


| City Highlights » City Landmarks » Museums » Parks & Gardens » Day Trips » Performing Arts |
City Essentials » Transportation » Shopping » Accommodations » Tourist info » Maps |
![]() |
This western city in the region of Transylvania traces its origins back to the Dacian settlement of Napuca in the 2-nd century A.D. After the Roman take-over of Dacia, it was renamed Napoca and in 124 A.D., received the rank of "municipium". The city quickly advanced socially and economically and during Marcus Aurelius' reign Napoca received the title "colonia", the highest possible urban status in the Roman Empire.
The name Cluj comes from Castrum Clus, first used in the 12-th century as the name of the citadel surrounding the city. Clus means "closed" in Latin and refers to the hills that surround the city.
German merchants, who arrived here in the 12th century, rebuilt the medieval earthen walls of Clus in stone after the Tartar invasion of 1241. Known as Klausenburg to the Germans* and Kolosvar to the Hungarians, Cluj became Cluj Napoca in the 1970s, when the communist regime added the name of the old Roman settlement to emphasize its Daco-Roman origin.
With one of the most vibrant economies in the country and a population of around 330,000, Cluj, is today a vibrant cultural and educational city. The six state and several private universities located here also make Cluj Napoca the city with the largest percentage of student population in Romania.
The main square, resplendent with 18th and 19th century buildings and home to many shops and restaurants, is dominated by the 15th century St. Michael's Church, one of the finest examples of gothic architecture in Romania. The square also claims the 18-th century baroque Banffy Palace, housing the weaponry and Romanian art collections of the Art Museum. Visitors who want to learn more about the region should pay a visit to the open-air section of the Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania, a true display of folk architecture. For entertainment, spend an enjoyable evening at the Opera or attend a classical music concert offered by the Cluj Philharmonic.
* The seven walled citadels populated by the Saxons of Transylvania were known in German as the Siebenbürgen.
The other Siebenbürgen citadels are located in the towns of: Bistrita (Bistritz), Brasov (Kronstadt), Medias (Mediasch), Sebes (Mühlbach), Sibiu (Hermannstadt), Sighisoara (Schässburg)
Union Square (Piata Unirii)
Featuring baroque, gothic, Renaissance and neoclassical buildings, the square allows for quick access to St. Michael's Church and the Banffy Palace. Flanking the church on the south side is a 1902 equestrian statue of the 15-th century ruler, Matei Corvin. In the southwest corner of the square stands Hotel Continental, built in 1895 in an eclectic style combining Renaissance, classical and baroque elements. During World War II, the hotel served as the German military headquarters in Transylvania. Across the square, you can visit the Hintz House, which served as Cluj's first and longest-running pharmacy (1573-1949) and is now home to the Pharmacy Museum (see museum details).
St. Michael's Church
(Biserica Sfantul Mihail)
Address: Piata Unirii
This church is one of the most beautiful gothic monuments in Transylvania. St. Michael's Church was erected between 1350 and 1487 on the site of the former St. Jacob's Chapel. The altar, built around 1390, is the oldest part of the church. The most recent section is the tower, erected in neo-gothic style in 1860. The star-shaped vault, the stained-glass windows and the sculptures impress with their beauty and grandeur. Repeated restorations revealed early 15th century murals. The latest restoration took place between 1957 and 1960.
Banffy Palace (Palatul Banffy)
Address: Piata Unirii
An imposing former residence of the Austro-Hungarian governors, Banffy Palace was designed by the German architect, Johann Eberhard Blaumann, for then-governor of the city, Banffy Gyorgy. Built between 1774 and 1775, it is considered the most representative example of baroque style in Transylvania. In 1951, the palace became the home of the Cluj National Art Museum (see museum details).
Calvinist Reformed Church
(Biserica Reformata)
Address: Str. Mihail Kogalniceanu 16
The building of this impressive church began in 1486 and was completed around 1516, with a pulpit added in 1646. The church, one of the largest in southeastern Europe, is a perfect illustration of the late gothic architectural style. Created in 1373 by the masters Martin and George of Cluj, the statue of St. George slaying the dragon, which stands in front of the church, was inspired by one of the world's most famous equestrian sculptures, a 14-th century statue displayed in centre of Prague. Organ concerts are frequently held in the church.
St. Peter and Paul Church
(Biserica Sf. Petru si Pavel)
Address: Blvd. 21 Decembrie 1989
Named for the apostles Peter and Paul, this gothic church was built between 1844 and 1848 on the foundation of an earlier church.
The imposing portal at the entrance was built by a priest, Biro Jozsef, after the Black Death struck the town (1738-1742). A statue of Saint Archangel Michael is centered above the main entrance, flanked on the left by John the Baptist, Saint Sebastian and Saint Charles Borromei, and on the right by Saint John the Evangelist, Saint Rocus and Saint John Nepomuc. The portal was moved here in 1899 from its former location at St. Michael's Church and was recently restored.
The statue of St. Mary is a beautiful and valuable baroque work of art by sculptor Schenbauer Antal, who created it for the consul, Kornis Antal, in 1744. The statue was removed from its former location at the crossroads of Kogalniceanu and Universitatii Streets and placed in the yard behind the church in 1961.
Tailors' Bastion (Bastionul Croitorilor)
Address: Piata Baba Novac
Dating from 1550, Tailors' Bastion is the only such structure still standing from the medieval fortified city.
Fortress Hill (Dealul Cetatuia)
For the best views of the city and the surrounding landscape, climb some 200 feet up Fortress Hill. The name refers to an Austrian fortress built here in the 18-th century to ensure control, rather than defense, of the city.
The fortress also served occasionally as a prison, and it was here that Stephan Ludwig Roth, the 1848 hero of the Transylvanian Saxons, was held, accused of high treason and executed at the northern gate on May 11, 1849.
![]()
Historic Churches
The Franciscan Monastery and Church (Manastirea si Biserica Franciscana)
Address: Str. Victor Deleu 4
Open: daily 7am - 7 pm
Free admission
One of the city's oldest structures, the Franciscan Monastery was built in the 15-th century on the site of an older church dating from 1273 and handed to the Dominican order by ruler Iancu de Hunedoara in 1455. Located at the south of the monastery complex, the church was offered as a gift to the Franciscans who restored it in baroque style around the year 1728.
Cathedral of the Transfiguration (Catedrala Schimbarea la Fata)
Address: Blvd. Eroilor 10
In 1764, the church was bought by Franciscan monks living on the outskirts of Cluj. Its tower practically crumbled 15 years later, thus destroying the whole frontispiece. Restoration work began in 1783 and the church was rebuilt in baroque style. In 1924, it was donated to the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church.
St. Mary Calvaria Church (Biserica Romano-Catolica Calvaria)
Address: Str. Manasturului 60
A powerful Benedictine abbey stood once at the western gates of the city, in the oldest quarter of the town. The abbey was known under the name Monasterium Beaae Mariae de Clus and it enjoyed outstanding rights and privileges. Benedictine monks settled in towards the end of the 11-th century. During the Tartar invasion of 1241, the abbey was pillaged and burned down. The building was restored in 1263 and the current monastery of Calvaria was built between 1470 and 1508 in gothic style.
Over the years, the monastery enjoyed periods of prosperity, but also underwent times of decay. In 1787, after the war against the Turks, Bishop Alexandru Rudnai decided to have both the church and the surrounding fortifications pulled down; only the altar was spared and it was later turned into a chapel. Nothing was left of the artistic assets of the church, except for a statue of the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus; the statue currently stands on a pedestal, under a gothic baldachin, above the entrance door. The chapel, dating to 1831, and the belfry, designed in 1922 by the renowned Hungarian architect Karoly Koos are noteworthy.
Jewish Cluj-Napoca
The New Synagogue (Sinagoga Noua)
Address: Str. Horea 21
The original grand Moorish-style synagogue, better known as the Memorial Temple of the Deportees (in memory of those who died in World War II), was designed by architect Hegner Izidor and opened on September 4th, 1887. Ruined 40 years later by the Iron Guard, a nationalistic Fascist organization of the time, it was restored in 1951 with the support of Romania's Jewish community.
![]()
Cluj National Museum of Art Alexandru Borza Botanical Garden (Gradina Botanica Alexadru Borza)
Address: Str. Gheorghe Bilascu 42
Open: Mon. - Sun. 9:00am - 8:00pm
Admission charge
Cluj-Napoca Botanical Garden, one of the largest in southeastern Europe, is home to some 10,000 plant species. Within the grounds, you can visit a museum; several greenhouses with desert and tropical plants, including huge Amazonian water lilies; a Japanese garden with a brook and a Japanese-style house, and the Roman Garden with archeological relics from the Roman colony of Napoca.
Central Park (Parcul Central)
Hire a boat to row on the small lake or just enjoy a stroll in this 180-year old park.
Romulus Vuia Ethnographic Park (Parcul Etnografic Romulus Vuia)
Address: Str. Taietura Turcului
Email: contact@muzeul-etnografic.ro
www.muzeul-etnografic.ro
Open: Tue. - Sun. 10:00am - 6:00pm; Closed Mon.
Admission charge
Founded in 1929, the park exhibits some 90 Romanian, Saxon and Szekler traditional houses, sawmills, wells, potter's workshops, sheepfolds and outbuildings for grinding gold-bearing ores, sheep rearing, blacksmithing and tanning hides. The park also contains several 18th century wooden churches from the Transylvania region.
Opera Austrian Airlines - www.aua.com
Direct flights from/to: Vienna
Carpat Air - www.carpatair.ro
Direct flights from/to: Timisoara
Connecting flights (via Timisoara) from/to: Romania (Bucharest, Bacau, Constanta, Craiova, Iasi, Oradea, Sibiu, Suceava); France (Paris); Germany (Düsseldorf, Munich, Stuttgart); Greece (Athena); Hungary (Budapest); Italy (Bari, Bergamo/Milan, Bologna, Florence, Rome/Fiumicino, Venice, Verona, Turin); Republic of Moldova (Chisinau); Ukraine (Kiev, Lvov, Odessa)
Lufthansa – www.lufthansa.com
Direct flights from/to: Munich
Malev - www.malev.com
Direct flights from/to: Budapest
Tarom - www.tarom.ro
Direct flights from/to: Romania (Bucharest, Constanta); Austria (Vienna); Germany (Frankfurt); Italy (Bologna); Spain (Madrid); Switzerland (Geneva, Zurich)
WizzAir - www.wizzair.com
Direct flights from/to: France (Paris); Germany (Dortmund); Italy (Bologna/Forli, Milan, Rome/Fiumicino, Venice); Spain (Barcelona, Madrid, Parma de Mallorca, Valencia); UK (London/Luton)
For the list of international trains with service to/from Romania please visit:
www.RomaniaTourism.com/Transportation.html#ByTrain
There are daily trains connecting Cluj-Napoca to Bistrita, Bucharest, Gura Humorului, Iasi, Oradea, Satu Mare, Sighetu Marmatiei, Suceava, Timisoara and several other cities in Romania.
There are daily INTERCITY (Express) trains connecting Cluj Napoca with Bucharest (journey time: 8 hours), Brasov (journey time: 5 hours), Medias (journey time: 2 ¾ hours), Sighisoara (journey time: 3 ½ hours), Oradea (journey time: 2 ¼ hours) and Timisoara (journey time: 5 hours).
To check the latest train schedules for domestic routes please visit the website of the Romanian Railways: www.infofer.ro
The site has complete information about domestic train schedules and fares.
Note: For departures from/to Timisoara please select Timisoara Nord.
For departures from/to Bucharest please select Bucuresti Nord.
SNCFR's advance booking office (Agentia de Voiaj SNCFR Cluj-Napoca)
Address: Piata Mihai Viteazu 11
Tel: (264) 432.001
Open: Mon. - Fri. 8:00am - 8:00pm; Closed Sat. & Sun.
You can get train schedule information and make reservations up to 24 hours in advance at this office. Tickets for same-day travel can only be purchased at the station.
| Distance from Cluj-Napoca to: | |
|---|---|
| City | Distance (Miles) |
| Bucharest | 270 |
| Arad | 158 |
| Belgrade | 280 |
| Brasov | 160 |
| Budapest | 275 |
| Constanta | 392 |
| Oradea | 90 |
| Prague | 532 |
| Satu Mare | 102 |
| Sibiu | 98 |
| Sighisoara | 90 |
| Suceava | 200 |
| Timisoara | 190 |
| Tulcea | 360 |
| Vienna | 390 |
Autonom
Address: Cluj Napoca Airport
Telephone: (264) 590.588 or 749 151.028
Email: cluj@autonom.ro
Web: www.autonom.com
Avis
Address: Cluj Napoca International Airport &
Blvd. 22 Decembrie 1989 nr.56 (Hotel Victoria)
Tel: (264) 439.403
Email: cluj.dt@avis.ro
Web: www.avis.ro
Aerocenter
Address: Piata Cipariu 15
Tel: (264) 439.117
Email: office@aerocenter.ro
Web: www.rentacar-romania.ro
Autorent (Dollar)
Address: Piata Cipariu 15
Tel: 740.002.000
Email: office@autorent.ro
Web: www.autorent.ro
EuroCars Romania
Address: Strada Rapsodiei 10
Tel: 0727 37 37 99
Email: office@eurocars.ro
Web:www.eurocars.ro
Europcar
Address: Cluj Napoca Airport
Email: cluj@europcar.com.ro
Web: www.europcar.com.ro
Hertz
Address: Traian Vuia Airport
Tel: (364) 401.722 or 747.297.849
Email: cluj.apt@hertz.com.ro
Web: www.hertz.com.ro
Rent-A-Car Cluj
Address: Str. Amurg 46
Tel: 746 150.353 or 745 615.755
Email: rezerv@rent-a-car-cluj.ro
Web: www.rent-a-car-cluj.ro
Rodna
Address: Str. Traian Vuia 62 & Cluj Napoca Airport
Telephone: (264) 450.711 or 741 217.166
Email: office@rodna-trans.ro
Web: www.rodna-trans.ro/en/
Menuett
Address: Piata Cipariu 15
Tel: 723 282.263
Email: dan.pantis@yahoo.com
Web: www.clujrentacar.com
Sixt
Address: Cluj Napoca International Airport
Tel: (264) 417.740 or 749 169.401
Email: email@sixt.ro
Web: www.sixt.ro
Tim Rent-A-Car Cluj
Address: Str. Aurel Vlaicu 44 & Cluj Napoca Airport
Telephone: 0745 179.555
Email: office@rent-a-car-cluj.com
Web: www.rent-a-car-cluj.com/en
Thrifty Car Rental Cluj
Cluj Airport
Address: Cluj-Napoca International Airport, Arrivals Hall
Str. Traian Vuia, Nr. 149, Cluj, CJ
Tel: +40 264 417881
Fax: +40 264 417881
Email: office@thrifty.ro
Web: www.thrifty.ro
For a list of available accommodations in Cluj-Napoca please
click here
or check our Accommodations guide.
Cluj Tourist Information Centre (Centrul de Informare Turistica)
Address: Blvd. Eroilor 6-8
Telephone: (264) 452.244 or 452.249
Email: info-tourism@primariaclujnapoca.ro
The Tourist Information Centre provides maps, brochures and information on accommodations, restaurants and transportation.
| Cluj-Napoca - Useful Telephone Numbers | |
|---|---|
| Cluj-Napoca Area Code (Prefix Cluj-Napoca) | 264 or 364 |
| Ambulance (Ambulanta) | 961 |
| Police (Politia) | 955 |
| Fire Department (Pompierii) | 981 |
| Local & County Archives (Arhivele locale) | (264) 598.979 |
| City Hall (Primaria) | (264) 196.030 |
| Better Business Bureau | (264) 431.368 |
| International calls (Convorbiri internationale) | 971 |
- City Map (Harta orasului Cluj-Napoca)
- Romania Maps (Harta Romaniei)