Things to do in Timişoara
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Banat History Museum
South along Str Lucian Blage you'll find the 14th-century Huniades Palace. Built between 1307 and 1315 by the Hungarian king Carol Robert, Prince of Anjou, it was redesigned under the Habsburgs in the late 18th century. It houses the Banat History Museum , which is worth visiting for its enormous displays on natural history, geology, armour, weapons, archaeology, ceramics, tools, an authentic wooden fishing boat and scale-model countryside shelters.
In nearby Piaţa Victoriei note the column topped with the classic scene of Romulus and Remus feeding from the mother wolf, a gift from the city of Rome.
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Banat Ethnographic Museum
From Piaţa Unirii, walk east along Str Palanca to the Banat Ethnographic Museum, housed in the oldest fortress in Timişoara, within the city's remaining 18th-century bastion. Allow an hour to drift through its 2,000 exhibits, which include traditional costumes, 19th-century furniture, craft and 'spiritual culture' from the Banat region. Nearby is a landmark fountain, which has all the points of the compass round its circular design.
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Roman Catholic Cathedral
In the heart of the old town, Piaţa Unirii is Timişoara's most picturesque square, featuring the imposing sight of the Catholic and Serbian churches facing each other. The eastern side of the square is dominated by the baroque Roman Catholic Cathedral, built in 1754. The main altar painting was completed by Michael Angelo Unterberger, director of the Fine Art Academy in Vienna.
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Great Synagogue
The Great Synagogue was built in 1865 and is an important keynote in Jewish history. Jews in the Austro-Hungarian empire were fully emancipated in 1864 (they could finally own land and have a profession), the year when permission was given to build the synagogue. It once hosted concerts by the Philharmonic Orchestra, which refused to play music by Nazi sympathiser Richard Wagner.
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Banat Village Museum
The Banat Village Museum, 6km northeast of the centre, exhibits more than 30 traditional peasant houses dating from the 19th century. The open-air display was created in 1917. Take tram 1 (black number) from the northern train station.
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Latura Extremă
Extreme-sports lovers can get their thrills thanks to the tour agency Latura Extremă, which organises water sports, ballooning, paintballing, tandem paragliding and adventure trips. Call or email for more information.
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Trinity Column
The Trinity Column, in the square's centre, was erected by the people of Timişoara at the end of the 18th century in thanks to God for allowing them to survive the plague that hit the town between 1738 and 1739.
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State Philharmonic Theatre
Classical concerts are held most evenings at the State Philharmonic Theatre. Tickets (from around €2.50) can be bought at the box office inside the Philharmonic Theatre or from the Agenţia Teatrală.
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Tőkés Reformed Church
The 1989 revolution began at the Tőkés Reformed Church, where Father Lászlo Tőkés spoke out against the dictator. Today, Tőkés' small apartment is privately inhabited.
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Art Museum
Overlooking the Piaţa Unirii is the baroque Old Prefecture Palace (Palatul Vechii Prefecturi; 1754), suffering through major renovations at the time of writing. When open, it houses an Art Museum.
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Serbian Orthodox Church
Opposite the Roman Catholic Cathedral is the Serbian Orthodox Church, built the same year as its Catholic counterpart; local Banat artist Constantin Daniel painted the interior.
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Galeria Helios
Hermestim and Galeria Helios are adjacent shops, selling artwork (from around €15), jewellery (from around €30), handcrafts and ceramics (from €12).
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Hermestim
Galeria Helios and Hermestim are adjacent shops, selling artwork (from around €15), jewellery (from around €30), handcrafts and ceramics (from €12).
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Pepetour
Book trips on Bega Canal (which flows through the city) and on Mureş River through adventure company Pepetour. Call or email for more information.
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Discoland
Dance in, stagger out. This is where partying professionals test their stamina. It also has salsa nights. Next to the sign that says 'Firestage'.
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La Tino
Classy Italian food and a wide choice of delicious pizzas are offered here. A taxi to/from the centre should cost about around €3.
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Crama Bastion
Romanian dishes vie with the wine list for attention at this traditional restaurant housed in an 18th-century fortification.
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German State Theatre
Close by the National Theatre & Opera House is the German State Theatre. Buy tickets at its in-house box office.
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University of West Timişoara
On the southern bank of the Bega Canal is the University of West Timişoara, established in 1944.
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Intermezzo
Great pizzas and even better pastas. Dine on the terrace on Piata Unirii or in the cellar restaurant.
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Cinema Capitol
Cinema Capitol is a popular haunt for film-mad Timissoarans. Films screen in their original language.
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Restaurant Lloyd
Dine here on exquisite international/Romanian dishes of shark, smoked salmon and a spit-roast joint.
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Librăria Mihai Eminescu
Stocks a less exhaustive range than Humanitas but still has a variety of English-language books.
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Komodo
So trendy it hurts, this large, colourfully lit eclectic bar has techno/house DJs on weekends.
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Corona
This cosy dark-wood restaurant is yet another good choice for pizza and Romanian favourites.
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