Must see in Romania: Cluj-Napoca

Cluj-Napoca has been for years the official capital of Transilvania, a province in the former Austrian-Hungarian Empire. Today, not so officially anymore, this city enjoys the same status.

The Orthodox Cathedral of Cluj-Napoca, with the Monument of Avram Iancu, a Romanian hero

Discovering Cluj-Napoca from any direction is an event for your eyes. You come from the mountains, and you see from distance the city, in a depression. You will admire it at once and fall in it, wishing to know everything possible about this city, one of Romania's most beautiful . Comparing it with Bucharest with its eclectic architecture is in the clear advantage of Cluj-Napoca (German Klausenburg, Hungarian Koloszvar). In the centre, Cluj Napoaca acts very Central European, similar maybe to Budapest.

The Hotel Continenta, also known as New York Palace, is an architecture jewel in the centre of Cluj-Napoaca

Cluj-Napoca has a huge scientific and cultural potential. The actual leader of the Romanian Academy is born in Cluj-Napoca and made here his researches. Cluj-Napoca, also known simply as Cluj, is the main target of the foreign investors in Romania, after Bucharest. There are plans to develop Cluj Napoca to the unbelievable level of 20 Millions inhabitants within next 50 years. The people in Cluj Napoca (nowadays 20 % Hungarians) are usually high educated, very serious, respecting there words. It is not very easy becoming friend with these people, but once you have their confidence, be sure to receive a dinner invitation, where you will able to enjoy palinca (plum made strong brandy), good wines and sarmalute. Despite the cosmopolite aspect of the city, the people don't forget their roots and traditions.

City Hall from Cluj-Napoca is another monument of architecture

Entering Cluj-Napoca you will notice first the most modern buildings from the last 20 years, some ruinated industrial factories from Ceausescu time and even the communist blocks which the inhabitants dream to leave (but of course, not all of them can afford to do it). Going further, deeper in the city's heart, you will discover the amazing center, with the Catholic Cathedral (St Michael's Church), hotels and restaurants, cafes and museums. Visiting it during the peak hours with a group of Swiss tourists from Twerenbold on behalf of Karpaten Turism was very nice, but I couldn't organize a lunch because all the restaurants were overcrowded. That means a big city indeed.

The Catholic Cathedral of Cluj-Napoca

Special mention for the riding statue of Matthias Corvinus, former ruler of Transilvania. The Hungarians say he was Hungarian, but the Romanian say also he was Romanian, or at least to have a Romanian origin. Not so important anymore, the mutual relations start to improve.

The Synagogue of Cluj-Napoca is an historic building, but Jews are unfortunately not anymore to find in Cluj-Napoca