Timisoara - Little Viena of the East

The first part of the day covers a walking tour through the former citadel area (2,5-3 hours).
It is the place where renowned architects and craftsmen of the Habsburg Empire were sent to, in order to imprint the Viennese style of the eighteen hundreds, thus Timişoara became a smaller scaled reflexion of the Imperial town.   

Union square
The most bourgeois area of Timişoara will charm you with its 18th century architecture entailed by the following buildings: the Catholic Cathedral, the Canons regular houses, the Baroque Palace today seat of the Museum of Fine Arts and the entire western side of the square the Serbian Orthodox Church, alongside Serbian Bishop's Residence. On the other hand 19th and 20th architectural masterpieces are also present: the former banks Agricola and Discount or the former inn At the Elephant.

Close to the Union square, the Jewish quarter, with the slender figure of the Moorish style Synagogue, underlines the harmony in which all the ethnic groups of Timişoara have lived for centuries. On the other side of the square, the last piece of the 18th century fortification lies: the Theresia Bastion, close to which the large, Renaissance style law court lies – the Dicasterial Palace. Not far, the Catholic Archbishop’s palace can also be found. Still in the same area, the Descahn Palace and Mercy palaces were built for two of the most preeminent figures of the entire Banat region in the 18th century.

The Liberty Square
Brings back memories of the military past, reflects in the buildings of the Garrison and the Military Circle. The former Town Hall with Timisoara’s coat of arms and the statue of Virgin Mary and Saint Nepomuk are also therein.

The Victory Square renowned for the dramatic anticommunist revolution of 1989. Two major landmarks are facing each other across the square of the square: the National Theatre and Opera House (one building) and the Orthodox Mitropolitan Cathedral, consecrated in the presence of his majesty, king Michael I.
In between the two Secession-style palaces adorn the western side of the square. The medieval Huniade Castle right next to the square holds the oldest site in Timişoara – the Knights’ Wing and today’s regional Banat Museum. Behind the castle and in front of the Cathedral memorials to the revolution martyrs were built.
Lunchtime.

The afternoon is reserved for the visit of three other historic districts*: Josefin, Elisabetin and Fabric, towards which bus transportation will be provided. The first two districts are mainly residential; whilst the later was the productive one: all the factories were located here. Nonetheless, the Trajan square located here has almost as many palaces and churches as the residential ones.
Dinner: at the Beer Factory’s Restaurant

*Optional: the historic districts programme can be changed with a walk though one of the largest and oldest parks of Timişoara: The Roses Park.