1. Renovated, Artsy And Interesting
Dating from the late 11th century and shrouded in sacred mystery and mythical legend, this city's most imposing sight is the pentagonal Oradea Fortress. A defensive bastion built for protection from Tartar, Ottoman and Austrian sieges over the centuries, the five-towered citadel was also a key religious and cultural center. It has been home to a monastery, a Roman Catholic diocese, a library, an astronomical observatory, a printing house and a college, and serves as the final resting place for royalty. With frescoed interior walls and underground channels supplied by ducts of warm water, much of the fortress has been fully restored to its former glory, hosting art exhibitions, craft fairs and a pleasant stroll through much of Central Europe's contentious history.
2. Inspired From Above
All of the world's major religions have at least a tenuous connection to paganism and Moon worship, and Oradea's Greek Orthodox cathedral in the city's center may be one of the clearest examples. Built in the Baroque style between 1784 and 1790, the Moon Church, officially known as the Assumption of Mary, features a metallic sphere in its clock that moves according to the Moon's rotation, noting the various lunar phases. At the time the cathedral was built, education and scientific research was maintained by the Church, so this curiosity was probably quite prestigious.
3. From Puppetry To Puccini
Designed in 1900 by the two Austrian architects who designed the Vienna Opera House, the State Theater represents one of Oradea's most important heritage buildings. The Theater was designed in an eclectic style with neoclassical and Neo-Renaissance exterior accents, huge, iconic columns and a recently renovated Neo-Baroque interior. It hosts a range of musical and dramatic productions, from puppetry and plays to contemporary dance and symphony orchestra performances.
4. A Past Not Forgotten
Emblematic of the Jewish community's strong contributions to Oradea since the 1500s, the Orthodox Synagogue was erected in 1905 with a grand, Moorish-style, red brick and stucco design. The house of worship was, prior to WWII, one of 27 synagogues serving more than a third of the city's 30,000 Jewish residents. The synagogue survived the war - and still serves a small Orthodox community - but an outdoor Holocaust Memorial remembers the 30,000 residents who did not.
5. A Cure For Whatever Ails You
With 120 degree thermal waters enriched with minerals and mud, Romania's largest health resort, Baile Felix, is well-known for its post-injury rehabilitation as well as its treatment for arthritis and other physiological afflictions. Spa treatments, including aromatherapy, paraffin packing, hydrotherapy and anti-aging beauty treatments, complete the overall experience.
