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Turda was one of the most important cities of Transylvania, because here were the main salt mines, the salt being medieval Transylvania's main export product. For this reason, some of the earliest mentions of Transylvania are related to the salt exploited at Turda and the Transylvanian Diet was held in this city more than in any other place.
The Princely Palace, the most precious architectural objective in city, was built around 1500, partly using spolia from the ruins of Potaissa, the Dacian-Roman municipium that was the ancestor of the medieval city.
Initially the building was the seat of Salt Administration, later (after 1526, when Transylvania became an independent principality) was the seat of the voivode of Transylvania. It was here where were held several diets (councils) of the voivodate.
In 1951, in the building was inaugurated the History Museum, hosting among others Roman sculptures discovered in Potaissa.
The oldest cavities (the present lake) date from the time of Romans, for whom Dacia's salt was at least as precious as its gold resources. In Middle Age, the salt mine is mentioned in 1075.
The actual halls, presented in photos, date from 17-19th centuries.
The access is made by a 910 m long tunnel (last photo).
After nightfall, I was following what I thought were footmarks of some dude, being easier to spot than the trail blazing. But after finding a bear scat, I realized were the tracks of a dude with fur.
The tallest cave in Romania - a 76 m portal perforating an 150 m tall stone wall of a small depression. Around there were footprints of bears, rabbits and other wild animals (see video).
Oradea (population 196,367, 23% Hungarians) is the Romanian "capital" of Baroque and Secession architecture and one of Europe's most representative cities for these currents.
First certified in 1113 as seat of a bishopric, it was one of Hungarian Kingdom and then one of Austria-Hungary Empire's most important cities, nicknamed "The Little Vienna". The Fortress of Oradea was one of the most important in this part of Europe.
I visited only one of the countless of the city's Baroque churches, as I didn't visit most of the main landmarks, like the City Hall, the Theatre etc, because of lack of time. In fact, what you see in these photos is a very small part of the city's amazing buildings and streets.
"Olosig" Catholic church built in 1743, the tower added in 1876. In 1903-1905 was rebuilt the nave. Olosig was Oradea's Italian neighborhood (in Hungarian, Váradolaszi means "Italian part of Oradea").
The Premonstratensian Monastery might have existed in 1130, when this Catholic monastic order was present in the city. The present complex of buildings dates from 1760. Presently, in the buildings (except the church) functions the Mihai Eminescu College.
The Reformed Synagogue (1890), one of city's two main synagogues (the other being the Orthodox Synagogue).
In 1870, the Jewish community of Oradea split and the Reformed community built a monumental temple on Criș River's bank.
In 1944, the 27,000 Jews of Oradea (then for a short time under Hungarian fascist administration) have been deported to extermination camps where most of them perished.
In 11th century, King Ladislau I(1077-1095) built a fortified monastery on this place and later a Catholic bishopric inside the fortress. In 1192, as Ladislau I was consecrated as Saint by the pope, the fortress became a pilgrimage center. In 1370 was inaugurated an impressive cathedral. In 1401, the pope raises the cathedral at the same rank as the basilicas San Marco of Venice and Santa Maria Portiuncula of Assisi, thus, Oradea became one of the major pilgrimage centers in Europe. Between 12-15th centuries, seven kings and queens have been buried inside the cathedral.
Between 1569-1598 and 1618-1648 the inner fortress is rebuilt in its present form.
In 1660, after a 46 days siege when 850 defenders faced 45,000 Turks, the fortress is conquered as result of treason; Oradea becomes the seat of a pashalic for 32 years.
Between the inner (a barracks -looking circular structure) and outer (a stellate fortification) ring there is a wide ditch, now converted into a park.
The Baroque Complex is composed by the Episcopal Palace, the Catholic Cathedral and the Canon's Row. Is the most significant Baroque ensamble in Romania and one of the most important in Europe. It is situated outside of the historical part of Oradea.
Canon's Row - is a 250 m long row of buildings with 57 arches. Between 1758 -1780, 7 of the 10 buildings were finished, the remaining three being added in 1863 and 1875.
The Episcopal Palace - built between 1762-1777, it was damaged in 1956 when Greek communist revolutionaries have been lodged here with their animals, children and families. Between 1971 and until recently, it housed the Museum of Crișana (the western province of Romania) and presently was returned to the Catholic Church and awaits restoration.
The Catholic Cathedral was built between 1752-1780. Is the largest Baroque building in Romania: 70 x 30 m, with 61 m tall towers. In 1991 it was raised to the rank of a minor basilica (a Catholic title), one of the four of this kind in Romania.
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