Restoration and revitalization of Oradea Fortress (included in the local tourist circuit)

Oradea Fortress is one of the most important late-medieval architectural monuments in Transylvania, dating from the 11th century. Since the 16th century, the fortress was acting as a defensive role for the city, with its stellar-heptagonal architecture. It had religious and military roles across time and, after several lost battles, the ruined fortress was declared (in 2004) a monument of international importance (A-class).
Nowadays, placed in the heart of Oradea, a beautiful medieval town of 200.000 inhabitants, the Fortress is the core magnet of the area, for tourism, businesses, cultural activities and events, leisure and local community. The transformation was possible in 1992, after its inclusion in the municipal heritage list. Since 2009, Oradea Municipality restored 8 enclosed buildings hosting 190 rooms and over 13.500 sqm surface, due to two FEDR projects.
Since 2018, Oradea City Museum is managing the entire heritage of the fortress, including a lapidarium, a bakery museum, an art gallery and sections dedicated to the history of pharmacy and to multi-confessions. Besides the main touristic purpose, revitalization is constantly performed by renting spaces to local businesses or temporary events, organization of cultural events and exhibitions such as the Medieval Festival, St. Ladislau Festival, Anatolian Food Festival, Street Food Festival, Kids Fest, The Big Picnic, Summer Film, Easter Fair, etc.