Architecture and legend

1
 ORADEA

Project manager: dr. Dumitru Sim

Collaborator: Dr. Ioan Ciorba

Dumitru Noane

Photos: dr. Dumitru Sim

Samoilă Adrian

Graphic Design: Samoilă Adrian

Translation: Ioana Lucaciu

Felicia Duma
Anca Blaga

Această publicaţie este realizată în cadrul proiectului

Hist.Urban - Identitate Culturală Europeană, proiect derulat de Primăria
Municipiului Oradea cu sprijinul financiar al Uniunii Europene prin
Programul PHARE Naţional, cod proiect RO 2004/016-772.05.02.02.10.

Editor: Primăria Municipiului Oradea

Data publicării: noiembrie 2008
Date de contact beneficiar: Primăria Municipiului Oradea,
Piaţa Unirii nr. 1, tel: 0259/437000

Conţinutul acestui material nu reprezintă în mod necesar

poziţia oficială a Uniunii Europene.

Comisia Europeană http://ec.europa.eu

2 2 Consiliul Uniunii Europene http://www.consilium.europa.eu
Parlamentul European http://www.europarl.europa.eu
Architecture and legend

Geographic location and general presentation

O radea, the county seat of

Bihor County, is one of the most
important economic, social and
cultural centres from NW Roma-
nia, holding on to these features
throughout its history. The town
lies among the hills that divide
and unify, in a harmonious way,
the Crişana Plain and the foot
with hilly aspect of the Apuseni
Mountains. Located on the banks
of the river Crisul Repede, river
that divides the town in almost
two equal halves, Oradea makes
the connection to the Central-
European and West-European
world.

According to the cardinal points,

the town is situated at the north-
western extremity of Romania,
at the intersection of parallel of
latitude 47°03’ North with the
meridian of longitude 21°55’ East.
Situated at approx. 10 km from
Bors, the biggest customs house
on the Western border, Oradea is
the 10th largest town in Romania.
More exactly, it covers a surface 33
of 11,556 hectares.
 ORADEA

Relief Climate

The town is situated at an al- The topoclimate of the town

titude of 126 m above sea level, is determined by the persistent
in the area where the valley of action of the Western Winds.
the river Crisul Repede opens to Therefore, we are dealing with a
the low plain, in a contact zone temperate-continental climate
between the foot of the Apuseni with oceanic influences. The mul-
Mountains and the vast Banat- tiannual average temperature is
Crisana Plane. It is a passage of 10.4˚ C. In July, the average
area from the hilly relief (West- temperature is of approx. 21˚ C,
ern Hills, Oradea Hills and Gepis while in January is of -1.4˚ C.
Hills) to that of Pannonian plane. The rainfalls are relatively rich;
the annual average is of approx.
585.4 mm. They vary during the
year and it is impossible to clearly
delimit the maximum and the
minimum temporal areas of rain-
fall.

4 4
 ORADEA

Tourism and touristic attractions in Oradea

Its geographic location makes leaves of those who cross it,

from Oradea a very important simple tourists or admirers
node for the regional and in- of ancient architecture, is that
ternational tourism. Thus, of a spectacular architectural
the town is located only 12 reservation, a place where
km from Baile Felix, the larg- beauty, ancient and new mix
est permanent watering and in a unitary, harmonious and
climate resort from Romania. complex whole.
In the same time, on the area
of Bihor County, there can be
found several important tour-
istic attractions: the Stana de
Vale resort, the karst forma-
tions from the Apuseni Moun-
tains, the spectacular river
valleys that cross the county,
the customs and traditions
all over the county, the multi-
tude of peasant architectural
remainders, and other natu-
ral and antropic attractions.
Oradea’s touristic potential
is underlined not only by its
general position, but also by
its history and architecture as
well as by the location of its
monuments all over the town.
66 The impression that the town
Architecture and legend

7 7
 ORADEA

Patrimony – Oradea – Architecture and Legend

Oradea, a city with a

millennial history, situated at
the confluence of the Occident
with the Orient, a true “bridge
city” between two worlds,
managed along the existence
to absorb and to contour ac-
cording to its own vision on
the world all the best things in
the greatest two cultural “tec-
tonic” plates. The spiritual
effervescence, the economic
richness of the community
and the taste for beautiful,
made that here in the city on
the shores of Crisul Repede
River, very valuable architects
who have architectonic styles
close to Central and Western
Europe, find a place for mani-
festing their ideas.

8 8
Architecture and legend

Central Railway Station

Bucureşti Square

C entral Railway Station

(Bucureşti Square). It was built
in 1857 in the Eclectic style. In
1900-1902, due to the increase
of the travellers’ affluence, it was
modernized and much enlarged.
The two side wings are being built
now in the same Eclectic style
with Neo-roman and Neo-gothic
influences. It is worth mentioning
the fact that two of the most im-
portant constructors in the town,
architect Rimanoczy Kálaman
senior and construction engineer
Réndes Vilmős, left their mark on
the building.

9 9
 ORADEA

The Baroque
COMPLEX

1010
Architecture and legend

The Baroque Complex

Bucureşti Square

The Baroque Complex is only

3-5 minutes away of the railway
station, walking down in front
of the station crossing Bucureşti
Square towards Petőfi Park. It has
three component parts that once
belonged to the same architec-
tural complex. Now, the situation
has returned, all three buildings
belong to the Roman-Catholic
Bishopric of Oradea.

1111
 ORADEA

The Row of
THE CANONS

1212
Architecture and legend

The Row of the Canons

Şirul Canonicilor Street

The Row Of The Canons (Şirul Canonicilor Street), situated on the left
side of the followed route, represents in fact an architectural complex made
up of 10 ranging buildings erected during several phases that covered 100
years. It seems that the first building was erected in 1753-1758 and the last
one in 1875. They sheltered the canons of the Bishopric. Even if not unitary
from an architectural point of view, a skillful eye can notice the differences in
shape and dimension of the windows that give the aspect of a whole thanks
to the archway supported by massive pillars and Bohemian-style vaults. The
baroque style is the predominant one, even if there are specialists who assert
that it is more a Transylvanian popular classical architecture. The curious
ones can count the 56 vaults of the complex that, when looked at from an end
to the other, give the impression of an endless row.

1313
 ORADEA

“The Ascension
OF THE HOLY VIRGIN”

1414
Architecture and legend

“The Ascension Of The Holy Virgin”

Roman-Catholic Cathedral Şirul Canonicilor Street

T
“ he Ascension of the Holy
arranged that the cathedral be built
by the Austrian Johann Michael
Virgin” Roman-Catholic Cathe-
Neumann under the supervision of
dral (Şirul Canonicilor Street) is
the same Franz Anton Hillebrandt,
located inside the park that still
who meanwhile had become chief
shelters the Ţării Crişurilor Mu-
architect of the Imperial Court. In
seum. The access to the cathedral
1761, Ricca’s plans were replaced by
can be done either on the main
new ones and that is why, instead of
gate or on the gate that leads to
a north-Italian Baroque basilica a
the nave. It is the masterpiece of
late-Austrian Baroque building was
the Viennese architect Franz An-
erected. After several modifications
ton Hillebrandt, the one who ac-
to the plans and holdbacks, works
cepted Bishop Paulus Forgács’s
ended in the summer of 1779. One
proposal of building it. It is worth
year later, on the 25th of June 1780,
mentioning the fact that, from
the halidom was dedicated.
1750 until May 1, 1752, when the
head-stone was laid, the name of
the Austrian architect was omni-
present, but, from that moment
on, he disappeared and was re-
placed by the Italian constructor
Giovanni Battista Ricca. A sad fate
hung above those whose names
were linked to this worship estab-
lishment. The Italian Ricca died
in 1756. The arrival of a new bish-
op, Adam Patachich, gave a new
impulse to the construction. He 1515
 ORADEA

The Baroque
PALACE

1616
Architecture and legend

The Baroque Palace

Şirul Canonicilor street

The Baroque Palace (Şirul

one can count 365 windows, one
window for each day of the year.
Canonicilor Street) was built be-
It is notable the fact that even if
tween the years 1761-1777. It be-
the palace did not follow entirely
longs to the same architectural
the initial plans that would have
complex, and again, it is the mas-
increased its architectural value it
terpiece of the Viennese architect
still remains the most important
Franz Anton Hillebrandt. After
and extensive baroque complex
having laid the head-stone on the
from our country and probably
23rd of May, 1762, the construc-
from south-eastern Europe.
tion works were supervised by
the Austrian constructor Johann
Michael Neumann. The building
of the palace is remarkable for
its exterior monumentality and
for its interior sumptuousness. It
has the shape of a huge U, the fa-
çade is 102.3m and the side wings
25m long. The style adopted for
its construction is French import
on Austrian side; it is the French
Palatine Baroque style, also
known as cour d’honneur. On
the three floors of the building,

1717
 ORADEA

1818
Architecture and legend

The Baroque
PALACE

1919
 ORADEA

The Hospital Of The Mercifulls

and the Chapel of the Mercifulls no.33 Republicii

The Hospital of the Merci- Stylistically, it belongs to the

late Baroque style. On top of the
fulls (33, Republicii Street) and
building there are three statues
The Chapel of the Mercifulls
representing St. John Nepomuk,
are situated at the entrance from
in the middle St. John, protector
Magheru blvd. to Corso, that is
of the invalids and of the hospital
Republicii Street. The chapel
establishments, and on the left
was the first erected and finished
side of the portal, St. Florian. In-
building of the complex (1754-
side, the visitor discovers sculp-
1760). The style adopted for its
tured furnishings of solid timber
construction is late Baroque.
that belongs to the same period,
The novelty of this worship es-
bronze statuettes, a few very old
tablishment consists in the roof
and worth admiring tools and
solutions. The elliptic cupola
pharmaceutical recipients.
that covers the small dimension
construction, 22m per 14.30m,
represents one of the rarest archi-
tectural solutions used in those
times.
The construction of the hospital
started in 1761. The rooms in the
short wing were built during this
period. The construction of the
long wing, the one on Republi-
cii Street, started only in 1792.
The impressive portal that gives
upon the yard was built in 1799.
2020
Architecture and legend

The Palace Of Public Finances

no.35 Republicii Street

The Palace Of Public

Finances (35, Republicii Street),
now a policlinic and hospital of
catching diseases, forms a diago-
nal with the County Hospital and
it is located at the left entrance
of the Republicii Street. Its con-
struction in the Eclectic style
began in 1900 and it is the mas-
terpiece of the famous architect
Rimánoczy Kálmán junior.
He considered necessary that
such a building should combine a
multitude of architectural styles,
but let the renascent elements
prevail.

2121
 ORADEA

“The Descent of the Holy Spirit”

Roman-Catholic Church Republicii Street

“The Descent of the Holy solidation of the structure became

Spirit” Roman-Catholic Church imminent. Despite all these, a new
(Republicii Street), parallel to the crack in the cupola appeared a cen-
two buildings described above, tury later, in 1901. No rehabilita-
has an old and tormented history. tion solutions were envisaged, so
Initially, a Franciscan monastery the churched was closed and the
had functioned there that was lat- nave was demolished. Architect
er abolished by Emperor Joseph Rimánoczy Kálmán Jr. received
II. Thus, beginning with 1787, the the assignment of reconstructing
land with the construction on it the building. He was the one who
belonged to the Roman-Catholic gave the building a pseudo Ba-
Church. Consequently, the new roque style or, according to other
owners added to the old Baroque specialists in the history of archi-
ecclesiastic establishment, of tecture, a manieristic style.
which few elements are still pre-
served (the lateral alters of the
chapels, the crypt), a high tower
(53m) divided in three registers
on the main façade. Engineer
Knapp Ferencz built it in only
four months.

Beginning with 1891, a curse hung

over the church. The first signs of
a not solid construction, between
the nave and the tower, appeared
2222 and an evident crack could be
noticed. The immediate recon-
Architecture and legend

The Descent
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

2323
 ORADEA

The Apollo
PALACE

2424
Architecture and legend

The Apollo Palace

no.12 Republicii Street

The Apollo Palace (12, Re-

publicii Street) is located on the
right side of the pedestrian street,
on the way to the fortress. The
construction of this monumental
palace began in 1912. It respected
the plans of architect Rimánoczy,
combining in an elegant way the
Berliner Secession with the her-
aldry of the German Empire style.
It is a building with impressive
ornaments: stucco works, statues
and ironware. The attic shelters
the studios of some famous plas-
tic artists.

2525
 ORADEA

The Moskovits
PALACE

2626
Architecture and legend

The Moskovits Palace

no.4 Parcul Traian

The Moskovits Palace (4,

Parcul Traian), opposite the
Apollo Palace, was built accord-
ing to the plans of the same ar-
chitect, in 1904-1905. It is a new
example of Rimánoczy’s special
inclination for the Berliner Seces-
sion. It was for the first time when
prefabs were used in Oradea, re-
spectively cement sheets with
metallic ribs. It has very rich veg-
etal and symbolic ornaments, a
perfect inclination of the curves
and very well manufactured Se-
cession ironware.

2727
 ORADEA

The Stern Palace

no.10-10/A, Republicii Street

The Stern Palace (10-10/A,

Republicii Street) was built in
1904-1905. Its constructors,
architects Komor Marcell and
Jakab Dezső chose the Secession
style, more exactly the Lechnér
sub variant of this style. Domi-
nated by straight lines, with the
exception of the window frame-
works, this palace is remarkable
for its beautiful frieze beneath the
eaves. It is decorated with textile
and floral motifs in coloured coat-
ing.

2828
Architecture and legend

The Rimanoczy Kalman Senior Palace

no.1 Parcul Traian

The Rimanoczy Kalman Se-

nior Palace is on the right cor-
ner of the crossroads of Republicii
and no.1, Parcul Traian Streets.
Since there are no accurate data
of the period when it was erected,
specialists date its achievement
in 1905. It is a copy, at another
scale and much simplified, of the
Cá d’Oro Palace of Venice. It was
designed by the owner’s son, the
widely mentioned Rimánoczy
Kálmán Jr. Dominated by curve
lines, accolades in decorated
brow, and ogives the palace be-
longs to the Eclectic style with
Neogothic influences.

2929
 ORADEA

Ursulas’ “st. Ana” Chruch

and monastery no.1-3 Moscovei Street

U rsulas’ “st. Ana” Chruch

and monastery, apparently
two distinctive buildings, they
are united by a common historic
evolution. Their construction
began in 1771 at canon Stepha-
nus Szentzy’s initiative, the one
who bought the land of a former
monastery yard. The construc-
tion of this complex knew sev-
eral phases, and the architectural
solutions were among the most
various ones. That is why, hav-
ing the shape of the letter L, the
complex formed of a church and
of a monastery presents both
Baroque and Romantic elements
with Neogothic influences. It
seems that its construction was
finished in 1877, when the wing
on Republicii Street was complet-
ed with that on no.1-3, Moscovei
Street, the actual “Ady Endre”
Highschool.

3030
Architecture and legend

The Bazaar
Republicii Street

The Bazaar is located between

the Republicii and the Madách
Imre Streets. The construction
realized by Rimánoczy Kálmán
senior in Eclectic style was made
of materials resulted from the de-
molition of some houses located
on the land of the actual Theatre
and Bazaar. A massive construc-
tion, dominated by symmetry and
by an imposing frontispiece that
mark the pedestrian street situ-
ated on its median side.

3131
 ORADEA

The Poynar
HOUSE

3232
Architecture and legend

The Poynar House

Ferdinand Square corner with N. Grigorescu street

T he Poynar House (Ferdi-

nand Square corner with N. Gri-
gorescu street) was built in 1907,
in Secession style. The master-
piece of constructor Sztarill Fe-
rencz, the building is dominated
by ornamental and curvilinear
construction elements. On its fa-
çades, perfectly symmetrical, at
the window cappings and at the
level of the cornice we can ob-
serve polychrome ornamental el-
ements of ceramics. The decora-
tion of the frontispiece consists of
floral coating with a special visual
and aesthetic impact.

3333
 ORADEA

The State Theatre

Ferdinand Square

The State Theatre dominates inside. The statuary complex

in front of the Theatre repre-
the Ferdinand Square with its
sents the two muses that protect
grandeur. Located in the middle
the histrionics: Tragedy (Mel-
of a real museum of architecture,
pomene) and Comedy (Thalia).
this Eclectic building is remark-
A sculpture company from Buda-
able for its exceptional achieve-
pest performed it.
ment. The construction, much
desired by the municipality of
that period, was assigned to the
famous Viennese construction
company Fellner & Helmer. The
two Viennese entrepreneurs, fa-
mous all over Europe for their ef-
ficiency and good taste, presented
a project to the town municipal-
ity and the effective construction
began on July 21, 1899. Thanks
to the constructors’ efficiency,
Rimánoczy Kálmán senior, Gutt-
man József and Rendes Vilmos,
the building was finished on Oc-
tober 1, 1900, and the official in-
auguration took place two weeks
later. An art expert can admire
Neoclassic and Neorenescent
decorative elements on the fa-
3434 çades, and the Neobaroque style
Architecture and legend

The State
THEATRE

3535
 ORADEA

The Adorjan I House

Patrioţilor Street corner with Moscovei Street

The Adorjan I House in the

continuation of the warehouse
of the theatre, on its left side,
on Patrioţilor Street corner with
Moscovei Street, was built in 1903
by Sztarill Ferencz after the plans
of architects Komor Marcell and
Jakab Dezső. The Secession style,
heavy and adorned, paying huge
attention to being overwhelmed
with details, is “completed” with
ornamental solutions of popular
influence.

3636
Architecture and legend

The Adorjan II House

no.4 Patrioţilor Street

The Adorjan II House, no.4

Patrioţilor Street, was built by the
same entrepreneur. Its construc-
tion was done in 1904-1905, and
the curvilinear Secession style
is evident. From an ornamental
point of view, it combines the
preponderant style with the art
of popular influences, just like its
twin construction.

3737
 ORADEA

The Sztarill
PALACE

3838
Architecture and legend

The Sztarill Palace

Ferdinand Square

The Palace Of Public

Finances (35, Republicii Street),
now a policlinic and hospital of
catching diseases, forms a diago-
nal with the County Hospital and
it is located at the left entrance
of the Republicii Street. Its con-
struction in the Eclectic style
began in 1900 and it is the mas-
terpiece of the famous architect
Rimánoczy Kálmán junior.
He considered necessary that
such a building should combine a
multitude of architectural styles,
but let the renascent elements
prevail.

3939
 ORADEA

Transylvania Hotel,
former “Panonia” Hotel Ferdinand Square

Transylvania Hotel, former

“Panonia” Hotel, located in
Ferdinand Square, between Asto-
ria and the Palace of the Central
Savings bank, was built according
to the plans of the local architect
Guttman József. The construc-
tion of the two wings was real-
ized in 1903-1904. The style is the
Eclectic one with strong Seces-
sion marks. The friezes and the
stucco works, the cappings and
the ironware form a complemen-
tary whole that are worth admir-
ing.

4040
Architecture and legend

The Palace of the Central Saving Bank

no.4 Ferdinand Square

The Palace of the Central

Savings Bank (no.4, Ferdinand
Square). Rimánoczy Kálmán Jr.
designed and constructed the
building in 1907. The building
would be gradually extended.
In 1911, the same entrepreneur
added a show room and a cin-
ema (Transylvania Cinema in the
present) at the ground floor and
at the floor a reception room for
the bank (the present Culture
House of the town). Numerous
renovations led to the disappear-
ance of some Eclectic decorative
elements. The initial Secession
ironware from the entrance and
the beautiful portals are history.

4141
 ORADEA

The Levay Palace

Ferdinand Square

The Levay Palace located

at the crossroads of Ferdinand
Square with Libertatii Square,
on the right bank of river Crisul
Repede. In the shape of L, the
building was constructed in 1892-
1894, has a small axis given by the
three registers on the wing that
gives upon Ferdinand Square.
The lager extension, 14 registers,
is situated on the riverbank. Its
constructor, architect Hazlián Já-
nos, preferred the Classical style
with some early Eclectic con-
struction solutions.

4242
Architecture and legend

“St. Ladislaus”
Roman-Catholic Church Unirii Square

S
“ t. Ladislaus” Roman-Cath-
fortress cathedral and the current
one – the one found in the Ba-
olic Church (Unirii Square) is
roque Complex.
situated on the other bank of the
river that crosses Oradea. It is
considered one of the most im-
portant Baroque establishments
of the town. Its construction
started around 1720, and accord-
ing to the inscription above the
entrance, it was finished in 1733.
In fact, its construction took place
during several phases and lasted
a longer period. There are only a
few data on the constructors of
this establishment of provincial,
simple but elegant, Baroque style.
There is no available information
on the architect and only a few on
one of the constructors, Francis-
cus Suszter. It is worth mention-
ing the fact that until 1780, when
the roman-catholic basilica was
dedicated, St. Ladislaus church
functioned as a roman-catholic
cathedral, making temporar-
ily the transition between the old
4343
 ORADEA

The City Hall

OF ORADEA

4444
Architecture and legend

The City Hall

Unirii Square

The City Hall is the work (de- cades, a traffic road portico and
sign and execution) of architect till recently an allegoric statuary
Rimánoczy Kálmán Jr., who, in group) received special attention
1896, won the design contest from the designer-constructor.
for a new city hall building. The They are also underlined by the
construction of this monumental relative classical and by the com-
building started with the demo- positional modesty of the lateral
lition of the former Episcopal wings. The tower served as an ob-
residence in 1901, the head-stone servation point for the firefighter
being laid in February, 1902. In on duty. Ironically, in 1944, the
October, 1903, the building was tower, the roof and the last floor
inaugurated and commissioned. burned up. They were later re-
The clock tower, the façade rich built.
in architectural elements (pilas-
ters, colonnades, balconies, ar-

4545
 ORADEA

The Black Eagle

COMPLEX

4646
Architecture and legend

The Black Eagle Complex

Independenţei Square

The Black Eagle Complex

stucco works – bass reliefs with
floral and figurative motifs, the
, maybe the most monumental
stained glasses and the huge
architectural achievement of
chandeliers are so well organized
Oradea and Transylvania, if we
from a symmetrical point of view
are to refer to the constructive
that no one could impugn the dis-
Secession style. Architects Komor
tinction of the establishment.
Marcell and Jakab Dezső won
the contest for the construction
of this architectural complex. Its
construction, on the site of the
former “Black Eagle” Inn, started
in 1907 under the supervision of
construction engineer Sztarill
Ferenc. In December, 1908 it
was already finalized. Formed
of two unequal and asymmetric
parts, connected by a third one
situated in the middle and much
withdrawn, the complex was to
shelter: a theatre, ballrooms, a
casino, offices etc. The passage
in the shape of Y and the three
entrances (the main entrance on
Unirii Square, the back ones on
V. Alecsandri and Independenţei
Streets), the amazing avalanche
of curve lines, the alternance of 4747
 ORADEA

The Black Eagle Complex

Independenţei Square

4848
Architecture and legend

The Black Eagle

COMPLEX

4949
 ORADEA

The Palace Of The Greek-Catholic

Bishopric Unirii Square

The Palace Of The Greek-

Catholic Bishopric situated
in Unirii Square, was realized
in Eclectic style by Rimánoczy
Kálmán Jr. on the site of the for-
mer Baroque building that also
served as an Episcopal residence.
The construction lasted from
1903 until 1905. Framed by two
lateral towers and dominated by
the tower that connects the two
wings, the building is a delicate
Eclectic combination with mul-
tiple Roman and Byzantine deco-
rative elements.

5050
Architecture and legend

The Greek-Catholic Cathedral

Iuliu Maniu Street

The Greek-Catholic – as a highly ranked Orthodox

church. Once it entered in the
Cathedral – somehow a contin-
normality of the democratic re-
uation of the bishopric building
gime, the church became again
in Unirii Square, was built be-
what it was ab initio, namely a
tween 1800-1810, by an unknown
Greek-Catholic cathedral.
architect and constructor, but in
a well defined Classical Baroque
style. The interior decoration,
typical to the individualization
of Romanian Greek-Catholics
in the Catholic world, is of Byz-
antine descent. The edifice falls
under the 1836 fire and is rebuilt
in great effort and expense un-
til the year 1870. Also now they
erect the Byzantine tower. A new
fire affects the tower in 1907. It is
then restored in 1910-1912, when
they build the sumptuous Ba-
roque “helmet” that we can still
see today.
Among others, the unperceivable
differences in aspect as well as
in rite determined the religious
house to function – after the
Greek-Catholic rite was made il-
legal by the Communist regime 5151
 ORADEA

The Church of “Virgin Mary’s

Falling Asleep” Unirii Square

The Church of “Virgin

inside respects the strict norms of
space development given by the
Mary’s Falling Asleep”, more
Byzantine style, strictly following
frequently known as “The Moon
the canons of the church. On the
Church”, is located just next to
front of the iconostasis was, once,
the Greek-Catholic cathedral, in
the portrait of Horea, one of the
the south-eastern corner of Unirii
leaders of the 1784 revolt, being
Square.
considered by many historians
They started to build this church
the only authentic reproduction of
in November 1784, when Tran-
his face. Nowadays, it is replaced
sylvania was moved by one of the
by a copy, as the original is to be
strongest peasant movements
found in the Orthodox Bishopric of
ever. The architect who designed
Oradea.
the building plan was Jacob Eder
The nickname of “The Moon
and the constructor was engineer
Church” comes from the mecha-
Ioann Lins. The masonry was fin-
nism that was installed on the
ished in 1790, while on the 17th
church tower, the one that using a
of November of the same year the
clock device has managed for such
first religious service was held.
a long time to indicate exactly the
The church was sanctified much
phases of the moon, by a globe co-
later – over 4 decades afterwards
loured in black and gold. The fancy
– in 1832, when the interior
machinery was the work of clock-
painting was already finished.
maker Georg Rueppe and was put
in use in 1793.
The church was built in a late Ba-
roque style, with obvious Classical
elements, but also with a strong
5252 vernacular, provincial stamp. The
Architecture and legend

The Church of
VIRGIN MARY’S
FALLING ASLEEP

5353
 ORADEA

The Capucins’ Monastery and Church

Cuza Vodă street

The Capucins’ Monastery

and Church is located between
General Traian Moşoiu and Cuza
Vodă streets. This complex is a
testimony of the Classicist style
that dominated the taste of the
Oradea people at a certain point
in time. Initially a Baroque build-
ing, after the construction of
1734-1742, the building burnt to
the ground in the fire of 1836. The
complex was rebuilt in Classicist
style, very fashionable at the
time, and was finished in 1838 by
constructor Barthel Győrgy.
The inside of the church is a
simple one, the ship is modest
in size and only partly painted,
images only appear on the ceil-
ing. The painted images, strongly
dependant on the Eastern artistic
influences, can be distinguished
by a simple approach, with lay
accents.

5454
Architecture and legend

The Orthodox Synagogue

Mihai Viteazul street

The Orthodox Synagogue is cades, the roof and the inside.

Currently, this is the only func-
located in the current Mihai Vite-
tional synagogue in Oradea, as
azul street, in the middle of a still
the number of the Oradea Jews
active Jewish community cen-
fell terribly during the Second
ter. However, at the time when
World War, many of them being
it started to be built, the Mosaic
taken away, as well as during the
community of Oradea was one of
Communist regime, when they
the most important, from an eco-
started to emigrate to Israel or to
nomic point of view, in the city.
Western states.
As a result, for cultural and reli-
gious traditional considerations,
but mostly because of this eco-
nomic strength, the building had
to be emblematic.

It was built in 1890 by construc-

tor Knapp Ferenc, who followed
plans made by architect Bach
Nándor. The style is Eclectic,
with visible Moorish decorative
elements, apparent even today.
They remained a dominant of
the building even after the latest
interventions, in fact even now,
when we elaborate this material,
the building is undergoing a wide
process of restoration of the fa- 5555
 ORADEA

The Ullmann Palace

no.9, 1 Decembrie Square

The Ullmann Palace (no.9, 1

Decembrie Square) was built in
the Viennese Secession style, in
1913, by the Gertsler, Megyeri,
Szunyogh construction company
according to architect Lőbl Fe-
renc’s plans. The high ground
floor is paved with green-bluish
faience; the sober façade is deco-
rated with stucco lockets and
brick knobs. The specific feature
of this building is the bas-relief
presenting the Nubian lion and
the seven-armed candlestick
made of bronze-green stoneware.

5656
Architecture and legend

The Neolog Synagogue

Independenţei street

The Neolog Synagogue is lo- only after official demands ad-

dressed to the leadership of the
cated opposite from 1 December
Jewish community, just like in
square, on Independenţei street.
the case of the previous patrimo-
Built after the division of the Jew-
nial objective.
ish community of Oradea into
Orthodox and Congress or Neo-
logical Jews, it becomes an ar-
chitectural reality of the Oradea
landscape in 1878. The imposing
Eclectic building was made af-
ter the plans of Busch David, by
Rimánoczi Kálmán senior. Just
like in the case of the other syna-
gogue, the external and interiour
decorations are of Moorish inspi-
ration. The essential differences
between the two Mosaic religious
houses are that the latter is much
more monumental. Compared
with the Orthodox one, the Neo-
log synagogue distinguishes itself
by being so massive, so imposing
and last but not least, a favour-
able location. Unfortunately, the
building – although in a good
state of conservation, is not func-
tional. It can be entered for visits 5757
 ORADEA

5858
Architecture and legend

The Fortress of Oradea

no.39 Independenţei Square

The Fortress of Oradea (39, thedral, served by a college of 24

priests, called Capitular, was built
Puglia in the poem Carmen mi-
serabile.
Independenţei Square) was erect-
inside.
ed at the end of the 11th century
In the beginning, the Fortress of After the Lyon Council from Feb-
initially to defend a monastery
Oradea had the role of a centre ruary 1245, thanks to the facili-
with Virgin Saint Mary as pa-
that polarized the habitations ties granted to the newcomers in
tron, monastery built – accord-
surrounding the area, having po- the region, an ample process of
ing to the legend- on an island on
litical, military, juridical, admin- reconstruction began in Oradea.
river Crişului Repede, near Peţa
istrative and religious functions. It was a massive process, at im-
stream. In the beginning, the
At the Tatar-Mongolian invasion pressive scales, that continued in
fortification was made of earth,
of 1241, the fortress was not in a the following century, too. Thus,
strengthened with a palisade and
good shape, thus permitting the in 1342-1370, there was built a
with wooden towers.
besiegers –by using a stratagem gothic cathedral of remarkable
based on their extreme mobil- size, one of the largest in central-
After the Roman-Catholic Bish-
ity- to conquer it and destroy eastern Europe. An impressive
opric of Oradea had been in-
it by burning it up, tragic event Episcopal palace was built in the
stalled within the Fortress, a ca-
described by monk Ruggero di southern part of the fortress.

5959
 ORADEA

The Fortress of In 1360-1370, the Marn and Gheor-

ghe brothers from Cluj realized the
bronze statues of the three canon-
ized kings –Stephen I, Emerick,
the cathedral within the fortress,
bringing it to the same rank as
San Marco church of Venice and
Santa Maria Portiuncula of Assisi
ORADEA and Ladislaus I. In 1390, they re- – allowing the catholic believers to
turned and made the equestrian come in pilgrimage, and increasing
statue of King Ladislaus I, natural thus the fame and the incomes of
size, entirely gilded. However, the the fortress and of the surround-
Turks took all the statues – in 1660 ing localities. Besides the simple
when they conquered the fortress - believers, kings started to come to
and melt them for cannons. visit the fortress and pay their re-
spects at the cathedral. On March
The Fortress of Oradea enjoyed the 31, 1412, on Easter, King Władysław
special attention of several Hungar- II Jagiełło of Poland accompanied
ian kings: Ladislaus I, Louis I the by King Sigismund of Luxemburg
Great, Sigismund of Luxembourg, spent here more than two weeks.
Matthias Corvinus, János Sza-
polyai, of Transylvanian princes - In the 15th century, “the golden
Stephan Bathori, Cristofor Bathori, age” of the fortress, thanks to some
Gabriel Bethlen, Gheorghe Rákoczi bishops who were highly erudite
I- who showed preoccupation in the scholars – Andrea Scolari, John
reinforcement and development of Vitez of Zredna, Sigismund Thurzo,
the fortress, establishing here a sec- the Fortress of Oradea became an
ond residence, with all the deserved important centre of Humanism
glory. and Renaissance in Central and
Eastern Europe. An impressive
No less than seven kings and queens library, containing almost all the
were buried in the cathedral or in works of the European Humanists,
the cemetery - Ladislaus I, Andrew and a “Literarum asylum”, a meet-
II, Stephen II, Ladislaus IV the Cu- ing and discussion place for the
man, Queen Beatrix, Queen Mary Italian and other Central and East-
and the King-Emperor Sigismund ern European scholar, were built.
of Luxemburg – as well as several The illustrious physicist of Vienna
bishops, among them Andrea Sco- University, Georg Peuerbach (1423
lari and Sigismund Thurzo. - 1461), built an astronomic obser-
On August 25, 1401, Pope Boni- vatory in Oradea and, establishing
6060 facius IX conferred a privilege to the zero meridian here, he calculat-
Architecture and legend

ed the sun and moon eclipses in his bishopric of the fortress disposed
work “Tabulas Varadienses”. In the of its own army made of 500 cav-
16th century, Nicolaus Olahus, the alrymen and 500 hundred infantry-
great Romanian Humanist scholar, men, recruited mainly from the Ro-
studied at the Capitular School that manian voivodes of Bihor (Gepiş,
functioned in the fortress. Remetea). Leading the army, the
From a religious point of view, be- bishops took part and lost their
sides the roles of residence of the lives at the Crusade of Varna (1444)
Roman-Catholic Bishopric and pil- and at the battle of Mohács (1526).s
grimage, two important aspects are After the fall of the Hungar-
worth being mentioned. The first ian feudal kingdom and its divi-
one is the Unitarian riot on June sion between the Turks and the
22, 1565 that led to the abolition Habsburgs, Ferdinand of Habsburg
of the catholic institutions in 1557 and King János Szapolyai disputed
by destroying the cathedral inside the Oradea Fortress. The Peace of
the fortress. The second one is the Oradea was concluded in the for-
printing, at the printing press of the tress on February 24, 1538. It was
fortress, of the Hungarian edition the first international treaty that
of the Bible, known as the Bible of confirmed the complete separa-
Oradea. tion of Transylvania from Hungary.
The conflict restarted after the fall
From a military point of view, the of Buda under the Turks (August

6161
 ORADEA

The Fortress of 1540) and Szapolyai’s death and

ended when the Fortress of Oradea
was conquered by the army of the
Principality of Transylvania on
princes of Transylvania.

The regional political and military

changes, generated by the fall of
ORADEA April 10, 1557. Buda (August 1540) and of Timiso-
It was then that the Great Cap- ara (1552) that became Turkish
taincy of Oradea was constituted. pashalic, imposed the construction
Its main mission was to defend the of a new fortification in Oradea,
western border of the principality adapted to the demands of the
and the domain of the Fortress of time. Thus, the princes of Transyl-
Oradea by taking over the posses- vania hired Italian military archi-
sions of the bishopric and of the tects, the most skillful ones at this
council, and abolishing the catholic type of constructions, who built the
institutions due to the victory of the new pentagonal fortress, with bas-
Reform. tions at the corners and a defense
water ditch, of late renascent na-
The role of the great captains of ture, in two phases: in 1569-1598
Oradea was significant both on lo- the inner wall of the fortification
cal level and for the fact that some and in 1618-1650 the castle of the
of them – Stephan Bathori (since fortress.
1575 also king of Poland), Cristofor During its history, the Fortress of
Bathori, Stephan Bocskai, Gheo- Oradea had significant connections
rghe Rakoczi II–, later became with the other Romanian countries.

6262
Architecture and legend

An important moment can be con- Beginning with 1692, the fortress

sidered the reign of Michael the was included in the Habsburgic
Brave (1593-1601) when the army military system, carrying different
of the fortress (800 cavalrymen functions according to the politi-
and 1,200 infantrymen) led by cal and military evolution of the
captain Stephan Bocskai took part new province of the empire. The
at the anti-Ottoman campaign of new rulers gave the fortress a spe-
1595, at the battles of Târgovişte, cial significance as proved by the
Bucharest and Giurgiu. A troop of repairs and rearrangements car-
1,500 cavalrymen, led by Aga Lec- ried out in 1692-1695, 1725, 1754-
ca, came to help the fortress that 1755, 1775-1777 and 1883-1887.
was besieged by the Turks.
By the decree of May 16, 1857,
The armies of the Ottoman Em- King Franz Joseph I annulled the
pire besieged the Fortress of military role of the fortress. Un-
Oradea in 1474, 1598, 1658 and til 1918, the fortress served as an
1660, when – after a siege of 46 auxiliary space. Even after 1918,
days, with a garrison of 850 men the fortress continued to be a mil-
withstanding the Turkish army of itary objective, used as such.
45,000 soldiers – due to treason,
the fortress surrendered on Au- The restoration process – started
gust 27. For the next 32 years, it in 1998 and intensified in the fol-
was under Ottoman domination, lowing years – is meant to restore,
and became the headquarters of as much as possible, the former
the Oradea Pashalic. beauty of the fortress and to turn
it into an attraction point for the
Following a very long campaign locals and for the visitors, so that
(July 1691-June 1692), on June the fortress can really become the
5, 1692, Abdulatiff pasha, the last symbol of Oradea.
great governor of Oradea, and
General Donath Heissler signed a
truth by which the Ottoman garri-
son surrendered and the Fortress
of Oradea was under the Aus-
trian domination. This moment
marked the triumph of Christian-
ity and the beginning of the Mod- 6363
ern Age for Oradea.
 ORADEA

64
64
Architecture and legend

6565
 ORADEA

66
66
Architecture and legend

67
67
 ORADEA

Bibliography
1. Istoria oraşului Oradea (coord. Liviu Bor-
cea şi Gheorghe Gorun), Ed. Cogito, Oradea, 1995
2. Peter Zoltan, Trei secole de arhitectură
orădeană, Ed. Muzeului Ţării Crişurilor, Oradea,
2003
3. Oradea (coord. Aurel Chiriac), Ed. Muzeului
Ţării Crişurilor, Oradea, 2002
4. Liviu Borcea, Memoria caselor, Ed. Arca,
2003
6

6868
 Architecture and legend

68

69
69
 ORADEA

70