
Address: Piaţa Ferdinand I nr. 6
Telephone: (+4) 0259 440.742
Website

Folk Ensemble “Nagyvarad”
Ansamblul “Nagyvarad”
Address: Piaţa Ferdinand I nr. 6
Telephone: (+4) 0359 805.000
www.Szigligeti.ro

Tourist attractions not far from Oradea

Ciuperca Public Garden - Oradea

Best views of Oradea are, perhaps, from Gradina Publica Ciuperca (Ciuperca Hill Public Garden). The area has five observation decks and is popular with locals and visitors who want to see the city panorama, to take a walk or to have a picnic not far from the city center.

Nymphaea Aqua Park & Spa - Oradea

Six pools (indoor and outdoor) of various sizes, five saunas, Turkish bath, water slides, whirpools, beauty salons, spa and two restaurants are available to Oradea visitors and locals to relax and regain strength and energy at the Nymphaea Aqua Park & Spa. The spa is open every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Website.

Baile Felix

Where: 5 miles south of Oradea
Access: car, bus
Baile Felix info

Established in the 18th century, Baile Felix is currently Romania's largest health town.
The thermal waters found here, very rich in oligominerals, and supplemented by sapropelic mud alleviate rheumatism and arthritis as well as gynecological affections and neurological disorders.

Day Trips from Oradea

Apuseni Mountains
Muntii Apuseni

Where: 64 miles southwest of Oradea
Access: car
Apuseni Nature Park more info

Oradea makes a great base for exploring the stunning Apuseni mountain range, located southeast of the city. The Apuseni Nature Park protects one of the most interesting cave systems in the country. Limestone underlies most of the park and is responsible for the area's impressive landforms and more then 400 caves, many of which can be explored. Sculptured mountain ridges, mysterious underground rivers and delicate cave formations will keep your camera busy.

Rent a car in Oradea and take the scenic drive to Arieseni. The Apuseni Motzi villages are ideal places to find the tranquility and timeless wisdom of traditional village life, vibrantly alive and intact here as perhaps, nowhere else in Europe.

City of Arad

Where: 76 miles southwest of Oradea
Access: car, bus, train
Arad info

City of Cluj Napoca

Where: 90 miles southeast of Oradea
Access: car, bus, train
Cluj-Napoca info

ORADEA TRIP PLANING INFO

Transportation

Air Travel to Oradea

Oradea International Airport (OMR)
Address: Calea Aradului 80, Oradea
Telephone: (+4) 0259 416.082
www.AeroportOradea.ro
The airport is located 3.1 miles southwest of the city centre.

Airlines with service to Oradea:
Air Connect
Tarom
RyanAir

Internationl airports not far from Oradea:
Arad (ARW) – 78 miles south
Cluj Napoca (CLJ) – 100 miles east
Timisoara (TSR) – 110 miles south

Oradea inter-city Bus

Oradea Bus Stations

Autogara Oradea
Address: Str. Războieni 81
Telephone: (+4) 0259 418.998

Autogara CDI
Address: Str. Stefan cel Mare 4
Telephone: (+4) 0259 471.690

Autogara OTL
Address: Str. Griviței 36
Telephone: (+4) 0359 404.048

Daily domestic bus service from/to: major towns and cities in Romania and Central Europe as well as to/from villages in Bihor county.

Travel to Oradea by train

Oradea Train Station
Gara Oradea

Address: Str. Republicii 114, Oradea
Tel: (+4) 0259 444.952

The train station is located about 1.2 miles from downtown. Tram # 1 and 4 run south from Piata Bucuresti (just outside of the train station) to Piata Unirii, Oradea's main square.

There are daily trains from/to Budapest (Hungary) (travel time – 4 hours).

For a list of international trains to/from Romania please visit
RomaniaTourism International Transportation section

There are daily trains from Oradea to:
Arad (2 hours)
Baia Mare (3 hours and 30 minutes)
Bucharest (11 hours)
Brasov (9 hours)
Cluj Napoca (3 hours)
Sighisoara (6 hours)
Suceava (9 hours)
Timisoara (3 hours)

To check train and bus schedules for domestic routes please visit
RomaniaTourism Domestic Transportation section

Oradea Train ticket office
Agentia SNCFR Oradea
Address: Str. Roman Ciorogariu 4,
Tel: (+4) 0259 416.565
Open: Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. – 8 p.m

Baia Mare SNCFR ticket office offers train information and tickets for future travel.
Tickets for same-day travel can only be purchased at the train station.

Reaching Oradea by car

The fastest route from Bucharest to Oradea is via A1 / E81 - E68 - E79 / DN76:
Bucuresti – Pitesti – Ramnicu Valcea – Sibiu – Sebes – Deva - Beius – Oradea

Driving route from Budapest (Hungary) to Oradea:
E60 - E671 / E 69:   Budapest – Szolnok – Oradea

Road Distance from/to Oradea:
City	Distance
Bucharest	380 miles
Arad	75 miles
Baia Mare	120 miles
Brasov	265 miles
Budapest (Hungary)	170 miles
Cluj-Napoca	95 miles
Constanta	545 miles
Iasi	360 miles
Sibiu	190 miles
Sighisoara	190 miles
Suceava	285 miles
Targu Mures	160 miles
Timisoara	110 miles
Vienna (Austria)	310 miles

...

Oradea Public Transportation

Eight tramway and 20 bus routes connect Oradea's main areas and tourist attractions.
Oradea Tramway routes map
Map of Oradea Bus routes

Cost of a single ticket for Oradea tram or bus is 3 Lei (approx. $0.75)
Price of a return ticket (2 trips) is 5 Lei (approx. $1.25)

Oradea Taxi

Oradea Taxi Companies
Name	Phone #
Taxi Fulger	(+4) 0788 887.787
City Taxi	(+4) 0744 777.111
Hello Taxi	(+4) 0725 254.214
Taxi Start	(+4) 0745 999.940
Green Taxi	(+4) 0745 254.214

...

Oradea Car Rental Companies

Avis - Oradea Airport
Addresss: Calea Aradului nr. 80
Tel: (+4) 0259 425.242  
E-mail  
Website

Budget
Address: Str. Mihai Viteazul 2 / 8 (Remtours)  
Tel: (+4) 0259 432.888  
E-mail

Budget - Oradea Airport
Address: Calea Aradului 80  
Tel: (+4) 0259 432.888  
E-mail

EuroCars Romania
Address: Calea Aradului 80 – (E671 - Oradea Airport)  
Tel: (+4) 0727 373.799  
E-mail  
Website

Promotor Rent a Car
Address: Strada Republicii 114  
Tel: (+4) 0734 403.403  
E-mail  
Website

Rent a Car Oradea
Address: Str. Libertatii 2-4, Oradea   Tel: (+4) 0359 303-106  
Website

Sixt
Oradea Airport   Tel: (+4) 0744 499.400  
Website

...

Oradea Hotels

Accommodations in Oradea include:

Hotel Name	Class	Location
Astoria Grand	boutique / upscale	Oradea city centre
Nevis	four-star / uppermidscale	one mile northwest of Oradea city centre
Glory	four-star / upscale	one mile west of Oradea city centre
Continental Forum	four-star / midscale	Oradea city centre
Double Tree	four-star / uppermidscale	city centre
Ramada by Wyndham	four-star / uppermidscale	0.5 miles west of Oradea city centre
Novotheos	four-star / midscale	0.2 miles north of Oradea city centre
Maxim	three-star/ midscale	0.2 miles north of Oradea city centre
Impero	three-star/ midscale	0.5 miles west of Oradea city centre

Tourist Info

Oradea Tourist Information Centre
Centrul de Informare Turistica - Oradea
Address: Piața Emanuil Gojdu 39 - 41. Corp J
(Oradea Fortress - Cetatea Oradea)
Telephone: (+4) 0359 191.096
E-mail
VisitOradea.com

Hours:
May through September: daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
October through April: daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Oradea Local Authorities

Oradea General Emergency Telephoe number: 112
(Ambulance (Ambulanta) , Police (Politia), Fire Department (Pompieri)

Oradea / Bihor County Archives

Directia Judeteana Bihor a Arhivelor Nationale
Address: Str. Traian Blajovici
Oradea, postal code 410076
Telephone: (+4) 0259 413.876
E-mail
Hours

Oradea Consumer Protection Agency
Comisariatul Judeţean pentru Protecţia Consumatorilor Bihor
Address: Str. Evreilor Deportați 4 A
Telephone: (+4) 0259 431.817
Website

Oradea City Hall
Primăria Municipiului Oradea
Address: Piata Unirii 1
Telephone: (+4) 0259 437.000
Oradea.ro

Oradea Main Post Office
Posta Oradea
Address: Str. Roman Ciorogariu 12
Tel: (+4) 0259 431.342
Open:
Mon. - Fri.: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sat: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
posta-romana.ro
Post offices display a postal horn symbol and the word Posta.

Telephoning Oradea from Abroad:
International Access Code + 40 (country code) + 259 or 359 (area code) + six-digit telephone number

Maps

Oradea City Map (Harta Orasului Oradea)
Romania Physical Map (Romania - Harta Fizica)
Romania Detailed Road Map (Romania - Harta Detaliata)
Romania Road Map (Romania - Harta Drumurilor, Sosele)
Romania Rail Map (Romania - Harta Cailor Ferate)