Timisoara is one of Romania's most important and wonderful cities, which developed around the site of Castrum Regium Themes (Castri de Thymes), an ancient Roman crossroad fortress. If you're planning a vacation, you can't forget to put this destination on your bucket list. You will leave with lots of beautiful memories and many great pictures.

Although surrounded by marshlands, in 1241, Timisoara was invaded and partially destroyed by the Tatars. In 1552, the Turkish armies conquered Timisoara and kept the town under their authority until 1716 when the region of Banat came under Austrian rule. Soon after the Habsburg Empire took over the Banat region, from the Ottomans, the new governor of Banat, General Mercy, commissioned a heptagram-shaped bastion with strong walls, towers and gates. During early 1720s large numbers of Swabian immigrants settle in Timisoara. The Swabians - skilled craftsmen from Swabia, southern Germany - helped transform Timisoara in a major commercial and manufacturing town. Austrians, Germans, Jews, Serbians and Hungarians all left their mark during the two centuries of Austrian domination of Timisoara.

The charm of Timisoara, city settled on Bega River and the largest one in western Romania, lies in its distinct architectural character, ample green spaces and vibrant cultural life. Timisoara is home to year-round musical and theatrical performances, art galleries, museums, cosy restaurants and cafes and a buzzing nightlife.

Timisoara's distinct cultural life reside in its impressive combination of Byzantine, baroque and modernist architecture. Some of the city's most interesting sights are the elegant Baroque buildings around the city's main squares.

In Timisoara you have over 900 reasons to go for a walk, anytime. That's the number of heritage buildings in the city, which has the largest area of historic buildings in Romania. Each with its own story. For those who prefer to travel a little faster when visiting the town, a tram will be good option; Timisoara's public transport system is fast, frequent and efficient.

The mild climate in Timisoara is favorable for lots of public squares and lush green retreats. Timisoara is home to six, ample, public squares surrounded by monumental buildings. Three of them: Piata Libertatii, Piata Unirii and Piata Victoriei are located in the historic centre (Cetate neighborhood) while the other three are found in the city's main neighborhoods: Elisabetin (Piata Balcescu), Fabric ( Piata Traian ) and Iosefin ( Piata Maria ).

The parks give Timișoara the reputation of a city of flowers and parks, due to their large number, the fact that you can cross the city, passing from one park to another and especially due to the prestige that the city has gained since the 19th century, when rose growers, famous throughout Europe, lived here.

Nowadays the parks host many of Timișoara's cultural events, such as Bega Bulevard, the Festival of the Hearts - an international folklore festival, Ruga Timișoara, film festivals, children's festivals, or they delight the eyes of visitors with tens of thousands of tulips during the Timfloralis festival.

Timisoara abounds with churches of several denominations, a Jewish quarter, an elegant baroque square and a pedestrian-only downtown area. Some of the monuments in the heart of the city afford panoramic views, while the many parks in this "city of flowers" provide an idyllic spot to take a break from sightseeing.

The abundance of Secessionist architecture gave Timisoara its rather appropriate moniker, "Little Vienna". Secessionism developed in two distinct architectural phases in the city. Sinuous lines and floral decorations characterized the first phase which lasted until 1908. The second phase, which continued until the First World War, saw simpler, larger buildings with geometrical designs. Secessionism in Romania was an important link between the Byzantine style and later modernist architecture.

Folk crafts, such as embroidered clothing and linen, painted or beaded eggs, carpets, pottery, woodcarvings and icons, make interesting gifts and souvenirs. Romanian artisans create magnificent embroidery on cotton, wool and leather. Look for blouses, skirts, exotic coats, rugs, tablecloths and lacework. Icons, new and old, painted on glass or wood are outstanding.

Not far from Timisoara you can find many attractions, such as:

• • Recaș Winery (Cramele Recaș), 12 miles east of Timisoara, access by car, bus, train
• • Satchinez Ornithological Reserve / Satchinez Marshes,12 miles northwest of Timișoara, access by car, bus
• • Village Charlottenburg (Șarlota), 28 miles NE of Timisoara
• • Town of Buziaș, 22 miles east of Timisoara, access by car, bus, train. Town of Buzias is known for its mineral waters and pure naturally ionized air.

You can find more information and places to visit in Timisoara by accesing https://www.romaniatourism.com/timisoara.html.
You can download here a map of Timisoara https://www.romaniatourism.com/romania-maps/timisoara-city-map-harta-orasului.html.

Facts about Timisoara

• • The first chocolate producer in Romania was founded in Timisoara in 1890.
• • Today, artisanal chocolate manufacturer Chantia continues the city's chocolate-making tradition.
• • Chantia offers chocolate-lovers 40 different kinds of pralines, all made from pure cocoa butter Belgian-style chocolate.
• • In 1869 Timisoara introduced public transport with horse-drawn trams, a premiere in Europe.
• • Francesco Illy, inventor of illeta - considered the blueprint for modern espresso machine - was born in Timisoara in 1892. Illy also developed an innovative packaging technique based on pressurization; his method remains the industry's standard for preserving and enhancing coffee freshness during transport and storage.
• • Timisoara is home to the oldest brewery in Romania (opened in 1718). More recently, a dynamic local craft beer sector has been growing while playing with bold and joyful flavors you can enjoy in Timisoara’s beer bars and pubs
• • Timisoara, a progressive, cosmopolitan place, was the first city in Europe and second in the world, after New York, to use electricity to illuminate its streets.
• • The first municipal hospital in Romania opened in Timisoara in 1745. 24 years before the one in Vienna (Austria) and 34 years before the one in Budapest (Hungary).
• • The first alphanumeric Romanian computer - MECIPT-1, or the Electronic Computing Machine of the Timișoara Politehnica Institute, was created in 1961 and is the first computer built in a university environment in Romania.
• • First concert outside Vienna by Johann Strauss II - In 1847, Johann Strauss II performed his first concert outside Vienna at the Beer Factory in Timișoara. The concert was so successful that the people of Timișoara declared Strauss the “king of waltz.”