About Cluj-Napoca

         Location

     Cluj is located in the northwestern region of Transylvania. Cluj-Napoca (German: Klausenburg; Hungarian: Kolozsvár), commonly known as Cluj, is the second most populous city in Romania, behind the national capital Bucharest, and is the seat of Cluj County in the northwestern part of the country. Geographically, it is roughly equidistant from Bucharest (438 km), Budapest (351 km) and Belgrade (322 km). Located in the Someşul Mic River valley, the city is considered the unofficial capital to the historical province of Transylvania. Between 1790 and 1848 and between 1861 and 1867, it was the official capital of the Grand Principality of Transylvania.

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Avram Iancu Square

          Attractions

        Cluj is a major city filled with art and culture. Because it is auniversity city, a wide array of entertainment is available, including school theatrical and musical productions and a number of movie theaters. In the city center, buildings are plastered with announcements and show times for entertainment. In the Central Square, (Piata Unirii) St. Michael’s Church dominates the scene. The church is a beautiful example of gothic architecture.      

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                 St. Michael’s Church                                         National Theatre

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        At the southwest corner of the square is the Continental Hotel, houses a travel agency, a good place to find maps and recommendations about exploring Cluj. To the east of the square, next to the Hotel Melody, is a wonderful Art museum. To the west, about one and a half blocks down Memorandumului Street is an equally interesting Ethnographic Museum. At the National Theatre, located on Avram Iancu Square, posters display show times and give the opportunity for a classy evening out.

       An amazing Botanical Garden sits southwest of the center along Republicii Street. For a small admission fee the gardens offer a getaway into the woods where it is easy to forget that one is but a few steps from the city. The greenhouses are reminiscent of a prehistoric jungle.

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Botanical Garden

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                                          Cluj Arena Stadium                                                                        Salt Mine – Turda

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            In the fall Cluj hosts the famed Ursus Beer Festival. The Transylvania International Film Festival (TIFF) is around the beginning of June each year. Although the main parts of Cluj are walkable, there are many buses and trams that cover the city. Buy tickets at kiosks near the stops.

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