Top of the Most Beautiful Buildings in Oradea

Oradea, in the west of the country, is one of the most thriving and cosmopolitan cities, inhabited by Romanians, Hungarians, Italians, Germans and others. Thanks to this, the city’s development also drew on part of this cultural heritage.

Certainly another important step in the development of tourism and more in the city was the investment made by the local authorities. The city took on a new look, all the tourist gems were showcased, and as a result Oradea excels architecturally.

Also known as the Art Nouveau capital of Romania, Oradea is “packed” with an impressive number of buildings that belong to this style. For you, we have prepared a top of the most impressive buildings that you can visit on a short city break.

1. The Black Eagle Palace is certainly one of the most beautiful and emblematic buildings in the city. The work of the well-known architects Komor Marcell and Jakab Dezső, it was built in the Secession style between 1907 and 1908. When it opened, the building housed a casino, hotel and restaurant, all brought together under a glass-covered passage.

2. The Moskovits Miksa Palace is on Republicii Street and is emblematic of the architecture typical of Oradea around 1900. It is representative of Oradea and is also the most photographed building in the city. It was built on the initiative of the engineer Moskovits Mitsa, to plans by the architect Rimanóczy Kálmán. It is in the Art Nouveau style, and now has commercial space on the ground floor and apartments on the upper floors.

3. The Baroque Complex, the most important building of its kind in Romania and one of the most representative in Europe, is made up of three monuments: the Baroque Palace (one of the most valuable buildings in the country, with 100 rooms and 365 windows – one for each day of the year); the Roman Catholic Basilica, one of the most beautiful basilicas in Europe and the largest in Romania; and the Canons’ Row, made up of 10 buildings linked by 57 arcades.

4. The Ullmann Palace, another symbol of Viennese Secession, was built in 1913, the intention being to turn it into a monumental shopping centre. The architectural details representative of the building are the stucco medallions, brick buttons, stained glass and ceramic bas-relief.

5. The Rimanóczy Kálmán Senior Palace was built in an eclectic style with Gothic elements, and is considered a simplified copy of the Ca’ d’Oro palace in Venice. The owner and builder was the architect Kálmán Rimanóczy senior, and the designer was his own son. The exterior of the palace shows details and decorative elements from the most flourishing period of the Venetian Gothic style, with frequent use of Byzantine and Moorish elements.

In an earlier article you will find more tourist attractions in Oradea: Tourist attractions in Oradea - 10 places you should not miss