Alba Iulia (literally, White Julia), is where Romanian royalty has been crowned
and where the ceremony for the Unification of Transvilvania with the rest of the Kingdom put Alba Iulia on the map.
The old town centre is still the thriving heart, with public institutions, churches and tourist attractions
cloistered in the old castle ramparts in one of Romania's most beautiful cities.
The downtown area is lined with hotels and pensiunes, and the nearby Apuşeni Mountains
draw the crowds in summer and winter. Alba Iulia has what the discerning international tourist wants in a sweet old Roman market town -- charm, history and loads of gorgeous old buildings too!
The new
Rest
Romania Gallery
has photos from our contributors showing the best of Romania!
Alba Iulia is a city in County Alba in western Transylvania.
It's really quite important to Romanians, being the site of two unifications
of Transilvania through history.
With a population of 66,369 with the pleasant
Mureş
River running through it, Alba Iulia is historically important for
both Hungarians and Romanians. In 1921 Romania's second
King and Queen were crowned in the
Orthodox Cathedral here.
From a tourist point of view the city holds pride
of place. There are many places of interest but the
Citadel is undoubtedly the most important one.
The
Roman Catholic Cathedral can be found here. It is the oldest and
most valuable monument of architecture in Transylvania. The
Unification Cathedral stands next to it and symbolizing the Romanian
people's ideal of unity
1 December, Alba's Day
The First of December, the Romanian National Holiday, is a super
time for visiting Alba and seeing all the potential of the city!
Even since ancient times Alba's territory has been
a heart of human civilization. Indeed, the local Transilvanian folklore,
traditions and customs have always been great attractions for Romanian
and foreign tourists. Hungarian for Alba Iulia is
Gyulafehérvár, and Germans refer to it as
either Karlsburg or Weißenburg.
Union Hall
This symbolic building galvanizes
Romanian ethnic and nationalist spirits, and is marked on the
consciousness of Romanian people as the place of one of the
most important events of the national history, the Union or
Transilvania with Romania (again) on the 1st of December 1918.
Photo: Govt Source
It was in Union Hall that Transilvania was once again reunited with
Great Romania in 1918.
In this hall, the session of the great national Assembly
took place, on the 1st December 1918, and decided the unification of
Transylvania with Romania, and therefore of the Unitary National state.
The original documents of the Union are exhibited
here together with the flags carried by the delegates from the whole
country for this great event. See
More in History below
Some great offers for tourists have been financed
through EU projects such as: "Alba Iulia-The Gate to the Wine Citadel",
and the "Hunting circuit on Sebes valley" - pattern projects that managed
to certify about 82 guest houses which provide accommodation for 370
guests.
If you have some information for us about Alba Iulia
or County Alba, please Let us know about
it now! We appreciate all of your efforts!
The Bathyaneum library is a former church,
built in baroque style.
In 1780, Ignatiu Bathyany, bishop of Transilvania and a
passionate bibliophile, transformed the inside of the former
church to outfit it for it's present use as a library.
It is famous all over the world for its
ample series of manuscripts, incunabula and rare books, such
as Codex Aureus (9th century), also known as the Lorsch Gospel,
containing Marcu and Matei Gospel, David’s Psalter, Codex Burgundus
(15th century), Biblia Sacra (13th century) the Pentateuch from
Orastie (1850), Serba Cantacuzino`s Bible, the New testament
from Balgrad (1648). The first astronomical observatory
was founded here in 1792.
The Apor Palace is situated nearby the Bathyaneum Library.
It belonged to the prince Apor, and had been built in the second
half of the 17th century.
At the beginning of the 18th century it
was the residence of the Austrian army leader, prince Steinville.
In the same historically period, the building had been added
some excellent interior baroque decorated portals.
The Upper City
The main historical area of Alba Iulia is the upper city, developed
extensively by Charles VI of the Holy Roman Empire.
The Habsburgs renamed the city Karlsburg in honor of Charles. The
upper city's fortress with 7 bastions, in a stelar shape, was constructed
between 1716-1735 by Giovanni Morando Visconti, using the Vauban system
- the largest of this kind in south-eastern Europe, containing the Gothic
Catholic cathedral and the Batthyaneum, a library of rare manuscripts
founded in 1794.
The tomb of John Hunyadi is also located in the cathedral
- which is the most reprezentative building for the Medieval Gothic
style in Transylvania, as is that of the Polish-born Isabella Jagello,
Queen of Hungary.
A rather grandiose building, the Unification Cathedral (or "Reunion
Cathedral" also) was built between 1921-1923, following the project
drawn by the architect D.G. Stefanescu, leaded by the engineer T. Eremia.
The Romanian monarchs were crowned here on the 15th of October 1922
under the wonderful frescoes painted by Constantin Petrescu in the colourful
and vibrant traditional iconography style.
Shaped as a Greek cross, with an open porch in front, you can get
inside through a right-angled narthex with three round headed vault
units, a narrow nave and a sanctuary.
The
City of Alba Iulia is one of the few localities in Romania that have
been fated to gain an important position in the history of human settlings
and fortifications, from pre-history to modern ages.
The bulwark fortress of Alba Iulia has been set up between 1714
and 1738 and it is considered to be the most representative of Vauban
type in Romania.
The fortress was designed by the Italian architect Giovanni Morando
Visconti.
Alba Iulia Fortress at a glance
The Italian architect Giovanni Morando Visconti has made the project
of the fortress. He was guided by the general Stefan de Steinville and
later by general Weiss.
The work at the fortification of Alba Iulia has began on the 4th
of November 1715, when the foundation of Carol bulwark, dedicated to
the emperor and situated on the Northern side was made. Weiss named
his project, the fortification, "Alba Iulia's major fortress in the
Principality of Transylvania".
Military HQ for Transilvania
Between the 18th and 19th centuries the fortress has served as the
military centre of Transilvania and also as general armament dump. The
perimeter of the walls is about 12 km; 20,000 serfs built the
walls.
A ravelin is a triangular
fortification
or detached outwork
in front of the bastions
of a fortress. Originally called a demi-lune,
after
lunette, the ravelin is placed outside a castle opposite a fortification
curtain. The edges of the ravelin are placed so that the guns there
can sweep fire upon the troops that have to run along the fortification
curtain.
The wall facing the castle or fort is low and the angles of the others such
that the ravelin provides no shelter to attacking forces if taken
or abandoned by defenders.
--
From Wikipedia
The fortress has seven bulwarks or ravelins (dedicated to Eugene
of Savoia, St. Stephen, The Trinity, St. Michael, King Carol, St. Capistrano
and Romania's Queen Elizabeth) that make it a star shaped one, common
to Vauban style fortresses. The biggest bulwark is the Trinity one,
measuring 116 and 135 m and being decorated in the centre with a blazon
crowned by outlines and acanthus leaves.
Early Baroque Walls
The walls were made of bricks, quarry stones, or out of the Roman
ruins, measuring
at the base and
at the top, being sustained by abutments in order to neutralize the
earth's force.
The six gates of the bulwark fortress have been a model for the
18th century Transylvanian architecture. They are looked upon as extremely
valuable samples of early baroque.
The planning and the building of the fortress led to the modification
of the street texture; that is why the six gates had been placed three
towards the town and the other three towards the western drill field.
All the roads and the fitted gates were functional. The fortress
is outstanding both for its decorative elements and for the beauty of
its six gates, unique in European military architecture. Doubtless the
artists had been inspired by ancient mythology. Sculptors like Johann
Koning, Johan Vischer and Giuseppe Tencalla had made the decorations.
On the whole, the fortress stands out as the most important example
of Baroque style, certainly in Alba Iulia.
The Roman Camp
The Roman Camp and the Old Fortress is an important archaeological
site.
The 13th Legion, Gemina billeted here, in (106-275). It was adjusted
and used as a feudal fortress, During Middle Age also known as
Balgrad. The walls had been preserved until
the 18th century.
This fine house is situated in the South west of the fortress and
in 17th -19th centuries. It was been constantly modified through time.
The building was a harmonious dovetailing of late Renaissance and
baroque elements, remarkable sobriety. Roman Camp and the Old Fortress,
an important archaeological site, the centre where the 13th Legion
Gemina (106-275) had established, has been
fitted and used during Middle age as a feudal fortress known under the
name of Balgrad. Part of its walls had preserved
until the 18th century
The building used to be Michael the Brave’s residence during the
first political Union of the Romanians; the Ottoman and Tatar invasions
destroyed it.
The foreign chronicles picture it was an extremely luxurious building,
richly adorned, with frescos, marble stairs. The building was placed
next to two guard houses. Right after Hungary had been conquered by
the Ottoman Empire, it became residence for Ioan Zapolya's wife Isabella.
There had been made some adornment improvements during the rule
of princes Gabriel Bethlehem and Gheorghe Racozzi II. Since 1700 the
building changed its destination and was used as a barracks, and therefore,
the inside was adapted. The notifications led to the destruction or
covering of some important statue groups representing scenes from The
Bible.
This establishment was founded in 1887 and it occupies two important
buildings in the middle of the City: The Babilon Building, built up
in 1851 and The Union Hall Building, built up in 1906.
The museum exhibits over 130000 pieces of priceless works included
in its patrimony, starting with a pre-historia section, then Dacian-Roman
and feudal sections, the great battles with the Turks, the Revolution
in 1848, the unification of the Principalities in 1859, the unification
of Transylvania with Romania, and other great exhibits.
The Union Hall was appropriated in 1895 as the Military Casino of
the Garrison in Alba Iulia, but its distinctive historical signification
is given by the fact that it hosted, on the First of December 1918,
the Rally of the 1228 Romanian delegates from all Transylvania, who
decided the unification of this ancient province with Romania.
The Union Museum
Great Daco-Roman remains, and some good
sections of 19th Century history.
At Str. Mihai Viteazul
12-14, Tel. (258) 813 300
Photo: Govt Source
The Roman Catholic Cathedral
One of the oldest and most important edifices
combining Roman and Gothic features.
Built in 13th century, the Roman Catholic Cathedral is considered
to be an important monument of early Transylvanian medieval architecture.
It harmoniously combines Gothic and Roman style elements with three
Trinitarian semicircular recesses in the transept. Undoubtedly, the
most important early Transylvanian Renaissance building is "Lazo" Chapel
situated on the northern side of the Cathedral. The Chapel has a late
gothic pointed arch, so characteristic of it's time.
The keystone is decorated with icons of some Transylvanian personalities.
Inside the cathedral there is Iancu of Hunedoara's sarcophagus next
to those of his elder son Ladislau (situated in the lateral southern
nave), of Queen Isabella and of son, Ioan Sigismund (situated in the
opposite lateral nave).
Digimarc and the Digimarc logo are registered trademarks of Digimarc Corporation. The "Digimarc Digital Watermarking" Web Button is a trademark of Digimarc Corporation, used with permission.
All maps are informational only. No representation is made or warranty given as to map
contents. User assumes all risk of use. Rest Romania and its suppliers
assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use.
Inclusion of links and examples of maps on other sites is for your
convenience only and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the
owner/sponsor of the map site or the content of that site.
Cluj is just a couple of hours away by train, and with Sibiu just under
4 hours, Timişoara nearly 5 hours, and
Bucureşti, as well as other European destinations
such as Prague, Vienna and Budapest of course.
The CFR Ticketing office in town is
on Strada Moţilor (see Map
above), and you can get out to the train station by walking south
along B-dul Ferdinand (about 1.5km), or by taking a bus (#3, #4, check
locally for times, but they run very frequently on this popular route).
Maxi-taxis leave from the main train station in Alba Iulia to all near
destinations such as Cluj-Napoca, Aiud, Oradea, Sibiu,
Abrud and Târgu Mureş.
You can also catch one into the town centre, and busses (numbers
14 and 15) run to the town centre (lower town) and of course to other
towns from the Alba Iulia bus station.
The quickest way to get to Alba Iulia is via
a 90 minute maxi-taxi from the airport
at Cluj-Napoca. Cluj has
domestic non-stop flights
from Timişoara andBucharest,
and non-stop international flights to Vienna, Budapest, Verona, Bologna,
and Milan.
Communications
HotSpots in Historic Alba Iulia
Hotel Cetate at Unirii 3 and the Hotel Park on Str. Primaverii 4
both offer 54g Wi-Fi access, as does the Salon Magic on Dr. Aurel Lazar
7A, and in the old Alba
Iulia fortress, head to Pub13 for some free online time and a nice
beer!
Hotel Cetate, Strada Unirii 3
in Alba Iulia
Free wireless in a beautiful historical area near the old fortifications.
+40 258 815833
Hotel Parc, Strada Primaverii 4
in Alba IuliaSee
Map
An acceptable hotel with free wireless
placed in a historical area of Alba Iulia. +40 258 811723
Salon Magic, Str. Crizantemelor, nr.7 or Dr. Aurel Lazar 7A
in Alba Iulia.
Free wireless
+40
258 832 785 or
+40 (747) 417 709
Pub13, Strada Unirii 3
in Alba Iulia
Free wireless in funky pub type atmosphere
that will be heaven for Americans under 40. Fun, brash, with some
quiet areas too. +40 258 839 555
==LODGING===================================Get your hotel or accommodation seen to the world with a premium accommodation listing with Rest Romania.
Know of a property or some information we missed?
Please Rest Romania is Romania's Biggest Tourism Website for Accommodation, Lodging and great Reviews and Guides!
Let us know about it now Thanks!
This website is a
general tourist guide, designed to help English-speaking tourists
understand Romania, and as such, provides historical
information for the interest of our traveller readers. History
can be a contentious issue, and we welcome input where readers think
clarification or correction is advisable. Please
e-mail us here
if you have questions or comments about anything in this history
section.
The city was an important Dacian political, economic and social
centre named Apulon, mentioned by the ancient Greek geographer Ptolemy.
After the southern part of Dacia became a province of the Roman
Empire, the capital of the Dacia Apulensis district was established
here, and the city was known as Apulum. Apulum was one of the largest
centres in Roman Dacia and the seat of the XIII Gemina Legion.
In the 9th century, the city was mentioned under the name of Bălgrad
("White Citadel"), the Hungarian Gestas mention a ruler named Geula/Gyula/Jula
that had discovered the city and made it the capital of his dukedom
during 10th century.
The Middle Ages in Alba
Following the establishment of the Catholic Transylvanian episcopacy
after Stephen I of Hungary adopted Catholicism, the first cathedral
was built in the 11th century.
The present (Catholic) cathedral was built in the 12th or
13th centuries. In 1442 John Hunyadi, Voivod of Transylvania, used the
citadel to make his preparations for a major battle against the Ottoman
Turks. The cathedral was enlarged during his reign and served as his
place of entombment after his death.
As Gyulafehérvár, Alba Iulia became the capital of the Principality
of Transilvania in 1541, a status it was to retain until 1690. It was
during the reign of Prince Gabriel Bethlen that the city reached a high
point in its cultural history, with the establishment of an academy.
Further important milestones in the city's development include the creation
of the Batthyanaeum Library in the 18th century, and the arrival of
the railway in the 19th century.
In November 1599, Michael the Brave, Voivod of Wallachia, entered
Alba Iulia following his victory in the Battle of Şelimbăr and became
governor of Transylvania.
In 1600 Michael gained control of Moldavia, thereby uniting the
three principalities under his rule until his murder in 1601 by Giorgio
Basta's agents. Michael's achievement has historic significance for
Romanians, representing the first Union of the three Romanian-populated
principalities of Wallachia, Moldavia, and Transylvania.
The December 1st University
Modern Alba Iulia
In 1918, enormous crowds of ethnic Romanians and representatives
of the Transylvanian Saxons and other minorities of Transylvania, gathered
in Alba Iulia on December 1, now commemorated as Union Day in Romania,
to hear the proclamation of the unification of Transilvania with
the Kingdom of Romania.
In 1922, Ferdinand of Romania was symbolically crowned King of Romania
in Alba Iulia in an act which mirrored the achievement of Michael the
Brave. See the Union Museum
for More Info
György Jakubinyi was appointed archbishop of the archdiocese of
Alba Iulia by Pope John Paul II on April 8, 1994.
™RestRomania.com,
Rest Romania, and Rest Romania SRL are trademarks of Rest Romania
SRL. All objects, including but not limited to images and graphics,
which are marked with the distinctive Rest Romania "diamond R"
are the property of Rest Romania
SRL, and their use
without our explicit consent is a violation of copyright.
Some content on this page is derived
from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopaedia.
It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see
full disclaimer). Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify
sections of this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License,
Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation.
Sections which may be used under the GNU License may include sections marked
with the "ol" style class on paragraphs, table cells and tables.
Sections of this page which may NEVER
be used under the GNU license (other licenses and copyrights apply) include
the page header
and page footer
blocks common to Rest Romania websites; images bearing the Rest Romania distinctive
diamond-R as logo or background watermark; all paragraphs, table cells and
tables marked with a "cc" or "rr" style class showing distinctive coloured
right margin dots; Front-Cover Texts and Back-Cover Texts (as set forth in
the GNU license). A copy of the license is included
in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation
License".
Important
Alba Iulia!
The
City of Alba Iulia is one of the few localities in Romania that have
been fated to gain an important position in the history of human settlings
and fortifications, from pre-history to modern ages.
Search
for
on other websites!
Read more about in the Encyclopaedia!
RestRomânia.ro