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Arad
Arad County - Bihor County - Caras Severin County - Timis County
Hotels in Arad - Travel Agencies in Arad
Other zones : Dobrogea - Maramures - Moldova and Bucovina - Muntenia and Oltenia - Transylvania
GENERAL INFO
geographical situation: Arad is situated in the western part of Romania, from an altitude of 1,486 m (Gaina peak) in the east to one of 90 m in the west, on both banks of the Mures and Crisul Alb rivers;
neighbours: in the south-Timis; in the east-Hunedoara, Alba; in the north-Bihor; in the west-Hungary;
surface: 7,754 square km (respectively 3,2 % of the countrys territory);
population: 479,500 inhabitants;
towns: ARAD-capital of the county (with 187,000 inhabitants, it is placed on the main road between Transylvania and the Pannonian Plain, also named The Town on Mures, at an altitude of 110 m, between the banks of the western course river, at 20 km away from the mountains); Chisineu-Cris; Curtici (border station with Hungary); Ineu (railway junction); Lipova (spa); Nadlac (border station with Hungary); Pancota; Sebis;
relief: it is structured on three geographical levels, increasing in height from west to east: the Western Plain, the Western Hills and the Western Carpathians (represented by the Zarand and Codru Moma Mountains; and also by a part of Gaina Massif);
climate: it is essentially moderate-continental, with not very cold winters and quite warm summers, the largest number of days with temperature above zero;
watercourses: the county is crossed from east to west by: Mures (the lower basin, in the south, on a distance of 200 km), Crisul Alb, Crisul Negru (about 15 km, in the north), Teuz, Cigher.
TOURISTIC SIGHTS
MOUNTAINS
The Codru-Moma Mountains-although less known, they can be considered as one of the most interesting tourist areas of the Western Carpathians due to some beautiful and spectacular landscapes: vertical walls hundreds of metres in height, vast dedidous forests (hence the name Codru-forest), the Vascau Karst Plateau (its western rim touches Arad county borderline);
CAVES
The Bats Cave-(near Moneasa), it is beautifully decorated with stalactites and stalagmites of all sizes; it is here that the brook which passes by the old health centre of Moneasa resort has its source;
The Crystal Cave-in black limestone rock;
The Fountain of the Bears Ravine.
PRESERVES AND MONUMENTS OF NATURE
Bezdin-(near Pecica), complex preserve on a surface of 25 hectares, famous for its white water lily;
Dendrological parks-Peris (with oaks more than 600 years old), Savarsin, Macea.
SPAS
Lipova-(at an altitude of 138 m, 35 km away from Arad), watering and climatic place in the Mures meadow, surrounded by oak forests. Attested in documents since 1315, its mineral water springs are known since the 16th century. The climate is moderate-continental, with Mediterranean influences. The average annual temperature is of 10,5oC (in June, average temperature of 25oC, in January -2oC), the spa being protected from winds. As treatment facilities, we can mention: facilities for warm mineral water baths; devices for internal mineral water cure; facilities for electro- and hydrotherapy; solarium for aeroheliotherapy. Access: by train (Radna railway station, on the Bucharest-Arad line, or on Timisoara-Radna line); by road (DN 7 from Arad or Deva to Lipova and DJ 691 Timisoara-Lipova);
Moneasa-(at an altitude of 280 m, 101 km away from Arad and 18 km away from Sebis), watering and climatic place, its mineral waters have been appreciated since the Roman ages. The resort lies at the foot of the Codru-Moma Mountains and is surrounded by magnificent landscape: peaks covered with forests, Karst phenomena, red marble, clear brooks. The climate is moderate-continental, with cool summers and mild winters. Treatment facilities: devices for warm mineral water baths in tubs and pools; devices for electro- and physiotherapy; gyms and massage rooms; paraffin treatments; outdoor mesothermal water pools; solariums for aeroheliotherapy. Access: by road (DN 709 and DJ 762 Arad-Moneasa; DN 76 and DJ 762 Brad-Moneasa); by train (Sebis railway station, on Arad-Brad line).
HISTORICAL VESTIGES
The Stone Fortress, Siria-(1331) it used to be a royal castle, the most important masters were: Iancu of Hunedoara, King Sigismund of Louxemburg, Serb despot George Brancovici, Matei Corvin, Bathory Family;
The Stone Fortress of Soimus-Lipova, (1278);
Agris Fortress-(1400);
Taut Fortress-Taut, (12th century, ruins);
Arad Fortress-(16th century);
The Bohut Castle-it was built in Neoclassical style in the 19th century, it hosts Ion Slavici and Emil Montia collections;
- The Brazii Castle-Brazii, it was built in Neoclassical style, (1800);
- The Bulci Castle-(Mocioni, the 19th century);
- The Conop Castle-the 18th century, Stefan Cicio-Pop's mansion;
- The Curtici Castle-(1769);
- The Soimos Castle-Lipova;
- The Macea Castle-it has a beautiful botanical garden;
- The Savarsin Castle-(1870), former royal estate;
- The Sira-Galsa Castle-(17th century), it was built in Baroque style.
RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS
The Hodos-Bodrog Monastery, Bodrogul Nou-it was built in 1177, represents one of the oldest monuments of this type from Romania; we can find here valuable paintings, a lot of manuscripts and other items;
- Serb Church-Arad, (1698, it was built in Baroque style);
- Saint Florian - Chapel- Arad, (1752);
- Wooden churches-Buceava, Grosii Noi, Halmagiu, Savarsin;
- Voivodal Orthodox Church-Halmagiu, (15th century);
- Orthodox Church-Lipova, (14th century);
- Saint Simon - Monastery-Arad-Gai, (1760-1762);
- Monastery-Bezdin, (1334);
- Franciscan Monastery-Lipova, (1756).
MONUMENTS AND STATUES
The Monument of the Romanian Soldiers, Arad-it was built in memory of those who died for the liberation from the German occupation in World War II;
The Monument of the Heroes, Paulis-the place where many terrible battles were fought between Romanian and German troops during World War II.
ETNOGRAPHY
One of the most famous ethnographic areas is local Zarandului Land, which preserves pieces of great value and originality. Some imporant localities in this respect are: Barsa (folk costume and pottery), Barzava (pottery centre), Burchis-Capalnas (red pottery and folk sleveless jackets); Buteni (folk costume: dominantly red and black costumes, fur coats, sheepskin coats).
Source: Romanian Travel Guide / Publirom
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