Sights in Timisoara

Even if you don't always find them in the official brochures, there are also some things you may encounter in your way through Timisoara. They don't have written explanations, which makes it more difficult to be found by tourists. Here are some of them:

The House of Prince Eugen of Savoya- on the street with same name, where once was one of the tenth gates of the Timisoara fortress: "poarta forforosa".  This Austrian nobleman was an important figure in Timisoara's history, as he eliberated the city from the occupation of Turkish Empire. In 1817 the gate was demolished and the house the survives today was built instead. Above the main entrance there's a nice bas-relief depicting the image of the gate. (Don't be discouraged that the protecting-glass is a little opaque...)

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The Synagogue (Marasesti street, no 6)- not available for visiting, but still an impressive Jewish monument. Built between 1863 - 1865 in the central quarter Cetate (Fortress), a project of the Viennese architect Ignatz Schuhmann, in a style that reflects the old community of Spanish Jews in Timisoara. Its capacity is of almost 3.000 people. From 1865 it was used by Mosaic Jews for almost 100 years.

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Museum of Banat (Huniade Square, no 1)- hosted by the Castle of Huniades, the old residence of Huniade noblemen. Since 1872 it was the main institution to display the most important artefacts in Banat region. It has four main sections: History, Archeology, Etnography and Natural Sciences and also a special conservation and restauration laboratory. Since 2006 the Art section became the Museum of Art Timisoara. Amongst its attractions: the Neolitic Sanctuary from Parta- a unique monument in Europe and a rare collection of violins that once belonged to a passionate craftsman Cornel Suboni.
visiting hours: 10 pm- 4 am every day except Monday
website: www.muzeulbanatului.ro (unfortunately there is no English version)
Tip: as this institution is very often in renovation, you may assure it is available for visiting, by contacting the museum stuff before:
by phone: +40 (0)256 491339 
by e-mail:  muzeul.banatului@yahoo.com


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 The religious art collection below the Orthodox (or Metropolitan) Cathedral- located in the center of Timisoara. Everyone knows the cathedral (tip: metropolitan comes from bishop, not from metropolis ) which is the protected by the Saint John the New from Partos, whose relics can be seen here.  But few know the treasure that is waiting under the cathedral: hundreds of old sacred images and books are gathered here, from all the parts of the country: 3000 rare religious books, over 800 icons and paintings, 130 church objects and so on.
Romania has a 2000 year orthodox heritage which is worth knowing, not only for the aesthetic dimension, but also for its spiritual load.