Yesterday I had to go to Kolozsvár (Cluj Napoca in Romanina), for official business and although I had very little time at my disposal, I managed to take a few shots at the historical city center, before and after my meeting.
Cluj-Napoca, (Hungarian: Kolozsvár, German: Klausenburg), is the second-most populous city in Romania and the seat of Cluj County in the northwestern part of the country. Located in the Someșul Mic river valley, the city is considered the unofficial capital of the historical province of Transylvania. For some decades prior to the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, it was the official capital of the Grand Principality of Transylvania. source
The most known place of the city is the main square, with the statue of King of Hungary Matthias Corvinus and the St. Michael's Church behind it.
Matthias I, or Matthias Corvinus (Hungarian: Hunyadi Mátyás; Romanian: Matia/Matei Corvin; 23 February 1443 – 6 April 1490), was King of Hungary and Croatia from 1458 to 1490. After conducting several military campaigns, he was elected King of Bohemia in 1469 and adopted the title Duke of Austria in 1487. He was the son of John Hunyadi, Regent of Hungary, who died in 1456. In 1457, Matthias was imprisoned along with his older brother, Ladislaus Hunyadi, on the orders of King Ladislaus the Posthumous. Ladislaus Hunyadi was executed, causing a rebellion that forced King Ladislaus to flee Hungary. After the King died unexpectedly, Matthias's uncle Michael Szilágyi persuaded the Estates to unanimously proclaim the 14-year-old Matthias as king on 24 January 1458. source
It's an impressive and complex statue, or group of statues I should say and I wanted to take more photos, close-ups, but mother nature decided to send rain on me. Yes, why not make my job harder, right? So I needed to hold my umbrella and try to take some half decent photos.
The St. Michael's Church, or Szent Mihály-templom in Hungarian, is the second largest church in Transylvania, Romania and its tower is the highest of the region. I had the pleasure to walk in and visit the interior as well, so I'm going to post about it soon as I want to show you the beauty of this 577 year old architectural masterpiece.
Being in the heart of the historical center, the square is surrounded by old and historical buildings, dating back to a few centuries. This is the Central Hotel and I assume what you see on the wall is the restoration of the original name (sorry for cutting it so brutally). If you'd like to live in an old, historical hotel, updated to modern standards, close to everything, this may be one place you should check out.
It's like the buildings framing the square are in an architectural beauty competition. One is more beautiful than the other and walking around is like a walk back in the 18th, 19th century.
The only things that remind you of the year we're living in are cars and public transportation means.
The architecture of this important city is pretty much similar to what you find in major European city centers.
The museum of history, which it wasn't possible to visit this time, but it's on my list and will definitely make time next I'm visiting the city.
The end of February and the beginning of March is always the time for craft fairs as the Martisor and Women's International Day is celebrated. There was a craft fair going on, at the Museum Square, in front of the Franciscan Church.
The Franciscan Church, dating back to 1290, was under renovation. It is a real beauty, but I could not see it with my own eyes, so this is also on my list.
Some of the streets around the Museum Square are pedestrian streets, paved with cobblestones, dating back to a couple of centuries. There are bars, restaurants, cafes, terraces where you can have a cold drink on a hot day, or a nice meal.
One block from the Museum Square, there's the memorial house of "Mátyás az igazságos", Matthias the just. This is what Matthias Corvinus was called. He was born in this house on March 27, in 1443.
It is considered one of the oldest building of the city.
This part of the city must be nice at night. There are light bulbs hanging down, that most likely illuminate these old streets nicely.
Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania.
Bistro Vienna, wish a very nice design and an even nicer welcoming message: "Warm your body and soul".
Back to the main square, it is a famous tourist attraction, therefore there are a lot of cafes, bars and restaurants with nice terraces waiting for you.
There was a market at the square, but unfortunately visitors were totally lacking, due to the rain.
It was quite frustrating to have only a couple of hours and rain as well to deal with, but at least now I have a plan about what to visit next time and I'm doing everything to make time and go back to visit what I couldn't this time.
If you're a newbie, you may want to check out these guides:
