As it happens with many old cities, Timisoara’s history seems shrouded in the darkness of the Middle Ages before its first documentary attestation in the 12th century. A strong fortification, Timisoara used to be the meeting point of European crusaders that were to engage in battles against Turks; at the time it functioned as a forefront of Western Christendom. It took the Ottomans three centuries to actually conquer the city and be rid of its menace.
Many important events in the history of the Romanian people are related in the national memory to the city of Timisoara. No wonder the tourists are impressed by the imposing, yet generous atmosphere of this secular city. One first stop for everybody who visits Timisoara is the Huniade Castle. The Transylvanian principle, John Huniade, a strong figure in the fight against the Ottomans, built the Castle as a residence for his family.
Destroyed in the 19th century during an earthquake, the Huniade Castle was re-built soon afterwards, and its modern day image is tributary to the 19th century reconstruction. Open to visitors most of the year, it is best cherished by tourists that take guided tours, as they get valuable information of Timisoara’s 15th century history. Though, it underwent massive changes, the Castle still fascinates the visitor by its unique history laden atmosphere.
Timisoara is also representative for the mixture of Hungarian and Byzantine architectural elements that blend in the building facades and square design. One such example, highly enjoyed by tourists is the Piarist Church. Located in the Old City, in an area full of other touristic attractions, this church is a combination of Byzantine and neo-Hungarian elements. Its main entrance is in the very famous Holy Mary Square, one of Timisoara’s landmarks.
Built around a Roman-Catholic chapel in the 15th century, you can breathe in sheer spirituality here. Many tourists take great comfort in praying among the granite pillars in front of Holy Mary’s representation. The entire space seems to hold a special feeling, particularly because in the 16th century the Jesuits monks here are said to have had a vision of the Virgin. The Square with its chapel remained a sacred worshiping place for the believers.
Another spiritual sight, specific to the dominant Romanian Christian Orthodox faith is the Metropolitan Cathedral, with its unique architecture. The main touristic attractions here are the 7 bells all tuned in such a way to correspond to a different music tone. Decorations and painted biblical scenes are realized in the specific Romanian traditional adorning style. Don’t miss such a sight, it’s totally different from what you may have seen before.
Tributary to Timisoara’s Ottoman occupation is the Bastion of the citadel. This focal attraction point for tourists was first designed as a hall, housing the meetings of the Muslims, and it still bears to this day the Arabic inscriptions together with the original stone carvings. It is a real treasure for the city’s cosmopolitan history, and a relevant relic of the past.
If you’re out for great entertainment, Timisoara is a city of festivals and fun. From May to November, there is one festival going on each month: from the International Pop Music Festival to the International Naive Art Exhibition, the Country and Folk Music Festival and so on. Music of all kinds is well represented from pop to flute and jazz. In autumn you’ll have the unique occasion of tasting Romanian wine during the Wine Fest. Cheers!