Crisana & Banat

Crisana & Banat

Romania's western border spans two regions: Crisana, bordering Hungary in the north, and the southern Banat, which mainly borders Yugoslavia. The Banat region was settled primarily by southern Germans in the 18th century on invitation of its Hapsburg ruler. Their influence is evident in the architecture of its main city Timisoara, known as "the garden city". This is an important trade and university town, particularly notable as the place which sparked the 1989 revolution that led to the ouster of Nicolae Ceaucescu and ended Romania's 45 years of communism.
To the southeast lies the Baile Herculane spa, established by Romans around the year 100 AD and still Romania's most fashionable spa. Nestled in the Cerna Valley of the southern Carpathians, it has mineral and thermal springs, indoor and outdoor pools and offers treatements for rheumatic and nervous ailments, as well as mud baths and massage all year round.

Just north of Timisoara on the Mures River is the quiet city of Arad,a major railroad junction for international trains. On its main street, Bd. Revolutiei, you’ll find some impressive turn-of-the-century buildings. Arad's six-pointed citadel, built by order of Habsburg Empress Maria Theresa in 1762-1783 is now used as a military barracks and is off-limits to visitors.

In the northern Crisana region, its main city Oradea, just ten miles from the western border, is a good stopping place for travelers moving to or from Hungary. The city's activity centers around its two main squares, separated by the Crisul Repede river. Piata Republicii and the pedestrianized Strada Republicii are north of the river; an area lined with ornate buildings in vivid colors, shops, bookstores, and cafes. Piata Unirii is south of the river where several grand civic and historical buildings reside.

A short bus ride from the center of Oradea is Baile Felix, Romania's largest spa. Open year round, it has fifteen mineral and thermal springs that treat rheumatic, nervous and digestive problems; it also has indoor and outdoor thermal pools.