A Quick Visit To Kolozsvár

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Yesterday I had to go to Kolozsvár (Cluj Napoca in Romanina), for official business and although I had very little time at my disposal, I managed to take a few shots at the historical city center, before and after my meeting.

Cluj-Napoca, (Hungarian: Kolozsvár, German: Klausenburg), is the second-most populous city in Romania and the seat of Cluj County in the northwestern part of the country. Located in the Someșul Mic river valley, the city is considered the unofficial capital of the historical province of Transylvania. For some decades prior to the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, it was the official capital of the Grand Principality of Transylvania. source

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The most known place of the city is the main square, with the statue of King of Hungary Matthias Corvinus and the St. Michael's Church behind it.

Matthias I, or Matthias Corvinus (Hungarian: Hunyadi Mátyás; Romanian: Matia/Matei Corvin; 23 February 1443 – 6 April 1490), was King of Hungary and Croatia from 1458 to 1490. After conducting several military campaigns, he was elected King of Bohemia in 1469 and adopted the title Duke of Austria in 1487. He was the son of John Hunyadi, Regent of Hungary, who died in 1456. In 1457, Matthias was imprisoned along with his older brother, Ladislaus Hunyadi, on the orders of King Ladislaus the Posthumous. Ladislaus Hunyadi was executed, causing a rebellion that forced King Ladislaus to flee Hungary. After the King died unexpectedly, Matthias's uncle Michael Szilágyi persuaded the Estates to unanimously proclaim the 14-year-old Matthias as king on 24 January 1458. source

It's an impressive and complex statue, or group of statues I should say and I wanted to take more photos, close-ups, but mother nature decided to send rain on me. Yes, why not make my job harder, right? So I needed to hold my umbrella and try to take some half decent photos.

The St. Michael's Church, or Szent Mihály-templom in Hungarian, is the second largest church in Transylvania, Romania and its tower is the highest of the region. I had the pleasure to walk in and visit the interior as well, so I'm going to post about it soon as I want to show you the beauty of this 577 year old architectural masterpiece.

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Being in the heart of the historical center, the square is surrounded by old and historical buildings, dating back to a few centuries. This is the Central Hotel and I assume what you see on the wall is the restoration of the original name (sorry for cutting it so brutally). If you'd like to live in an old, historical hotel, updated to modern standards, close to everything, this may be one place you should check out.

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It's like the buildings framing the square are in an architectural beauty competition. One is more beautiful than the other and walking around is like a walk back in the 18th, 19th century.

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The only things that remind you of the year we're living in are cars and public transportation means.

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The architecture of this important city is pretty much similar to what you find in major European city centers.

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The museum of history, which it wasn't possible to visit this time, but it's on my list and will definitely make time next I'm visiting the city.

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The end of February and the beginning of March is always the time for craft fairs as the Martisor and Women's International Day is celebrated. There was a craft fair going on, at the Museum Square, in front of the Franciscan Church.

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The Franciscan Church, dating back to 1290, was under renovation. It is a real beauty, but I could not see it with my own eyes, so this is also on my list.

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Some of the streets around the Museum Square are pedestrian streets, paved with cobblestones, dating back to a couple of centuries. There are bars, restaurants, cafes, terraces where you can have a cold drink on a hot day, or a nice meal.

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One block from the Museum Square, there's the memorial house of "Mátyás az igazságos", Matthias the just. This is what Matthias Corvinus was called. He was born in this house on March 27, in 1443.

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It is considered one of the oldest building of the city.

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This part of the city must be nice at night. There are light bulbs hanging down, that most likely illuminate these old streets nicely.

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Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania.

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Bistro Vienna, wish a very nice design and an even nicer welcoming message: "Warm your body and soul".

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Back to the main square, it is a famous tourist attraction, therefore there are a lot of cafes, bars and restaurants with nice terraces waiting for you.

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There was a market at the square, but unfortunately visitors were totally lacking, due to the rain.

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It was quite frustrating to have only a couple of hours and rain as well to deal with, but at least now I have a plan about what to visit next time and I'm doing everything to make time and go back to visit what I couldn't this time.

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23 comments
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Looks like a beautiful and historic (and rainy 🙁) city. I spent a bit of time googling European history as often happens after your posts 🙂

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My region has a long and bumpy history, so there's a lot to Google, but I'm glad you do it as there's a lot to learn :)

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Seeing those historical building felt amazing since I never been in a kind of place like that. I always wanted to visit those kinds of places where you can learn about the history of each building.

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This type or architecture is pretty common in Europe, so if you make it to Europe, you have a chance to enjoy it.

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Aww, Wish I could travel outside the country. Maybe one day

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I don't know why but this place give me some romantic and melancholic vibes at the same time, the streets with the light are charming, and also the coffe tables, I bet in autum this city it's wonderful and in the evening too with all the lights on. ❤️

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I don't know why but this place give me some romantic and melancholic vibes at the same time

I think that's a good thing, isn't it?

I think every season is beautiful in this city :) ❤️

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(Edited)

First of all I want to say about your pictures. All the pictures you take are very interesting and great. The stories behind each of your pictures are also very beautiful. I saw in one of your pictures that there are many lighting arrangements. I think this place will look very beautiful at night. Thank you very much for sharing with us.❤️🌸

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Oh my, this looks like a magnificent area in the city to walk through the streets and take photos!!!... I thought it was fantastic how they hang light bulbs, they must look beautiful at night!... Spectacular place, very good management of photos to show us!... Thank you for sharing about this place that I didn't know about @erikah friend!!!

!discovery 40

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Thank you my dear friend! It's a nice place and I wish I had more time and a better weather, but at the end of the day, what matters is what you do with what you have.

Have a wonderful weekend my friend :)

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Hiya, @livinguktaiwan here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made it into our Honorable Mentions in Travel Digest #2148.

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I was there last year. It was my first time visiting Cluj other than crossing by. Should return more often though, now that I have a good friend who moved there :)

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I've visited the city countless times.

Should return more often though, now that I have a good friend who moved there :)

Starts saving as the prices are absolutely insane! Kürtös 30 lei, o prajitura mica in cetru 21 lei. You are basically paying for their rent and utility bills and get no value for your money.

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What the..! Eating just at home or from LIDL sounds like a good alternative, hahaha

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(Edited)

We didn't buy any of those as I am not willing to pay those prices but 5h parking at Cinema Florin Piersic, costed us 48 lei and we were happy to get a free parking lot after waiting for 10 minutes. The city is so crowded, you can barely walk, driving is a nightmare.

I mean it's nice to visit, but to live there ... hell no!

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That's a crazy amount to pay for a parking lot! In Sibiu these are between 1-3 lei / hour depending on the area..

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Yes, it is crazy, but everything is crazy there. You need to know how to survive if you don't want to be the slave of others and sponsor their lifestyle.

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So what is that I have done against you @erikah...this is very unfair, you've punished me enough

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I am writing again to express my sincere apologies to you for what happened in the past. I've regretted every action I put up and I'm sorry for such actions. I know it will take ages for the world to forget but it can take a second to forget and be friends again. I've been actively involved in every promotion work of Hive in Ghana and I wish I could continually bring more people on board. Please consider this apology and pardon me with your downvote. Promise you such actions won't be repeated again.
Once again sorry #best regards @awuahbenjamin

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