"Winds Of Change" Top 5 Page for this destination Oradea by edvin_br

Oradea Travel Guide: 211 reviews and 407 photos

A Different City

Oradea has a special magic that there is no other which i been in that has it... you must see in your own eyes to understand what i mean!!!
Altough Oradea as not as modern as Bucharest with shiny office buildings and not known as a western city as Timisoara it is still a vey devaloped place, a a lot of investments going on here and you can see it in the cities elegance and cleanes. The Old town is built in Art Noveu architecture style... so there is no other city like this in the all country.
All this gives Oradea her prety amazing charm.

An Importent Crosroads

The city Center

Oradea is situated on the western part of Romania, close to the border of Hungary and close to the West. Its population is about 225,000. All this turns Oradea to an importent financial, commercial, industrial, historical, cultural and transportation center.
There are a lot of international trains passing by and also some national roads (tha one to satu mare direction is in pretty poor condition and is geting fixed a bit slowly...). In the coming years there is a plan for a motorway in the area that will connect Budapest to Bucharest.
The city has an university and a lot more educational centers.
Oradea has increddible nightlife withs some great bars, clubs and pubs.
The city is a great place for shopping. The main shopping areas are Bulevard republici, the modern Lotus market(that is not relly a market unless a graet new shopping center) and the Crisul. department store.
Oradea is a great place for families because of its parks and Baile felix is very close to the city.

Long History

Today Oradea is one of Transilvanias most importent cities, but once, in the year of 1000 it was just a small location with no fixed ruler in the area.
Just then the Hungarians started to rull in Oradea and they turned it to be an importent catholic center. Since then Oradea was devolping as an importent commercial and trade center.
Between 1660-1692 the town was under Turkish occupation, this period wasn't a significant milestone in Oradeas history.
In 1692 the Habsburg empire defeated the Turks and started to rull the area. This times were the golden age of the Oradea because that the Habsburg empire Oradea to improve its administration, economy, finance, culture, religion and become a modern town for those days.
After WWI Romania controlled the city until the German-Hungarian occupation at the WWII. From the end of the war until today Oradea is one of the most beautiful and historical centers in all Romania and i think that in all eastern Europe.

Last visit to Oradea: Jul 2004
Intro Updated Mar 2, 2005
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Reviews (17)

Complexul Ursulinelor Off The Beaten Path (2)

This old curch that was planned by Szenczy Istvan in 1772 is one of the oldest buildings on the beautiful Republici... more travel advice

Park Hotel Hotels (2)

Park hotel is well located and as a very long history. Its one of Oradeas oldest hotels and it operating since 1904 (it... more travel advice

The main entrance to the Crisul - Oradea

Crisul Shopping (2)

These is Oradeas most central department store. it consists today 3 floors (there are another 1 or 2 floors that are... more travel advice

Unirii Sqaure, the center of Oradea - Oradea

Unirii Square Things to Do (10)

It was built to the honor of the Romania history. The square as some benches and some green plants and if you want to... more travel advice

Warnings Or Dangers (1)
Policlinica

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Comments (8)

planxty May 25, 2009 at 11:15 AM Report Abuse

Edvin, great Oradea page, well done, it was useful. fergy.
pure1942 May 14, 2008 at 11:07 AM Report Abuse

Hi Edvin. Thanks for visiting my New York page. You have a great page on Oradea. the school I teach in is twinned with a school there and I hope to visit in the near future. Well Done on your page. All the best - Brian
Gabor1965 Feb 23, 2006 at 7:03 AM Report Abuse

11 March-First VT meeting in Oradea, Romania We will meet in front of the National Theatre, at 4 pm. http://meetings.virtualtourist.com/5/meeting-2676-2-0-0-World-1140706060347-1172242060347-meeting.html?wosid=GtDV2sG8kWd8b0plqbjsGM
Matyas Apr 28, 2005 at 10:38 AM Report Abuse

Helo Edvin! My following destination in Romania...What a great city! Thanks for your nice tips :)
diocletianvs Jan 24, 2005 at 3:18 PM Report Abuse

Great info about the city I never heard of (although Romania is not that far from me). Surprisingly beautiful buildings, unfortunately some of them in desperate need of repair. Nice page (hope you'll upload the rest of the photos soon).
Levente_D Nov 19, 2004 at 11:07 PM Report Abuse

Great pictures and infos about Nagyvárad ... the place where I spent many wonderful moments of my childhood!
11dana Oct 10, 2004 at 1:00 AM Report Abuse

Hi!Pic you called `city center`,shows on the left side the old hospital.Having your drive licence, when it will be your next travel in Oradea?
Mique Apr 1, 2004 at 5:00 PM Report Abuse

I'll have to try and find that old man from the synagoge next time. Tried to get inside but couldn't and the building looks so interesting..