Cluj-Napoca Things to Do Tips by HORSCHECK Top 5 Page for this destination

Statue of Matthias Corvinus

The equestrian statue of the former king of Hungary Matthias Corvinus, who was born in Cluj Napoca, was errected in 1902. It was designed by the Hungarian sculptor Fadrusz Janos.

The statue was already inscribed with the Hungarian version (Matyas Corvin) as well as with the Romanian version (Matei Corvin) of the name. Nowadays the neutral name Mathias Rex is used.

Unfortunately, during our first visit in May 2008 the statue was completely scaffolded, but in April 2012 we were able to see it.

Directions:
The Statue of Matthias Corvinus stands on the southern side of the St. Michael's Church, which can be found in the middle of the large Piata Unirii (Union Square).

Saint Michael's Church

The Roman-Catholic Saint Michael's Church (Biserica Sfantul Mihail) dominates the old town of Cluj-Napoca. The Gothic church was built in the 14th and15th century, whereas the 80 m tall tower was added much later in the 19th century.

In front of the church the equestrian statue of Matthias Corvinus can be found. The former king of Hungary was born in Cluj-Napoca in 1443. Unfortunately during our first visit of Cluj-Napoca in May 2008 the statue was scaffolded.

Directions:
The Saint Michael's Church stands right in the middle of the large Piata Unirii (Union Square) in the centre of the old town of Cluj-Napoca.

Lucian Blaga National Theatre

Probably my favourite building in Cluj-Napoca is the Lucian Blaga National Theatre (Teatrul National Lucian Blaga).

The Neo-Baroque theatre was constructed between 1904 and 1906 by the famous Austrian architects Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer, who among other buildings also designed the Theatre of Music and Drama in Chernivtsi (UA). The National Theatre is also home to the Romanian Opera.

Directions:
The National Theatre is located at the northern side of the Piata Stefan cel Mare, just opposite to the Orthodox Cathedral, which can be found in the middle of the Piata Avram Iancu.

Website: http://www.tnc.org.ro/

Statue of Michael the Brave

The Statue of Michael the Brave (Mihai Viteazul) was the first sight we spotted after our arrival in Cluj-Napoca.

It was erected by Marius Butunoiu in 1976. Michael the Brave was the Prince of the three Romanian principalities (Wallachia, Transsylvania, Moldova) in the late 16th century.

The statue shows him on a horse and symbols of the Romanian union on the pedestral.

Directions:
The Statue of Michael the Brave stands in the middle of the large Piata Mihai Viteazul, which can be found just north of the old town.

Reformed Calvinist Church

The Reformed Calvinist Church (Biserica Reformata Calvina) was constructed in Gothic style between 1486 and 1516 for the Minorits, a Franciscan order.

After the reformation the church was taken over by the Jesuits (15th century), even later it was given to the Calvinist Reformed congregation (17th century).

A statue of St. George killing a dragon stands in front of the church.

Directions:
The Reformed Calvinist Church can be found west of the Piata Stefan Cel Mare, at Str. Mihail Kogalniceanu.

Tailors Tower

The Tailors Tower (Bastionul Croitorilor) is one of the very few remains of the former defensive walls and citadel of Cluj-Napoca.

The history of this fortification system dates back to the 15th century. The tower was rebuilt in the early 17th century and it has been extensively renovated just lately after years of neglect.

Directions:
The Tailors Tower stands at the Piata Baba Novac, near the southeastern end of the old town of Cluj-Napoca.

Evangelical Church

The Evangelical Church was erected between 1816 and 1829 after designs of the architect Georg Winkler.

The building includes elements of Baroque and Neo-Classical architecture.
Since 1913 the church is home to a pipe organ from Ludwigsburg (D).

Directions:
The Evangelical Church is located at the crossing of the streets Bul. 21. Decembrie 1989 and Str. Regele Ferdinand, just near the northern corner of the Piata Unirii (Union Square).

Piarists Church

The Piarists' Church (Biserica Piaristilor) is also known as the Jesuits' Church, as it was built by Jesuits in the early 18th century.

In 1776 the church was transferred to the Catholic educational order of the Piarists. The Baroque church building consists of two 45 m tall bell towers.

Directions:
The Piarists Church stands at Str. Universitatii 5, which is the street leading to the south from the Piata Unirii (Union Square).

Bob Church

The Bob Church (Biserica Bob) was consecrated in 1803. It is the first Greek-Catholic church as well as the oldest Romanian church in Cluj Napoca.

The construction of the Baroque church was financed by the Romanian nobleman Ioan Bob, hence the name.

Directions:
The Bob Church can be found at the street Episcop Ioan Bob, just southwest of the Piata Unirii (Union Square).

Orthodox Cathedral

The construction of the Orthodox Cathedral (Catedralna Ortodoxa) took place between1923 and 1933, just after the union of Transsylvania and Romania.

The 64 m tall cathedral was built in a specific Romanian style with Byzantine influences. The interior is decorated with large colourful murals, which were painted by professors of the local Art Academy.

Directions:
The Orthodox Cathedral is situated in the centre of the Piata Avram Iancu, just opposite to the National Theatre, which can be found at the northern side of the Piata Stefan cel Mare.