Discover the charm of Timișoara / A city full of history and culture
Timișoara, the enchanting city in western Romania, impresses with a fascinating mix of Byzantine, Baroque and modernist architecture. The city’s cultural life is particularly reflected in its elegant baroque buildings that adorn the large squares.
Victoriaplatz, the place where Timișoara was declared Romania’s first free city in 1989, is a reminder of historical moments. Unirii Square, on the other hand, is home to magnificent Baroque buildings such as the Baroque Palace and the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral. The imposing monument to the Holy Trinity can also be found here.
Timișoara Fortress, once the largest military fortress in Romania, shaped the city’s history until its demolition in the 20th century. The decision enabled the development of the city center.
The historical journey of Timișoara begins with a disputed first documentary mention in 1212 or 1266. Once part of Timiș county in the Hungarian kingdom, the town developed into a controlling authority over the Banat Plain due to its strategic location. Timișoara experienced a boom under King Charles Robert of Anjou in the 14th century, when he built a royal palace here and moved the capital of Hungary there during the feudal anarchy.
Iancu de Hunedoara wrote a special chapter in 1440 when he turned Timișoara into a military center. The fortress remained in the possession of the Corvinists until 1490. On December 20, 1989, Timișoara was declared Romania’s first city to be liberated from communism.
Today, Timișoara presents itself as a multicultural city with influences from German, Hungarian, Serbian, Bulgarian, Italian and Greek communities. Its cultural heritage is reflected in the largest collection of historical buildings in Romania, especially in the districts of Cetate, Iosefin and Fabric.
The city’s tourist appeal is reflected in its impressive architecture, which features elements of Viennese Baroque. Timișoara, also known as “Little Vienna” and “City of Parks”, impresses visitors with its historic buildings and rich cultural diversity. Discover this cultural jewel that presents past and present in harmony.
Timișoara fascinates not only with its history, but also with innovative milestones. Around 137 years ago, the city became the first European city with electric street lighting. On 12 November 1884, 731 lamps lit up the city center and illuminated almost 60 kilometers of streets with electric light*. This milestone not only set a record in Europe, but also secured Timișoara 2nd place worldwide, just behind New York.
The historic decision to switch to electric street lighting made Timișoara a pioneer and shaped its identity as an innovative city. The 731 illuminated crown jewels bear witness to an age of progress and created a lively atmosphere in the streets.
Plan your next vacation in Timișoara and discover a city that combines history, culture and innovation. Leave Timișoara with unforgettable memories and impressive photos, wrapped in the charm of a city that proudly presents its uniqueness. 
