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Oradea

Oradea, one of more beautiful towns of Central Europe, it is the door of entry of western border of Romania and the capital of the area of Bihor.

Located on the hills, with the feet the Plain of Crisana and of Carpates Western and on banks of the Crisul River, the low city a mixture nostalgic prints of the past, a magic environment and a breath of perpetual change.
Small Paris, as it was of habit to call Oradea Mare at the beginning 20th century, guard still today a spirit "Beautiful Time".

This feeling is returned by the architectural style "Secession" which gives the city this so special elegance, by preserving the atmosphere of turning last century.

The city suggests also the spirit of its community which, during centuries, was located at the crossroads of trade route, the junction of civilizations of the East and the West.
Nowadays, the inhabitants of Oradea are quite conscious of the heritage history that their city leaves them, which generated its development and value gave to the transitory interests of the political forces from Europe Power station and Western

The city gives us also a good example of cohabitation the different ones ethnic groups, all taking part in the development of a place or it fact good food and favourable with the individual successes.
The geographical situation of the city, on banks of the river Crisul, the junction enters the western Plain
and chains it Apuseni mountains like on trade route connecting Europe Western and Central the East, helped Oradea to become a center policy, economic, religious and cultural important.

Since Prehistory, this area was inhabited by a population original, always ready to develop contacts with the group’s human of passage Oradea has or settling there.
Facts and figures:

A surface of 11.556 hectares, the 10th town of Romania.
A population from approximately 210.000 inhabitants.
Ethnic structure of the population: Roumanians 70, 3%, Hungarian 27, 6%, Others 2, 1% (Germans, Jews, Slovak, Gipsies, etc.).
Religious structure of the population: Orthodox 59%, Greco Catholics 3, 3%, Romance Catholics 11, 2%, Neo-Protestants 16, 3%, Baptists 3, 6%, Pentecotists 4, 6%, Others 2%
Geographical position: west of Romania, with the crossing of the roads connecting Northern Europe and Power station with the South-eastern part of the continent.
Oradea is located at 10 km of Bors, the most important point of passage frontier of the entire western border.
Access:
Plane, flights intern Bucharest Oradea (1. 15 min)
Plane, flights external Verone-Oradea
External lines of train connecting the largest European capitals
International roads E60 and European roads
There are evidence that the zone called Oradea-Salca was inhabited by a Thrace population of the Bronze Age (2200-1150 before JC), representing the Othoman culture which had its epicenter in the area of Bihor. During the period of the Iron Age (1150 before JC), the zone was populated by tribes Daco Gètes pertaining to Thraces of the north of The Danube directed by Burebista (1st century before JC) since the end of Antiquity (2nd and 3rd centuries) and until the 6th century.

Then, the zone was occupied by Daces free, followed of Daco Romains (6th and 8th centuries) and finally by the Romans who, of 9th with 11th century formed part of directed more important national formations by Menumorut and resident Biharea, close to Oradea.
The long process of fusion enters the Daces inhabitants and the Romans for to become the Rumanian people was often stopped by invasions foreign like those of Huns, Gepids, Avars and Slaves. Majority of these groups joined the area of Oradea-Salca, the heart of a place intended to become a wide medieval city later.
There exists much of archaeological evidence dating from the period before The Middle Ages which testify to permanent contacts between the communities of this part of Eastern Romania and civilizations and Western.
After the year 1000, Oradea extends its territory and becomes the place which will be, at the 19th century, a modern city based on activities of trade which will lead it to reinforce its position and to impose itself like one important business district in Central and Eastern Europe.

The causes of this spectacular transformation are complex and multiples: initially, the geographical situation of the city, sound natural environment forming a bridge of communication with Europe Power station via the river Crisul Repede; then, the fact that centers of activity of the city were inhabited permanently until the turning of second millennium.
During the 1st millennium, Biharia, a neighboring place Oradea was it center most important, during the reign of Menuromut (beginning of 10th century). It as should be remembered as the Rumanian population living in the fortress often barred the road with the Hungarian crossing the area of Bihor. They were subordinates religieusement the Emperor of Byzance, with which they maintained the direct relations.
The Kingdom of Hungary, leader lately imposed, did of Oradea one center catholic important between 11th and 13th centuries and a center administrative monk by melting Évêché Novel-Catholic lasting the reign of the King Ladislav (1077-1095).

Since these times, Varadinum (Oradea), mentioned originally under this toponymy in 1113, acquired more prestige and reaches a level of development more significant than Biharea or other cities in area.
The conquest of the area and the test of catholicized Rumanian y residing led them to be raised in order to preserve their orthodox worship, by rejecting the political and ecclesiastical organization world Westerner.
After the conquest of Constantinople by the Romans, in 1204, which generated a proselytism marked in the areas inhabited by congregations orthodox, they maintenèrent the évêché orthodox ones in Bihor, and some other trainings of Greek monks within the évêché Romance one Catholic of Oradea.
The important position that évêché Roman Catholic Oradea reached, representing the interests of the Hungarian Kingdom as much as those of the Pope, him were worth a special interest on behalf of the Hungarian Kingdom and Transylvania.

In these times, the two religious institutions functioned in castrum existing and whose position with 12th and 13th centuries required it displacement of the center of the medieval city the place of future Citadel, surrounded by several districts, a place with the changes permanent.

The chronicles written on the Citadel report the fact that in 1241, during the Tartar invasion of Oradea, the clay fortress had a form ovoid, as mentioned by the Rogerius monk in his miserable Carmaen.

After the seat, the local authorities had to think of rebuilding Citadel and to transform it into strengthened building, symbol of the capacity in place. Thus, after many restorations during the 16th century, after battle of Mohacs (1526) and the installation of the pashalik Buda (1540), princes Transylvania had the vast project to set up a fortress solid with Oradea, to resist the Turkish invasions.

The catch of being able by the Turks (1660-1692) was rather calm because those new leaders had the will to maintain reports/ratios cordial with the inhabitants of Oradea, in the obvious interest to ensure peace social with the daily newspaper.
The administration of Oradea was given between the hands of the pasha of Oradea during 30 years, which was also named captain of the Fortress. In consequence, the local authorities were replaced by officers Turkish, named to control the administration of the city, personnel Turkish soldier was creates and a new religious structure emerged for to answer their beliefs.
The annexation the Habsbourg Empire in 1692, after the victory against Turks, is one crucial moment in process of promotion of principal characteristics of modern times.

The new policy in the field of the administration, the economy, finances, culture and religion, concentrates on consolidation of the official centralism to give a complete control on territories belonging from now on Court of Vienna.

One of the first steps to make was to restore the Catholic Church in Central Europe, from where the presence of Évêché Novel-Catholic Oradea.
During more than 200 years, until 1918, the city knew much of territorial changes, and various factions installed having cooperated during centuries unified finally to create Oradea Pond.

The 19th century was one century decisive with regard to the development city installed on banks of the river Crisul Repede, passing from statute of medieval city that of a large city, defined by its modern urban design and its public facilities and institutional.
This orientation is built gradually in parallel with territorial and administrative unification. After 1860, Oradea Pond comprised four old cities: Oradea-Olosig, Oradea-Orasul Nou, Oradea-Sucetate and Oradea-Velenta, with a population of 18.404 inhabitants (Hungarian, Roumanians, Germans, Jews...) in 1850.

The next stage was to gain the statute of municipality (1870), but before reaching this statute, the town council which consisted of members of the civil company, tried to obtain a single administration, and, later, consolidation of economic autonomy and administrative in opposition with Catholic Romance Évêché and it Capitulum which still had the monopoly on the markets and the income of commercial activities.

After 1918, with a new geopolitical condition, the city was integrated in the administrative structure of the unified country, Romania Pond, characteristic of the period among the two world wars, and became the principal city of the district.

Approach of the Second World War of the negative effects on stability within the community of Oradea, influencing its intended in it who relates to the annexation of the city for a short period the State Hungarian.

According to Dictat of Vienna (August 30, 1940), the north-western part of Romania is annexed Hungary and will remain it until October 25, 1944, when the area is released from the occupation Austro-Hungarian woman by Rumanian and Soviet troops.
Oradea is released on 12 October of the same year and made new part from Romania, a state present Communist, and becomes again the principal one city of the area on March 9, 1945; later, in 1964, it becomes first city of Bihor, a political statute which makes it less accessible with new come settling.

The Revolution of 1989 does not involve any change in the statute administrative from the city but brings radical changes in electoral system of the town council. The mayors of the city are elected freely by the community, without interference of any higher capacity.
Facts and figures:
The zone known under the name of Oradea-Salca was inhabited by a population Thrace in the Bronze Age (2200-1150 before JC)
In 1113 Varadinum (Oradea) was mentioned for the first time under this toponymy
The Fortress was built between 1092 and 1095, destroyed by Tatars in 1241, then strengthened in second half of the 16th century
Between 11th and the 13th centuries, Oradea became an important center administrative catholic and monk, grace the foundation of Évêché Catholic novel during the reign of the King Ladislas I (1077-1095)
Under the Turkish influence of 1660 1692
Annexation the Habsbourg Empire in 1692
In 1870, Oradea Pond with the row of the municipalities
October 12, 1944, Oradea released from the occupation Austria-Hungarian woman by Rumanian troops and Soviet
Democratic election of the mayor and the town council
Without any doubt, the setting execution end of the 19th century of the agreement between the town council and the representatives of the Church Novel-Catholic fur one crucial moment, the Church renouncing its right centenary to pile up incomes of the customs taxes and the taxes paid for annual or weekly participations in the markets.

Small the city becomes conscious, on the level of the leaders and of community, of the need for creating a strategy which would allow him to anchor itself economically and institutionnellement within a recognized framework by the State and to get living conditions which meet the needs community of Oradea.
The final project related to the plan of the local authorities to modernize the streets according to an urban project, was to develop the new buildings and old. Around the year 1900, a project of construction became operational and materialized in the form of residences having a goal economic, institutional (educational and cultural), monk, and especially liveable.

The objective of this approach, often polarized in these times, was of to make of Oradea Pond a city with the statute of European city, i.e. satisfying the daily requests for artificial or natural comfort of its inhabitants, and developing economic activities and cultural which could generate prosperity and the spiritual success.
The Rumanian communist mode breaks down on December 22, 1989 and the news political situation which is followed from there allows has Oradea to rediscover its European vocation in the cultural and economic fields, of to regain its statute of city located at the crossroads of multiple roads: carry western from Romania for Europe, the Western bridge for Europe Eastern and the East. The city has present a privileged position and look with hope towards the future.
Economic, social, ethnic upheavals and monk in Romania these 10 last years have slightly affected Oradea, but its community finally showed itself rather wise; there is place for each alive ethnic group in the city: Rumanian, Hungarian, German, Jews, Slovak, Gipsies etc.
The private property developed, bringing the social wellbeing; social problems are in less number than in other large cities from Romania, but they exist nevertheless. The cultural emulation has found its force of antan, and the religious worships tried to offer one tally of tolerance and opening the communication.
At the beginning of the 3rd millennium, the town of Oradea is placed under the sign beliefs, Church, of a civil company which wishes, more than never, food its present and its future in dignity.

Ecology
rehabilitation of the heating system of the district
rehabilitation of the water network worn
safeguarding of the cultural inheritance, the fortress
parks, green zones, revitalization of banks of the river and the zones pedestrians
Thanks to its excellent geographical position, Oradea thrived economically and had commercial activities very early, as testify some the many corporations organized according to their profiles distinct and through multiple exposures or the merchants from all Europe and of the Middle East frequently gathered to sell their goods.
First economic activities and commercial, which became traditions thereafter, were taken again by the future generations. Contractors developed an industrial profile, factories which produced agricultural equipment, building materials, beer and alcohol, a light industry of goods. Banking institutions and of credit to the Hungarian capital, German and Rumanian created for the majority after 1850 had an important role in the stimulation of the urban development.
Nowadays, businessmen who seek partners of confidence, interested by investing or conquering new markets for their products, can find in Oradea the ideal place to start their activity. Here, there are more than ten thousand private companies covering a broad economic variety: industry, transport, manufacture, services and agriculture.
A businessman does not need to harness himself only with one of the branches of existing local industry bus Oradea must be regarded alternatively as a ground rich and able to correspond to any initiative.
Facts and figures:
More than 10.000 companies to the register of Oradea
25.000 companies with the register of Bihor
Principal activities: food industry, industry of manufacture (textile, shoes, vestimentary, leathers), industry of wood, chemistry, energy, building materials, machines, transport, trade, communication, real estate
Of the qualified personnel available
Oradea is also a social and cultural center important, more the humanistic hurdy-gurdy quoted of Transylvania. The evolutions in the religious and cultural fields were intended, inter alia, to promote the installation of a public and independent education system in the area.
Thanks to its excellent geographical position, Oradea thrived economically and had commercial activities very early, as testify some the many corporations organized according to their profiles distinct and through multiple exposures or the merchants from all Europe and of the Middle East frequently gathered to sell their goods.
First economic activities and commercial, which became traditions thereafter, were taken again by the future generations. Contractors developed an industrial profile, factories which produced agricultural equipment, building materials, beer and alcohol, a light industry of goods. Banking institutions and of credit to the Hungarian capital, German and Rumanian created for the majority after 1850 had an important role in the stimulation of the urban development.
Nowadays, businessmen which seek partners of confidence, interested by investing or conquering new markets for their products, can find in Oradea the ideal place to start their activity. Here, there is more than ten thousand private companies covering a broad variety 3rd
The Royal Academy, opened in 1780, is an example of encouragement of education while being the first step towards university education with Oradea, and by proposing studies of philosophy at the beginning, then of right in 1788. The School of Right functioned without interruption until a 1934 and we find from now on in Oradea the most dynamic university of the country.
Among the many cultural organizations of this period, the following ones deserve to be mentioned: the foundations Nicolae Jiga and Emanuil Gojdu intended to help orthodox Rumanian to inform themselves and cultivate themselves; Societatea of will lectura has tinerimii Romance Oradea Mare (the Club of Reading for the Youth of Oradea), who fought to develop his personal literary activities; the Club of Archaeology and History of Bihor (1871) whose members directed the creation of the museum of Oradea (1896);
ASTRA (Transylvanian Association for the Rumanian Literature and the Culture of the Rumanian people) founded with Oradea in 1867 with the support of Iosif Vulcan, Nicolae Zigre, Dr. Aurel Lazar, Nicolae Jiga; chorus of Hilaria (1875), very important in the musical life of the community; the association of the Fans of Music of Oradea Pond (1890), intended to make revive the music in the city; the Club Szigligeti (1891) supporting delicate arts and the communal bookshops, of which were members Iosif Vulcan and Ady Endre; the Holnap Club, initiate in 1908 to promote the Hungarian literature, in particular through the poet Ady Endre.
The press contributed primarily to the creation of a cultural climate even if the political and educational institutions tended to look towards the last History. For this reason the attempt at Iosif Vulcan and Ady Endre, spectacular personalities of Oradea, is all the more creditable because it was intended to serve their own nation through a cultural offer inspiring the mutual respect.
In 1865, this last published the Rumanian cultural magazine most important of Transylvania, Familia, who made honor at the beginnings of the Rumanian poet national Mihai Eminescu; this one was the Hungarian poet most important of the 20eme century, collaborator of Nagyvaradi Naplo, with other writers and Hungarian academic personalities, of which Tabery Geza.
The current cultural scene proposes works, traditional concerts, exposures and living rooms. The most significant events are the Days of the Fortress, each July, and the Festival of autumn, with for climax the Day of Oradea, October 12.
Facts and figures:
The Museum Tarii Crisurilor, a palate baroque built between 1762 and 1777 by the Austrian architect F.With.Hillebrandt; it was the Episcopal Palate Novel-Catholic and is composed of as many windows as days in the year, 365, and of 120 parts.
The National Theatre, 1899-1900, with representations of the sections of theatre Rumanian and Hungarian
The National Symphony orchestra.
The University with 15 faculties, 5 colleges and 2centres of research (geothermic and medicine) and more than 20.000 students.

With the turning of the 20eme century, Oradea Mare counted many buildings, who, since the whole beginning, were very particular, of share their special frontages and roofs, their structure interns (parts with the high ceilings, courses with external corridors, polished parquet floors with wish).
These buildings were with the style of the day of the citizens of the time, by creating a specific environment, if it is considered that the majority of them are of Sécession style, intended to express an innovating aesthetic tendency at artistic and architectural level.
Fusion enters arts of 1900 and one life of every day’s European mentality, carcaterized by a conspiring attitude Gipsies, by an explosion of energies, dissimulated during centuries in the shade of a mentality which could not give up the tender, influenced enormously the human behavior.
The urban reality of the last century can be identified even today through the buildings with the various styles, baroque, classicist, eclectic, secession, and give to the city this will have originality:
The Regional Library Gheorghe Sincai, 1903, initially the Palate of catholic Évêché Greco, 1903-1904
The Church with the moon, built in 1784
The Catholic Cathedral Novel, the largest monument baroque in Romania, fact part of one of the greatest architectural sets of this kind in Central and Eastern Europe, with also the Episcopal Palate and Hermits Row
The Palate of the Black Eagle, 1907-1909 with a gallery out of tinted glass
The Apollo Palate, 1912-1914
The Hotel Catholics, 1902 (Emke De luxe hotel)
The geographical position, very rich history, the beauty of the buildings as well as geothermal water and its miraculous curative effects support potential tourism and various entertaining activities. Hotels and restaurants of great quality, night clubs, stylés bars, pubs and disco music’s, parks and clubs of gym can make it possible to be initiated with relieving and to be offered good moments in family or between friends.
The Rumanian kitchen is a good surprise and answers all the tastes. You can also find restaurants with the more specific kitchens: Hungarian woman, Irish, Italian, American, Greek or Chinese.

One of the obvious advantages of Oradea is the marvellous landscape which surrounds it. Baile Felix and Baile May 1, two famous thermal spas recognized for their basins filled with geothermal water, are located at 10 minutes of the city in the car.
In alternative, you can go in two hours in the Apuseni mountains, and to visit the Cave of the Bear, a treasure for the speleologists and a delight for the tourists, where it is also possible to admire single karstic reliefs and also the relics of the Spaleaus Bear, a species which disappeared there is more than 150.000 years and whose bones and skeleton still strew the ground with the cave.
Stina de Vale, a ski resort with tracks for the subscribers of the winter sports, and a center of holidays of summer for the others, is a perfect place for the excursion or to go to the tourist places most picturesque.
At each season, these mountains limestones offer unforgettable images of an authentic natural environment where trees, the rivers and the caves are a delight for the eye, the body and the heart.
Facts and figures:
Baile Felix and Baile May 1: hotels with all modern comfort, restaurants, bars, swimming pools, centers of re-arrangement and several basins where the very rare water lilies lotus thermalis push (water lotus)
The Apuseni mountains: The Cave of the Bear, Stina de Vale, Yellow Valley, Formerly, the Citadel of Swallow hole and much of other places
As everyone can notice it, Oradea is a city open to many opportunities and interests because it is acted in fact of a place which attracts the tour operators, or the university awaits the students Rumanian or foreign for courses of summer or regular, and which offers a framework favourable with the development of the trade or industrial activities
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