Skating in Cluj-Napoca

Back in 2004, a friend dragged us to the artificial skating rink behind the Reformed Church from Downtown Cluj. She was nagging us to go skating about some days. We were not sure about our ability to stay vertical but we finally hauled our 10 or 15 years old skates out of the back of our closet. Some of us, skated as kids, occasionally, on the skating rink from Gheorgheni neighborhood but it was long time ago.

So, bashfully and embarrassed because everyone else seemed to zoom around and we were far from zooming we shuffled. Shuffling, falling, lots of cheerful falling...

Since then, skating has become a group passion. We went skating at the arena in Gheorgheni neighborhood, on the Lake in the Central Park when weather permits, and at Iulius and Polus Mall too.



Cluj mobilizes you in this winter too! Both in the heart of the city or in the neighborhoods, the town entices you with plenty of opportunities for skating. Don't pretend to be tired, swap the coziness of home for skating!

For those who prefer natural ice, on cold winter days there is a true ice skating paradise on the Lake from the Central Park. This is the oldest outdoor ice skating rink in town. After a long afternoon on ice, you can indulge yourself with some cakes and tea in Quo Vadis.



Let yourself be whisked away at Club Arena, in Unirii Square, near the magnificent St Michael Church.

You can also glide across the ice at Fiesta Sport near Cora, on Ice Dream near Iulius Mall or in front of Billa Shopping Centre.

Fiesta Sport, 1800 sqm, near Cora Shopping Centre
Getting here: the easiest way to reach Cora Shopping Centre is by public transportation, the Cora line
Schedule: from 10, 12, 14,16,18, 20 for 1 1/2 hour and with 1/2 hour break
Entrance fee: 12 RON/adult, 7 RON/child
Skate rental: 8 RON
Wardrobe: 1 RON

Club Arena, 1200 sqm, Unirii Square
Getting here: city centre
Schedule: from 10, 12, 14, 16, 18:30, 20:30 for 1 1/2 hour and with 1/2 hour break
Entrance fee: 15 RON/adult, 10 RON/child
Skate rental: 10 RON
Wardrobe: free


Ice Dream, 1200 sqm, near Iulius Mall
Getting here: by public transportation, with bus 24, 24B from city centre or trolleybus 25
Schedule: from 10, 11:30, 15, 18, 20 for 1 1/2 hour with 1/2 hour break
Entrance fee: 12 RON/adult, 7 RON/child
Skate rental: 8 RON
Wardrobe: 1 RON

Ice Rink, 600 sqm, near Billa Shopping Centre
Getting there: by public transportation
Schedule: 12-16, 17-22
Entrance fee: 10 RON/adult/hour, 5 RON/child/hour
Skate rental: 5 RON/hour

December 1st, our National Day

On December 1st 1918 all Romanian territories were united in a single country called Romania. This day became the Romanian National Day, excepting the communist period when the National Day was on August 23rd (warmer and much more suited for mici and bear ... just kidding).

What will the people do here in Cluj on December 1st? Some will take a short vacation. I bet the malls will be very crowded, since many will go shopping for the forthcoming holidays. In the evening, many will go to watch the traditional fireworks in Avram Iancu square (I will watch it from my window, the view is better...and it's warm). Usually, there are some free concerts and a small military parade.

If you want to get around Cluj on this day, it may be difficult (even impossible in the evening) because parts of the city center are closed for traffic. Bars, coffee shops and restaurants are crowded, so be sure you've made a reservation if you decide to go out.

Have a good National Day, take a break and relaaax! Enjoy the fireworks!

Bruno bistro and wine bar

This charming wine bar is in the proximity of Museum Square, on Daicoviciu Street.

Bruno is a place that is open for everyone. To people who like wine, who love it, who are intrigued by it, who have no clue about it...Open to all those who feel some sort of an attraction to wine.

It is a casual and relaxed atmosphere, with oldies but goldies music, that invites you to enter into the magical world of wine in a pleasant way. They have a large selection of wine, most commonly served by the glass at the counter. Each wine you taste takes you somewhere, to South Africa, Australia, Chile, Italy, France, Portugal, Argentina, Spain, United States of America, Uruguay and Romania.
If you are not sure which kind of wine you want to drink, ask, and let them advise you.

If you want something to eat with your wine they offer platters with charcuteries and cheese.

The atmosphere is warm, the chats go often between tables and by the end of the evening, you will not be surprized to know all the people sitting next to you and to share a bottle of wine with them!

We wish you a good wine tasting experience in Bruno! Glug, glug, glug...

Photos courtesy of Sanziana Craciun.

13-14 November in Cluj

This week-end, the legendary Matthias Corvinus House will be transformed into a multi-brand shop to promote the collections of select designers. It will be possible to buy items from designers like: Smaranda Almasan, Iuliana Asoltanei, Atelierele Harniciei, Bloomy Neighborhood, Cornelia Brustureanu, Raluca Buzura, Mihaela Chiorean, Istvan Cimpan, Mihaelea Cirlugea, Diana Flore, Andreea Emilia Florea, Frost, Maria Hera, Agnes Keszeg, Alexandru Lupu, Andra Lupu, Odette Lupu, Noshasha, Nuka, Izabella Petrut, Oana Pop, Scarfs Stuff, Gabriela Urda si Yonatan Yepuru.
Traiectoria is another great promo for young designers.

Also, SoNoRo will be in town for its 5th edition.

Enjoy!

Teahouse in Cluj-Napoca

Fall is here. It's that time of year I like a lot. It's so tea-ish!



I enjoy all aspects of the art of tea whether it's the tea flavor, tea sets, tea-serving techniques, teahouses, tea refreshments, or even tea feasts. Every aspect can serve as a paradigm for both life and art.

Sometimes I enjoy the elegance of its aroma, sometimes the clearness of its coloring or the purity of its taste. I like the tea sets used to serve tea because they are refined, elegant, and colored in mild and tender hues, they come in a countless variety of shapes and forms, are beautifully artistic and meticulously crafted.
I appreciate the soft, graceful and restrained gestures of tea-serving techniques, the warm temperament of people serving tea. Cannot forget the tea snacks, usually delicate, visually pleasant, sweet tasting, and with a flowery aroma.

Typically, tea connoisseurs are unassuming and modest, courteous and reverent, gentle and warm, and amiable and easy to approach. All of them are respectful.



Sipping a cup of tea in the late afternoon is leisure. With your friends or alone you can enjoy one of the teahouses in Cluj. They have designs that cater to many different tastes. Each of them are meticulously decorated in a clear and distinct style.

• Amadeus Mozart Cafe
• Carturesti in Iulius Mall
• Demmers TeaHouse in Rhedey Palace
• Flowers TeaHouse - in Unirii Square, joyous, exuberant
• La Port - on Hermann Oberth Street, beautiful, fine-featured music and dance performances
• Le Sultan - Museum Square, same place as CE?, fragrant and attractive
• Qui One Quint - on Cismigiu Street, hidden retreat, re-mold the memories of Russian and Austrian traditions, it's more a salon teahouse
• Quo Vadis - British-style teahouse, warm
• Samsara Chill OUT TeaHouse - colorful and magnificent
• The Tea Road - on Baba Novac Street, simple and clear

As a final note, my car number plate do not carry the name TEA and on my death bed my final words shall not be TEA!

Photos courtesy of Wagner - arte frumoase si povesti.

SoNoRo in Cluj-Napoca

SoNoRo will be back in Cluj-Napoca for its 5th Edition.

Friday, 12th November, Reformed Church

Goldberg Variations

Free entrance

Saturday, 13th November, Babes Bolyai University, Auditorium Hall

Da Capo - Happy Birthday SoNoRo!

Ticket price: 40/20 RON

Sunday, 14th November, The Tailor's Tower

From Vienna to Cluj - Matinee

Free etrance

Sunday, 14th November, Diesel Club

Fantango

Ticket price: 60/30 RON

Last year, a friend offered me an invitation to this festival. This year, the director of the festival invites all of you to join SoNoro.

Dear music lovers,

November, the SoNoRo month, is coming closer! We are very happy to invite you to our concerts in Bucharest, Iasi and Cluj from the 30th of October to the 14th of November.

The fifth SoNoRo Festival Un ballo in maschera will feature music inspired by masks, ball and carnival. This year’s programme is built around the masterworks of Robert Schumann and Fréderic Chopin, the two composers whose 200th birth anniversary is celebrated in 2010.

The motives of masks and carnival will be present in the video and film projections of the festival as well as in the exhibition of two wonderful photographers, Hiroshi Watanabe (Los Angeles) and Dragoş Lumpan (Bucharest).

After the SoNoRo Festivals’s successfull performances at the famous Carnegie Hall in New York in February and at the Wigmore Hall in London in March, we are delighted to return to Bucharest, Iasi and Cluj and celebrate our 5th anniversary in your company - this time in maschera !

Welcome to the magic world of music and masks!

With my very best wishes,


Răzvan Popovici
Violist &
Director of the SoNoRo Festival

October Cluj Festivals

Cluj-Napoca is one of the leading cultural centres of Romania. The range of festivals is broad, powerful, diverse and attractive for town's own occupants, Romanian visitors and foreign visitors alike.

This October, Cluj can present itself as Cluj Festival City as three important festivals will take place here:

• Cluj Musical Autumn: 29.09 - 22.10
• Comedy Cluj: 08.10 - 17.10
• Temps d'Images: 11.10 - 20.10

Cluj Musical Autumn

Almost a month full of exciting, musical and artistic encounters at Students' Cultural House, Music Academy "Gh. Dima", National Art Museum and churches.

Come along on 19th October, from 7PM, at Music Academy "Gh.Dima", to listen the magnificent Romanian Piano Trio playing Ravel and Dvorak and the next day, on 20th, at Students' Cultural House to enjoy the 12 cellos of Napocelli.

 

The closing concert will be among the highlights of the festival as Daniel Goiti, an amazing classical piano player and teacher from our town, will perform Beethoven and the orchestra will play undoubtedly the most buoyant and colorful of the four legends of Sibeliu's suite, Lemminkäinen's Return.

Comedy Cluj
The film festival focuses on films in which the Comic rules.
By identifying new talent, as well as trends and themes, the festival is for both genre fans as well as the more general film lovers. Artistic tour de force or popcorn film, low budget, all is welcome at Comedy Cluj. The festival is also a place where visitors and guests can meet each other in an informal atmosphere.

If you like Jim Carrey you must see I love you, Philip Morris. You may also loudly laugh at Bal-can-can  and Hokkabaz, Muzika, The Boat That Rocked and Secretul lui Nemesis.

Temps d'Images
The 3rd edition of Temps d'Images is of exciting, musical, dance, video, theater and artistic encounters in the old Paint Brush Factory or at Tranzit House, Tailors' Tower, National Theatre of Cluj, Hungarian Theatre of Cluj. Again, we'll be surprised by the special combination of different music and visual arts, by the crossover of different styles of dance and other art forms, all with two common denominators: high artistic quality and an international dimension.

"...when the desire vanishes only reality remains...", this is an invitation to go and see Vava Stefanescu in "Solo Tu", at Tranzit House, on 13th October, from 8 PM.

Photos courtesy of Romanian Piano Trio, ColectivA.

Samsara Chill OUT TeaHouse

If you are in town and want to escape to a world of tranquility stroll along Racovita Street, number 27 it's the home of an almost hidden tea house.

Samsara ChillOut TeaHouse is a spot to refresh the mind and renew the spirit, both indoor and outdoor.

A cup of tea is a real treat! It seems that the art of serving the tea properly has always been of utmost importance in this place. The tea is served with small treats. Sandwiches are also available.

You can also enjoy the ins and outs of proper good-tasting hookahs and wines.

The ambiance of this tea house is just as important as the quality of the tea. The rooms have been each created in a unique style.
One is classic with colorful high back chairs and a bright interior.
One is oriental with low level seating. Low level tables, pillows and lamps artfully displayed create a warm ambiance of romantic intrigue.

The last room is darker and atmospheric. Entering the room you got the feeling that there is a continuous flow like someone is keep creating worlds and inviting you to move into them. The psytrance vibes surrounds you.

There is a hammock in the garden, wooden tables, logs to sit on and three happy dogs.

We decided not to publish any pictures from Samsara. Just visit the place!

Monday-Friday: 1PM - 2AM
Saturday-Sunday: 3PM - 3AM

Note: It's forbidden to smoke inside, only hookahs allowed. You have to take off your shoes.

Comedy Cluj 2010

Charlie Chaplin or Buster Keaton once said that tragedy is a close-up, comedy a long shot. We invite You to bet on long shots at the Comedy Cluj film festival, 8 - 17 October 2010, in Cluj-Napoca.

The organizing team has once again built a content-rich edition that will stimulate the interest of a wide section of the public with its almost 100 first-rate, original comedies.

The routes through the historic centre of Cluj give you the chance to easily get to Cinema Republica, Arta and Victoria. Additional locations for the festival are Tranzit House and Polus Drive In.

Ticket: 10 RON
Reduced ticket (pupil, students, retired): 8 RON
Festival Pass for 5/10 movies: 40/80RON.

In the end, everything is just a gag, so enjoy the festival!

We will baroque you at Cluj Musical Autumn International Festival

On 29th of September the 43rd edition of the Cluj Musical Autumn International Festival will start with a Baroque concert in the ambiance of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The concert starts at 7:30 PM and is performed by the Baroque Ensemble Transylvania and Fior di Suono.

Since the Transylvania State Philharmonic does not have its own concert hall, the festival's concerts will be organized in churches or at the Student Cultural House.

Tickets and festival passes can be purchased from the "headquarter" of the State Philharmonic, in Lucian Blaga Square, at the Student Cultural House, Monday to Thursday from 10 AM to 4 PM and on Friday from 10 AM to 2 PM.

You can find the complete festival program here: Toamna Muzicala Clujeana 2010.

Till the festival starts you can enjoy the musical fountain. 

Photos courtesy of Baroque Ensemble Transylvania.

The musical fountain

The musical fountain is situated in front of the Orthodox Cathedral and the National Theatre. It is built around the statue of Avram Iancu, an important Tansylvanian historical figure. The fountain is a recent addition to the city centre. Especially in the evenings and on weekends, there are many people hanging around and watching the show.

Visit it if you have the chance! It's quite nice.

September events

This weekend (September 10 to 12)  you can attend the Outdoor Cooking Championship at Polus Center.
The Circus is still at Polus Center.You can see the show (fee is 30 RON for adults and 20 RON for children) or just look at the elephants (for free)...
September Fest takes place next weekend (September 17 to 19) at Sports Hall. As usual, there will be lots of beer and mici and also singing (some Romanian bands).

Have fun!

St Michael Church

The economic development experienced by Cluj in the first half of the 14th century made possible the construction of the Roman-Catholic parish church in what is today the central square of the city (Unirii Square). Dedicated to the Holy Archangel Michael, the church is the first Transylvanian example of a complete three-nave Gothic hall-church.

The construction work, mentioned in a 1349 indulgence, proceeded in several stages and was completed in 1481 with the building of the western rostrum and of Schleynig chapel on the ground floor of the southwestern tower.

In 1528, on the north side of the chancel they built a sacristy fitted with a beautiful portal in the South-German Renaissance style, which bears the inscription with the name of the donor - parish priest Johannes Clyn (Klein). The Neo-Gothic tower, erected on the north side, was completed in 1863. The tower with its height of 76 meter (80 meter including the cross) is the highest one in Transylvania.

The Jewish Face of Cluj-Napoca

Jewry appeared in the history of Cluj-Napoca by the beginning of the 16th century, nevertheless for a few centuries the community had no direct interference with the life of the town, because due to restrictive regulations no permanent Jewish population could develop. The first law to make their settlement in  towns possible, was passed in 1840, consequently the Israelite population in Cluj started to increase such as in 1846 the number of Jewish families was 58. A synagogue was built of stone, in the classical style, in today's Paris Street, in 1851.

The schism of the Israelite denomination in Hungary came by with the Budapest 1868 Hebrew congress, this is when the community separated into orthodox and congressional groups. The congressional congregation built a synagogue in 1887 on Horea Street. The great moor style church was constructed by the Horvath brothers and Remenyik Karoly, according to the design made by the local railway engineer Izidor Hegner.

The old Jewish synagogue, "Poale Tzedek" (from the Nameless street) is now serving as a cultural center in the community of Cluj.

The 1941 census reported 16 763 persons of Israelite religion in Cluj, thus, the Jewish community gave around 13-15% of the town population between the two world wars. The mother tongue and culture of their majority was Hungarian.

The social structure of the Jewish society in Cluj reveals a middle-class community actively engaged in the economic and cultural life of the town. For example, in 1930, form among the 435 companies registered at the Trade Registry, 246 were owned by Hebrews and the central stored were almost without exception owned by them. Writers, poets, journalists of Jewish origin emerged in the cultural life of Transylvania and Cluj mainly after the Treaty of Trianon. Cluj was the home of lawyer Karacsony Beno. Janovics Jeno had a significant impact on the history of Hungarian drama in Transylvania and Cluj; by founding a company of film in 1910, Janovics was the pioneer of silent cinema in Transylvania and he also took an active part in the theatrical life of Cluj. The painter Lazar Eva belonged to the Baia Mare group. The Goldmark Philharmonic Association was founded in 1936; consisting of physicians, engineers and teachers gave symphonic concerts of resounding success.

The census in 2002 recorded 223 Jews in Cluj. The 6163/1944 decree issued on the 7th of April 1944 by the Ministry of Interior decided that Jews had to be sent in ghettos. As a consequence of the decree the administration obligated 16.750 Jews to wear the yellow star and sent them away to the brick factory. The built up area of the brick factory amounted to 19.600 m^2, allocating 1,17 m2 to a person. The first train departed from the brick factory on the 25^th of May deporting 3130 persons to the death camps. The second one left Cluj on 29th of May with 3417 persons, the third one deported 3270 Jews on 31^st of May, the forth one 3100 on the 2nd of June, the fifth one 1784 on the 8th of June and the sixth one 1447 on the 9th of June. Thus a total number of 16 148 persons were packed in trains and transported to Birkenau just a few months before the end of the war.

Amadeus Mozart Cafe

If you think, "How good a cake can be?", think again and go to Amadeus Mozart Cafe on Cardinal Iuliu Hossu Street (former Pavlov) at number 7.

Once you step in you'll think you're lost in time in a cafe from Mozart's Wien. The warm welcome of the classically-attired waitress will made you realize you're in the right place.

The charming atmosphere with classical music and sometimes piano concerts would alone merit a visit, but there's much more to the place besides the decor. The first-rate cakes with nuts, chocolate, mascarpone, orange, pineapple, poppy-seed and apple, peach, the gofre, the somloi goluska will always be winners here.

You can pick the cake from the fridge (ask for help, the staff will guide you if necessary) and be aware that you'll need to devote longer than you plan if you visit the place as the slices are huge.

Along with the cakes you can enjoy the various types of coffee which can be served also in decaf version or drink a delicious tea.

Also, you can find here high quality sweet treats, most of all the "Genuine Reber Mozart Kugeln" exquisitely filled with pistachio marzipan, almonds and hazelnut covered with milk chocolate and bitter sweet chocolate.

At Mozart Cafe I never know what I want when I walk in the door. Hm, that's a lie: I know that I do want at least one bite of Schwarzwalder Kirsch Torte and a cup of tea but there are so many other things to try, I know I should branch out a bit more.

Note: Amadeus Mozart Cafe is a no smoking cafe.

Museum Square

Another place in Cluj to concentrate much of this city's history is the Small Square, as it had been named for many centuries, Carolina Square or Museum Square at present. If you want to set foot in 700-years old streets and find there the traces of the whole history of the city, then you should linger as there are many interesting things to admire.

As a testimony of the Roman heritage on this land, which attests the glorious two millennium age of Cluj, stand the unearthing in front of the Franciscan Monastery next to the Franciscan Church.

The western side of the square is dominated by a construction raised by Daniel Petrechevich-Horvath, which has come to fulfill its original destiny of a cultural institution just recently, since 1937, when it was taken over by the History Museum of Transylvania.

The building opposite the Museum was inhabited by the historian Kovari Laszlo and the adjacent one, by the Romanian ophthalmologist Ioan Molnar-Piariu between 1791 and 1815.

The centre of the square is dominated by the Carolina Obelisk, the imposing 10 meters statue which was dedicated to the 1817 visit of emperor Francisc I and his wife. The bas-reliefs which were sculpted on the sides of the statue depict scenes from their historic visit to Cluj and also displays the former emblem of the city.


And if exploration of so many wonderful sights filled your soul, but exhausted the body, you may also stay for a drink at the nearby fancy terraces or bars: Euphoria, CE, Bruno Wine Bar, Galeriile Fortuna.

Franciscan Church

The Franciscan Church and monastery were built in the first medieval centre of the town, in today's Museum Square. The Church was the first place of worship of medieval Cluj-Napoca. It was erected around 1260 until 1290 in the place of a pagan temple and the old church of the settlement destroyed during an invasion of the Tartars who plundered the city. The locals have always known this place of worship as the "church of the brethren", which derives from the Hungarian "barat", meaning brother monk.

The church is the burial place of many prominent Hungarian aristocrats. Theatrical plays were performed here and the Gothic monastery next to the church hosted a printing house for the first half of the 20th century under the name of Saint Bonaventura.

The latest restorations performed on the building brought to light the Romanesque style of the original construction, yet the facade displays Gothic elements which were screened by the Baroque alterations introduced in the time of the Franciscan monks. A 52-meter high tower with a bulbed roof, the most recent and important element of the Baroque, covered the central window in the 18th century.

Johannes Nachtigall sculptured the statues of patron saint Virgin Mary, St Jeremiah and St Anthony. The main altar, divided by three columns with Doric and Ionic capitals, displays a copy of a painting of Virgin Mary from Santa Maggiore Church in Rome. The painting is flanked by the statues of St Stephen and St Joseph.

Photos courtesy of Sanziana Craciun.

The Four Seasons in town

Artist-Center.ro and Hungarian Cultural Days in Cluj-Napoca invite you to join us this Sunday for an unforgettable getaway including a live concert in Unirii Square.

The Chamber Orchestra of Transylvania Philharmonic with Concertmaster Melinda Beres will prove that a work as popular as Vivaldi's The Four Seasons can still sound fresh and vibrant.

Time: 8 pm; August 22, 2010
Place: Unirii Square; Cluj-Napoca city centre

Free entrance!

What?

Part of the fun of visiting a new city is sampling food and drink. Sometimes you make fabulous new discoveries - and if you don't like something, well you never need to order it again.

You really should sample some cocktails in Museum Square number 5, in CE? (WHAT? is the name of the bar). If their cocktails really inspire you, feel free to write something on their walls.

On every Wednesday they organize a seminar on specific cocktails. Go there, cheers are all around!

My name is ClujWizard and I'm addicted to grandma's cake. What about you?

Photos courtesy of Ce?

I.L. Caragiale Park

Experience a small green side of Cluj in the city centre. Located close to Museum Square, Caragiale Park is a wonderful place to walk, skate or sit back, relax and watch people.

The park is a Mecca for skaters and bikers.

Iron Maiden in Cluj-Napoca

Iron Maiden are coming to Cluj on August 15th. The event will take place at Polus Center Mall. Cargo, a Romanian Heavy Metal band will be singing in the opening. The price of the ticket is 20 EUR+VAT (24%).

Iron Maiden - Transylvania

Car rentals

If you want to rent a car in Cluj, you can book it online in advance and pick it up at the airport or in the city. There are many car rental services such as PHP, Avis, Hertz or Rodna (you can find more companies on the Cluj Airport webpage).The prices start from 23 EUR per day for a Dacia Logan, VAT (24%) not included. If you want to rent for more than 20 days, the prices drop to at least 19 EUR.

Bike rentals

If you enjoy getting around by bike, you can rent one in the following places:

DownTown Rent a Bike,on 13 David Ferenc Street. The company rents 8 city bikes and 4 MB.
Fees:
1h = 7 RON
24h = 35 RON
helmet/24h = 10 RON

UmiBike Snow, on 12 I.C. Bratianu Street, also rents bikes, but they said that they intend to close their business in the near future, so give a phone call before, 0740-074851.

Since July 1st until October you can rent a bike for free (with your identity card), for two hours, near the Sports Hall. 

Tiramisu and Cremeschnitte in Cluj

If you want to enjoy a creamy Tiramisu and/or a vanilla Cremeschnitte in Cluj, you should go to Euphoria, in Museum Square. Ask a friend to join you, the "dose" is huge!

I have no idea what the Italian motto is, I think they are a bit less restrained when it comes to Tiramisu, which they invented. Since they invented it, I'm in no position to tell the Italians what to do. BUT...if they are looking for a motto, as far as I'm concerned, they might want to consider: Mascarpone, Espresso and Chocolate.

I have no idea, about the history of Cremeschnitte but it's a tasty crispy cake with vanilla cream. If there is somebody who knows anything about the history of it, please share it with us.

Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite is the motto for today, July 14. At the dessert's table should be no exception!

The Reformed Church on Kogalniceanu Street

The Woolf Street, today Kogalniceanu Street, is ruled by the dignified block of the tower less church built in Gothic style. Its enormous gable "is a big A letter, with a compassionate entrance between its sides" (Zoltan Jekely).

The construction of the church began in the year 1486 for the Franciscans on the order of King Matthias. The first document referring to the construction of the church is from September 9, 1486, the judge of the city and the town council gave the area besides the Tailor's Bastion to the Franciscans, on which both the monastery and the church could be built. Before 1516 the church and the monastery built in the honor of Virgin Mary were already finished. The organ was made before 1534.

In 1556, Dominicans and Franciscans had abandon the city and the church on the Wolf Street was left deserted for three and a half decades. Yet, it had visitors. In 1577 somebody scratched on the southern pillars the following taunting poem "Qui non canit in coro/Stat, sicut bos in foro" (Who doesn't sing in the choir, stands like an ox in the market).

In 1581, the monastery received inhabitants once again, Istvan Bathory, the reigning prince of Transylvania granted the ensemble of buildings to the Jesuit order and to their academy which was educating almost 150 young people. In the summer of 1603, the population instigated by the Unitarian preacher chased out the fathers from the city and devastated the church and monastery. The church's arch collapsed and the monastery was used as a quarry and the sanctuary of the church was transformed into a warehouse.

In 1638 Gyorgy Rakoczi I initiated the restoration of the church bringing competent master-builders from Kurland (today Latvia). The restoration and the heightening of the southern bell-tower could be linked with their names.

The hexagonal painted sandstone pulpit with alabaster insertions is the masterpiece of the 17th century Transylvanian  stone-cutting, the work of Elias Nicolai and Benedikt Mueck, masters from Sibiu. Made out of cypress, the painted and gilded pulpit-crown was set up in April 1647. The pews which fill in the intercolumniations are handiwork of joiners from Sighisoara and Bistrita. The renewed church was sanctified on the 30th June 1647.

The southern bell-tower didn't manage to hold for long the weight of the bell, it had to be demolished again and the bells were moved to the belfry which stood in the place where the parish is today. The first organ of the church was assembled in 1765 in the sanctuary's organ-loft made out of wood. The inlaid decorated holy table was made in the 1820s. The new organ made by the Angster company form Pecs was placed in 1913.

The unique collection of the funeral crests and printed crests from the 17th-19th centuries which hang on the pews and walls, was gradually formed and its purpose is to immortalize the memory of the deceased protectors and bereaved. A few gilded funeral crests cherish the memory of the old burial habits. The only reference today to the old funerals of the church are two burial plates and the grave of the reigning prince Mihaly Apafi I.