Beginnings

The center of the district, named the New Town, situated on the left bank of Crișul Repede (the Fast Criș), was formed between 1714 and 1740, along with a main square named the Little Square (Kispiac tér, Szent László tér), which is now called Union Square.

The look of the square began materializing after the fire in 1836, because the only remnants from before this event were the three churches: the ”Sf. Ladislau” (”Saint Ladislaus”) Roman-Catholic Church (1720-1733), the Assumption of Mary Church – the Moon Church (1784-1832) and the ”Sf. Ierarh Nicolae” (”Holy Hierarch Nicholas”) Greek-Catholic Cathedral (1800-1810). The classical Kováts House, along with the two-floor house on the corner of Teleki Street (Primăriei Street, City Hall Street) were built in the 19^th century. The square was around 7,200 m² in scale.

This part of town had a central role for a long time, although it did not meet modern requirements, as, in 1869, the square was not yet paved, and was unpleasant to the eye due to the tents and kiosks. Thus, the local council of the time decided to transform the square into a park with alleyways and places to rest.

Two decades later, the square was considered the most beautiful in the New Town, abundant in lime trees and sycamores, and surrounded by the three churches and multiple two-floor houses.

The square attained its modern look after the construction of the palaces which can still be seen today: the City Hall of Oradea (1901-1903), the Palace of the Greek-Catholic Bishopric (1903-1905), the Vulturul Negru (Black Vulture) Palace (1907-1908), the Palace of Moskovits Adolf and Sons (1904-1905).

Present-day Union Square

Union Square is currently the historical and cultural center of Oradea. After a large-scale rehabilitation process (2015), Union Square took the form in which it can be seen today.

Tens of thousands of tourists come for the historical monument buildings in Union Square, but also the restaurants and cafés that breathe life into the area. Whether you want to take a stroll, drink a good cup of coffee or simply relax on a bench, there is a place in Union Square for you to do so.