Cluj-Napoca is one of the outstanding locations in Hungarian history, unofficially considered the capital of Transylvania.
Romania’s second-largest city is located in the northwestern part of the country, in the valley of the Little Someș River.
It is the birthplace of notable figures such as King Matthias Corvinus and Prince István Bocskai. It served twice as the official capital of the Principality of Transylvania.
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Cluj-Napoca attractions
St. Michael’s Church
This Catholic church in the main square is a symbol of Cluj-Napoca.
Built in the 14th-15th century in Gothic style, it is Transylvania’s earliest hall church and the second-largest church in terms of floor area. It has been used by Reformed, Lutheran, and Unitarian communities. Its 76-meter-high (80 meters including the cross) neo-Gothic tower, built in 1858, is the tallest church tower in historic Transylvania.
Its art reflects the influence of the North Hungarian style, but many details showcase local Transylvanian characteristics.
Matthias Statue
The monument of King Matthias Corvinus was designed by the famous sculptor János Fadrusz and won a gold medal at the 1900 Paris World Exhibition.
At the apex of the triangular group of statues stands the laurel-wreathed head of the king, with the side lines formed by the raised flags of the side figures. The four subsidiary statues depict Pál Kinizsi, István Szapolyai, István Báthory, and Balázs Magyar.
Together with the St. Michael’s Church behind it, it forms an iconic image of Cluj-Napoca and Transylvania. The monumental size of the statue is most appreciated from the front.
Birthplace of King Matthias Corvinus
The oldest multi-story house in Cluj-Napoca, located in the city center. It is currently owned by the University of Arts and Design.
Matthias Corvinus, one of our most famous kings, was born here on February 23, 1443 (according to the inscription on the memorial plaque, March 27).
Tailors’ Bastion
Of the 24 bastions of the old Cluj-Napoca fortress, sadly, only this one remains.
It stood on the southeastern side of the castle, and its defense was provided by the tailors and cloth-shearers’ guilds, hence the name. The building suffered severe damage on several occasions but was renovated twice in the 20th century.
Currently, it houses a city cultural center with a seventy-seat venue, an exhibition hall, a library, and a café.
Bánffy Palace
This Baroque building in the main square was constructed at the end of the 18th century by György Bánffy, the governor of Transylvania. It currently houses the Museum of Fine Arts.
Its most beautiful part is the Bánffy suite: original lunette window inserts, door frames with supraportas, and door and window panels can be seen.
Citadel
The former fortress rises on a hill along the banks of the Little Someș. It was built as an imperial military fortress in the early 18th century, of which today only the armory, the gunpowder store, three gate buildings, and the ramparts can be seen. The Belvedere hotel was built on its top.
A 26-meter-high metal cross is erected on the hilltop, on the side facing the city.
Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral
The Orthodox church stands in the middle of Bocskai Square and was inaugurated in 1933.
The cathedral is made of reinforced concrete, which is built with bricks, and then the exterior is decorated with Kisbács stones. The church, designed for two thousand people, is 64 meters tall, of which 40 meters is the dome. The dome has a diameter of 12 meters. The dome was modeled after the Hagia Sophia.
„Cock Church”
Its official name is the Upper Town Reformed Church, which was built in Art Nouveau style in 1914.
It’s a beautiful church externally, but its interior is truly magnificent: its ceiling is painted with cassette and Kalotaszeg motifs.
Its common name comes from the rooster on top of the tower on the southern side.
Transylvanian Ethnographic Museum
The museum is located in the Redut Palace, which was previously an important venue for political and cultural events.
The museum was moved here in 1958. Its permanent exhibition, „Traditional Culture of Transylvania in the 18th-20th Century” presents old peasant life through local artifacts. These include handicraft items, folk instruments, and local folk costumes. Among these, we can see costumes from the regions of Făgăraș and Sibiu, Székely Land, Avas and Maramureș, the Saxon area of Bistrița, Kalotaszeg, and Beiuș.
All information here!
Promenade
The park along the Little Someș River is one of the locals’ favorite meeting places. The entire area was renovated in 2012, creating a very pleasant environment for those who want to relax.
The park has two beautiful buildings. One is the skating pavilion and kiosk designed by Lajos Pákey, and the other is the casino. Both are located along a beautiful lake.
Botanical Garden
The garden, near the city center, is named after its first Romanian director, Alexandru Borza.
The original botanical garden was in another location, in Mikó Garden. It was moved to its current location in the 1920s.
The garden, covering 14 hectares, contains tens of thousands of plants from all over the world. Its sections include ornamental, geobotanical, systematic, economic, and medical. The Botanical Institute and the Botanical Museum are also located in the botanical garden, as well as the university’s Botanical Collection.