Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
nonicilor; Str Sirul Canonicilor)
, just east of the cathedral, forms a series of 57 arches
built between 1750 and 1875, part of the original Baroque design as laid out by the Austri-
an master architect FA Hillebrandt.
Orthodox Synagogue
(
www.oradeajc.com
;
Str Mihai Viteazul 4; closed to the public)
Oradea's Orthodox
synagogue dates from 1890, and before WWII was the main house of worship for around
a third of the city's residents. It survived the war intact, but was badly neglected afterward
and is now undergoing a thorough multiyear renovation. Though it was closed during our
visit due to the renovation work on the synagogue, you can contact the
Jewish Commu-
nity Centre
( 0359-191 021;
www.fcer.jewishfed.ro
;
Str Mihai Viteazul 4)
to take a
look inside.
Just behind and to the left of the Orthodox synagogue is a small Holocaust Memorial
(closed during our visit) to remember the around 30,000 Oradea Jews who perished. Most
of the victims were executed at the German Nazi extermination camp at Auschwitz-
Birkenau in Poland following a series of transports in May-June 1944, after being forced
to live in a cramped, sealed ghetto. The ghetto was located in the area surrounding the
synagogue and remains depressed to this day.
JEWISH
Zion Temple Synagogue
(Neolog Synagogue;
www.oradeajc.com
;
Str Independenţei 22; closed to the public)
Of the reform arm of Judaism and dating from 1878, this synagogue with its graceful
dome is one of the most striking elements of the Oradea skyline. The synagogue was un-
dergoing renovation to transform it into an exhibition centre during our visit and it was
not clear when it would reopen to the public.
JEWISH
Cetatea Oradea
(Piaţa Independenţei; closed for renovation)
Oradea's fortress dates from the 15th and
16th centuries and played a key role in conflicts between the Turks, Austrians and Hun-
garians over the years. The fortress is shaped like a pentagon, with five towers and thick
defensive walls. At the time of writing it was closed for long-term renovation, but you can
still stroll around the outside.
FORTRESS
