Story like city: Cluj Napoca
Cosmopolite, colorful, historical, University-based, relaxed, cultural, joyful , these are some of the attributes I find for Cluj Napoca. They are not few, but still not enough to describe this Northern Transylvanian city.
Places on Feleacu Hill, Cluj Napoca is always an attraction for any type of tourist. Even a this late November day , this city was sunny and shinning. The glow came from inside, the sun was friendly with Cluj Napoca, even if over all Romania was announced and winter to start its role. The enormous gothic church, St. Michael ( the second biggest in Transylvania) surveys the Union Square of Cluj. Built between 14-15 century, the building still dominates the big city of 21 century. Its dimensions impresses the people passing by, regardless their religious opinion. To have an idea: It is 80 m tall and 70 m long!
On the pedestrian area, people of all ages walk calm on the paved alley. Romanian flags fly on buildings as a manifestation of happiness. Restaurants, coffee shops and bars welcome clients along the street. Places for all budgets and tastes: from doner kebab shop or pizzeria to traditional cabbage restaurant where you can have tasty local meal “varza a la Cluj” ( cabbage as in Cluj).
Cluj is Universitar city and Universities of every type are spread here and there with their specific: arts, installations, medicine, technology and… many students- young happy faces. The most known is Babes Bolay, University building of an eclectic architectural style, shelters over 50.000 students yearly.
On Avram Iancu Square The Orthodox church watches over the city and over Avram Iancu statue. The grandness of the Cathedral overwhelms you and seems to have impresses even the statue in front of it. Built between 1923 -1933 in Romanian style, the 18 derricks of the church watches over the Theater, the Theology University, the Metropolitan Palace.
The Cluj City Theatre faces the Orthodox Cathedral- proud shows off its eclectic -colorful arcade style. Inaugurated in 1919, the building is in 2000’s a representative house of culture, beauty and grandeur.
I hope I teased you enough to visit it.