City tours of Timișoara relaxing walks in a historical urban landscape

There are many occasions, on which a city tour of Timișoara is welcomed: a Timișoara­based company has guests from abroad, or a group of tourists wishes to visit Timișoara as part of a larger roundtrip of a.s.o. For all of these situations we offer our 8 years of experiences with the city tours of Timișoara. What does Timișoara offer? • the Romanian city with the highest numbers of buildings Short city tour military casino, Turkish cannons, depending on time perhaps also registered as monuments – they the nearby synagogue and the Our most popular city tour contains cover almost entirely four old area of the old hospitals. districts (neighbourhoods) the downtown (quarter “Cetate”, the former “Inner City”) and catches • Union Square (former Dome Sq.) • with the Catholic dome-church, a highly interesting history, the essential of Timiș oara: countless Serbian-Orthodox cathedral, with countless interesting old buildings in the styles of Art European connections President's Palace (“Baroque Nouveau or Baroque, large Palace”, today Arts Museum), • a multicultural background pedestrianized squares filled with other old palais, statue of the Holly European history, the multicultural Trinity (“Pillar of the Plague”) a.s.o. • dramatic events of character of the city and of the • The “Bastion” area: remains of contemporary history: the Banat region (”in the Banat, even the huge (post-)Vauban-type beginning of the Romanian the dog barks in four languages”). fortress of Timiș oara. Revolution of December 1989 Especially suitable for people On each of this points, we answer the basic questions: When? Who? Why? • a young, dynamic atmosphere coming to Timiș oara on (university centre) But don't expect this to be so simple professional visits, and don't have and straightforward. This basic much spare time. The short city tour questions often lead to in-depth fits smoothly between the busy work discussions – history shows in Of course, there are piles of schedule and dinner. Timiș oara its complicated ways... Our information available about this city. guidings are far from “reciting a poetry”. But let's cut the long story short: Route. Whatever the exact route might Even if we conduct many of this “short everybody had to do with be (this might differ slightly, depending city tours” each year, there are hardly on pick-up point and the exact interests Timișoara: from Maria Theresia, to two of them quite the same. of the guests), we will visit all of the Franz Joseph, and from Sigismund ”must-see” points of Timiș oara: Duration: some 1½ to 2 hours. This of Luxemburg, to Nicolae depends a lot on your time and interest • Victory Square (or ”Opera Ceaușescu. in the topics. Are you fascinated Square” with the locals), with the by history & old architecture, It's your turn now! Romanian-Orthodox cathedral and have many questions? (visit inside, if opened), Opera We're glad! House and Theatre, On our side, (Wiener Secession) palaces on the there's no ”Corso”-row, the events which took problem if place in the square during the the tour Revolution. takes • Liberty Square with the Old City 2½ hours. Hall (with the Turkish inscription),

tymes tours www.tymestours.ro city tours of Timiș oara travel agent & tour operator in Timisoara, Romania relaxing walks in a historical urban landscape Medium city tour The tour ends at the Timiș oreana ”Beer for explaining details and social or Factory” (brewery). The beer production historical trends, of which even started already 1718, being initially This is a step further (or “deeper”) many local people are not aware. intended especially for the soldiers of There is also enough time for coffee than the previous tour, for you to the Austrian army (!). We can not visit know this fascinating city. We visit the brewery inside, but there are here breaks in-between, whenever we the downtown (similar to the “short nice places to have a beer: the large, need to recharge the batteries. old hall (in winter) or the Biergarten city tour”), but then head east and Route. We start in the downtown (summertime). Actually, the restaurant see the old neighbourhood called (”Inner City”) just like in the previous of the brewery can be considered for a “Fabric” - this is basically a two versions. The centre of Timiș oara is full lunch or meal (prices more than beautiful display of valuable certainly the best place to explain the reasonable, but the service somewhat basics about the city's evolution, before architecture. After receiving slow). insightful infos, we deserve a beer getting into details. On the other side, break at the oldest brewery in this city area is full of first-hand monuments – many of which appeared (nowadays) Romania. in connection with European events. Route. The first part (some 1.5 hrs) is Then we move to the Fabric similar to the short city tour described neighbourhood. After seeing the previously: we visit the sites on Victory complex of Art Nouveau architecture Square, Liberty Sq. and Union Sq., near the bridge, the Millennium church respectively. From the Bastion we then and Traian Square, we can have a head east, passing by the former break at the brewery (just as an idea... German high-school “Banatia” (now there many other spots for a coffee University of Medicine) and the County break, but, once we leave the Office (“prefectura”) - a place which downtown, not so many where we can knew a very troubled time during the also eat). Revolution in December 1989. Following is a transfer (by tram, taxi or Then we cross the river on the hired bus, depending on group size, former “Parkstraßenbrücke” (now weather, mood) to neighbour- Decebal bridge) and reach the Fabric Duration: 3 to 4 hours, depending hood (there are a few good places here district. The whole area makes a especially on the time spent at the to eat, as well). There is much less wonderful reserve of Art Nouveau brewery; the tour without the bear break traffic here, so we can focus better on architecture: the fancy bridge, the takes ca. 2½ hours. the architecture – like the Secession richly-decorated “palais” of the bourgeoisie, the gate of the park – they all belong to this style. Behind the park is the Neologue synagogue, lavishly adorned with “Moorish” touches. As we pass the large-scaled Millennium church (neo-Romanesque), we get near the heart of the Fabric district. This is the Traian Square, surrounded by other nice examples of old architecture (Art Nouveau and Classicism).

houses built by the architect Martin Gemeinhardt, and also on the events Big city tour which triggered the Revolution: the first episodes of the mass movements took This city tour takes a whole day, for place on St. Mary Square (Piaț a Maria), those of you passionate about at the border between the districts history, historical architecture, and Elisabetin and Iosefin. observing the “real life” of the Next is Iosefin: the main boulevard is locals. We visit all the old districts bordered with impressive buildings. of Timiș oara, starting with the Among countless large houses of the downtown, then Fabric (lunch break bourgeoisie, we can also see here the Catholic complex of the nuns' order of possible at the brewery) next we Notre Dame, the Orthodox synagogue continue to Elisabetin and, lastly, and also the Baroque Catholic parish Iosefin. During this we take our time church. You might be pretty tired by

tymes tours www.tymestours.ro city tours of Timiș oara travel agent & tour operator in Timisoara, Romania relaxing walks in a historical urban landscape now – in which case we stay “on the unprecedented economical revival, human side” and cut short some of the which chronologically coincided with long stories. the ascension of the architecture At the end of the day, the guests will based on the ”coup de fouet” in probably be exhausted, but certainly Western Europe. The timing was just filled with interesting new (hi)stories. perfect. Duration: 5-6 hours, even up to 8 Route. There are two possible routes hours, including the breaks. There is no for 99the Art Nouveau heritage of rush on our side, he are happy to meet Timi oara: people highly interested in our city. ș 1. The centre (”Inner City”) and the Fabric district City tour of the 2. The centre (”Inner City”) and the Art Nouveau heritage districts of Iosefin and Elisabetin. Hard to say which of the two is better... In the last decades, the Art Nouveau The location of your hotel might also How did Timiș oara's chief-architect Székely László reshaped the outlook of has been quite “trendy”. Many play a role, also the existence of the city around 1910 is the main topic of European cities rush to promote it. restaurants (the restaurants in Iosefin and Elisabetin might meet higher discussions in this area. Here in Timiș oara, only (very) few tastes, than those in the Fabric). Next, we cross the Bega. Near the are aware of what a stunning Following, we describe the 2nd route. German consulate we have the hidden heritage of Art Nouveau is to be We start in Piaț a Unirii; even here, in Piaț a Plevnei (Plevna Sq.), where we admired. The Art Nouveau (also ”Timiș oara's Baroque treasure find the most elaborate houses of known as Jugendstil, but here, in chamber”, the beginning of the XX-th architect Martin Gemeinhardt, but also Timiș oara, rather as ”Secession” century brought in some refreshing buildings from other architects – because of the Viennese affiliation) changes: we have here two outstanding including from Székely. A comparison is virtually all over the place. Secession palaces (Brück and Steiner, between the two artists is quite handy respectively), coming from different here. We conclude the tour with some In this city tour, we don't just talk architects – and hence, with distinctive large palais built on the boulevard about buildings and architects. A features. On the narrow streets of the separating the districts of Elisabetin and great deal of explanation goes to Inner City, the evolution was the same: Iosefin. understanding the social and some older houses, modest and small, Duration: cca. 2 ½ hours. It is economical situation which led to were punctually replaced around 1910 recommended to take this city tour the surprisingly abundant flourishing with much larger ones, belonging to the during day time (under day light), in new style. In the Victory Square, the of this architecture. At the order to notice better the architectural place was free from the beginning for details. beginning of the XX-th century, large-scaled buildings; here appeared Timiș oara was still part of the between 1910 and 1914 one of the Habsburg Empire, the largest chunk most coherent complexes of Art City tour of the of inhabitants were German- Nouveau buildings in Europe. The size speakers. The demolition of the of this buildings reminds on the large Revolution in December fortress wall lead to an palaces of the Ringstrasse in Viena. 1989

It is easy today to resume the events in Timiș oara in December 1989 into simple sentences, like ”Here started the Revolution which lead to the fall of the communist dictator Nicolae Ceauș escu”. However, real life is never so straightforward. In this city tour, we start by presenting Timiș oara's (and Romania's) situation in 1989, and then move on to very beginning of the mass movement. We then follow how the events gained momentum, and finally talk about the bloodshed on Timiș oara's street and squares. Optional, but recommended: a visit of the Memorial of the Revolution, a

tymes tours www.tymestours.ro city tours of Timiș oara travel agent & tour operator in Timisoara, Romania relaxing walks in a historical urban landscape collection of documents about the who took part in the events and Romanian language. The Hungarian events, as well as about the was eventually wounded. The language is also sometimes communist regime. memorial is actually a private requested. collection, and Mr. Orban is not Understanding the details of those always available (sometimes busy The city tours take place only on days is meaningful. In Romania, on short notice), this is why we can request. There are no daily city tours many legends have developed not guarantee this visit. by fixed schedules. afterwards, even many people of Duration: around 2 hrs. (short version) Starting point & ending point. Timiș oara forgot the mesmerizing to 3 hrs (version including ”Memorialul There are not a 100% fixed points for Revolu iei”). atmosphere of those days. Just to ț the start and for the end of the city mention: this city tour would be tour; at many times, we pick up the highly recommended to many of our guests from the hotel (when it has fellow citizens, from time to time... central location), and start right with explanations about the hotel's environment. Just the same, the tours end often right in front of a chosen restaurant. So, we set these points together with the guests. Additional services. There is normally no need for transportation, but we can arrange that when needed – including transfers from / to the hotel or airport. For aprés-tour: we can arrange meals (dinners, lunches) or wine-tastings outside Timiș oara (Reca ș , Buzia ș , Mini ș ), or recommend places. Flexibility is one of our concerns. We encourage the guests to express their Route. We start in the Maria Square – Other +/- technical data fields of interests, to ask questions; were the whole thing started. The we don't know everything, but we Calvinist parish house has seemingly about our city tours might have some interesting nothing special to it; but on December information or hints. We can also Our city tours are essentially 15th, 1989, the regime lost here grip of easily operate changes of the sites to walking tours. Timi oara is not well the masses for the first time in decades. ș visit during the city tours, on spot, We then follow the chain of the events, suitable for sightseeing tours by bus according to your wishes. and move on to the Victory Square – (out of many reasons), even if we the name says it all. And yet, many sometimes have to organize such Contact. Please send your enquiries lives went lost here on December 17th bus tours. Even then, we try to make or bookings at [email protected] or and 18th, till the speakers could talk as many stops as possible. Out of use phone +40 256 203015. freely about a ”victory” on December experience, we can highly Sometimes we are very busy (or off in 20th in the balcony of the Opera House. recommend the walking tours in the mountains for hiking tours), you Today only a few holes in some houses Timiș oara: one notices much more can also try the mobile phone speak of the thousands of bullets shot captivating details, there is also much +40 722 525734 (Cristian Bădoiu, those days. The Liberty Square was more interaction with the guide. manager and guide). also war theatre on December 17th, just as the area of Piaț a 700 food market Rates. The prices for the tours are was; both area were raided by tanks, varying a lot, depending on the time people were shot without warning. of the year, size of the group, There are two options next: available guides. We are happy to send you a price offer for each 1. We can continue the tour towards request. the County Office (the ”prefectura”, headquarter of the Communist Languages. We conduct the city tour Party in the old days, and scenery frequently in English and German – for many bloody episodes), and for these languages we can in most then to Decebal Bridge, where cases organize a city tour even on many people were shot. short notice. Much less often, the city 2. We can visit ”Memorialul tours are being held in Serbian, Revoluț iei”, were we talk to Mr. French, Italian. And, surprisingly Orban, manager of the memorial, seldom, we have requests for tours in

tymes tours www.tymestours.ro city tours of Timiș oara travel agent & tour operator in Timisoara, Romania relaxing walks in a historical urban landscape

“Inner City” - or, in Romanian, “cartier Cetate”.

This the centre of the city, the downtown. There is a high density of monuments spread on narrow streets or on large, pedestrianized squares. Fabric district. Most foreigners coming to Timiș oara only see this central district, and nothing else. This is OK if you Was the larges suburb of Timiș oara already in the only have little time. XVIII-th century; actually, already then in the Fabric lived more people than in the Inner City. There are All of our city tours include this area. thousands of old houses here, of which the complex of Secession architecture in the western part of the district is the most interesting. Also the city's brewery is located in the Fabric district.

The Fabric district is included within: - the Medium City Tour - the Big City Tour

Alternatively, we can also arrange a city tour of the Art Nouveau (Secession) architecture.

Source: Google Maps

Inner City

Fabric

Iosefin

Elisabetin

Iosefin district and Elisabetin district.

Quite close to each other, this districts had pretty different histories and functions within the city. In the late XIX-th century and at the beginning of the XX-th century both districts developed rapidly, in both size and quality of the buildings. The result is a nice display of architecture, the Art Nouveau (Secession) being very valuable.

The two districts are included within: - the Big City Tour - the City Tour of the Art Nouveau heritage - the City Tour of the Revolution in December 1989

It is also possible to organize a city tour just for these two districts.

tymes tours www.tymestours.ro city tours of Timiș oara travel agent & tour operator in Timisoara, Romania relaxing walks in a historical urban landscape