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!
Showing posts with label About Cluj. Show all posts
Showing posts with label About Cluj. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
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 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.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
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 m2, allocating 1,17 m2 to a person. The first train departed from the brick factory on the 25th 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 31st 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.
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 m2, allocating 1,17 m2 to a person. The first train departed from the brick factory on the 25th 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 31st 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.
Monday, August 30, 2010
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Transfiguration of our Lord Cathedral in Cluj-Napoca
The present cathedral, on Eroilor Street, was built by the Franciscan Minor Conventual Friors between 1775 and 1779, occupying the Henter House area and other areas bought by them, the monks Ioan Sandor and Balint Heja taking care of all prerequisites for the building process, one of the builders being Francisc Kirtner.
On September 4, 1779, with the church almost entirely built, the tower collapsed, affecting the front side. After long parleys, Queen Therese donated 7000 florins for the reconstruction of the tower and the front side, the mission being entrusted to the famous architect Eberhard Blaumann, who fulfilled the work late 1783.
After 1918, with a serious increase of the number of Greek-Catholics in Cluj, the Holy Marry Reunion in Cluj wrote a memorial to his Grace Vasile Suciu, the Metropolitan Bishop, asking for the purchase of the Franciscan Minor Conventual Church. The memorial was forwarded to Rome, and in 1924, the Franciscan Order, gave the church and all its belongings to Holy Father Pius XI who on April 29, 1926, donates it to the Metropolitan Church of Alba Iulia and Fagaras.
Starting 1948, the Greek Catholic Church was abusively used by the Romanian Orthodox Church, but after the fall of the communist regime, a process started to be taken back and on March 13, 1998, the first Greek Catholic Mess in 50 years is celebrated again.
The church is built in stone and bricks in a simplified baroque style. It is adorned in Byzantine style, with interior frescoes painted by Franscis Lohr in 1934 and restored by Coriolan Munteanu in 1968, with beautiful stained-glass in the widows. The wall in the altar and the windows are still wearing the heraldic of the Franciscan Order.
On September 4, 1779, with the church almost entirely built, the tower collapsed, affecting the front side. After long parleys, Queen Therese donated 7000 florins for the reconstruction of the tower and the front side, the mission being entrusted to the famous architect Eberhard Blaumann, who fulfilled the work late 1783.
After 1918, with a serious increase of the number of Greek-Catholics in Cluj, the Holy Marry Reunion in Cluj wrote a memorial to his Grace Vasile Suciu, the Metropolitan Bishop, asking for the purchase of the Franciscan Minor Conventual Church. The memorial was forwarded to Rome, and in 1924, the Franciscan Order, gave the church and all its belongings to Holy Father Pius XI who on April 29, 1926, donates it to the Metropolitan Church of Alba Iulia and Fagaras.
Starting 1948, the Greek Catholic Church was abusively used by the Romanian Orthodox Church, but after the fall of the communist regime, a process started to be taken back and on March 13, 1998, the first Greek Catholic Mess in 50 years is celebrated again.
The church is built in stone and bricks in a simplified baroque style. It is adorned in Byzantine style, with interior frescoes painted by Franscis Lohr in 1934 and restored by Coriolan Munteanu in 1968, with beautiful stained-glass in the widows. The wall in the altar and the windows are still wearing the heraldic of the Franciscan Order.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
The Evangelic Cat
God saved the cat! Actually, A&J saved the cat, almost five years ago, late September. El Pisun was stuck in a drain pipe of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, built between 1816 - 1829, from Cluj city centre.
I don't know if El Pisun was a fan of baroque and neoclassic style or it found out that the church has stones from the Round Bastion incorporated in it. Maybe it was a fellow of George Winkler, the architect of the church or enjoyed the paintings from the sanctuary by Johannn Gentiluomo.
Or maybe it was just a melomaniac and during an organ concert it dripped in the pipe.
I'm pretty sure that after being saved El Pisun followed the words scratched on the facade of the church: "PIETATI".
I don't know if El Pisun was a fan of baroque and neoclassic style or it found out that the church has stones from the Round Bastion incorporated in it. Maybe it was a fellow of George Winkler, the architect of the church or enjoyed the paintings from the sanctuary by Johannn Gentiluomo.
Or maybe it was just a melomaniac and during an organ concert it dripped in the pipe.
I'm pretty sure that after being saved El Pisun followed the words scratched on the facade of the church: "PIETATI".
Thursday, June 24, 2010
The rain stopped
After several days of heavy rain, light rain, depressive rain and thunder storms, last evening the rain stopped.
The surroundings of Cluj and the railway are under water. But there is hope of dryer times.
It's good seeing the sun in the morning!
The surroundings of Cluj and the railway are under water. But there is hope of dryer times.
It's good seeing the sun in the morning!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Matthias Corvinus House
In the Mehffi House of Cluj (later known as "Matthias House"), Elisabeth Szilagyi, the wife of John Hunyadi, gave birth to the couple's second son, Matthias. According to a document written several generations later, Matthias was born on the ground floor of the building, in the first room on the left of the Gothic door which can be seen even today.
In the 16th century, when the Cluj cult of the great king was full revival, the room was marked with an inscription whose text survives in a 1758 transcription "Matthias, of fond memory, by the grace of God King of Hungary, Bohemia, Dalmatia, and Croatia, son of the late ruler John Hunyadi, was born here, in this room, in the third hour of the morning of March 27, in the year 1444, served his country faithfully and ruled happily until the end of his life".
In 1467 Matthias Corvinus showed his affection to the house in which he had been born by exempting its owners from ever paying taxes and other duties. This exemption, which turned "Matthias House" into a coveted piece of real-estate, was sanctioned and respected by later kings and princes.
Matthias Corvinus felt a strong connection to his native town. He made significant donations to Cluj, among them the royal borough of Cojocna. His decisions of 1467, 1478, 1485 encouraged the serfs who had paid by their obligations to their masters to take up residence in town. He also intervened in the conflict between the town and the abbey of Cluj-Manastur, forcing the latter to dismantle its walls in 1466.
One of the best-known and most popular historical legends of Cluj, found in Gaspar Heltai's chronicle, features Matthias as its main protagonist. Allegedly, Matthias came to Cluj incognito, disguised as a travelling student, seeking to find out how the town authorities were treating the citizens. Because he protested against the abuse perpetrated against free men, the town magistrate had him whipped and forced him to carry firewood to his household. Legend has it that Matthias took a lump of coal and wrote the following on three logs found in the magistrate's yard: "King Matthias was here! Where has justice gone?". Released at dusk, the king returned to his camp in Gilau. The following day he returned to town, this time at the head of his army, punished the town magistrate and ordered the strict observance of the laws which forbade the abusive exploitation of the labor of free men.
Nowadays, The University of Arts and Design promote the contemporary art in the cellars of the Matthias House. Students and graduates have the opportunity to exhibit their best creations here.
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In the 16th century, when the Cluj cult of the great king was full revival, the room was marked with an inscription whose text survives in a 1758 transcription "Matthias, of fond memory, by the grace of God King of Hungary, Bohemia, Dalmatia, and Croatia, son of the late ruler John Hunyadi, was born here, in this room, in the third hour of the morning of March 27, in the year 1444, served his country faithfully and ruled happily until the end of his life".
In 1467 Matthias Corvinus showed his affection to the house in which he had been born by exempting its owners from ever paying taxes and other duties. This exemption, which turned "Matthias House" into a coveted piece of real-estate, was sanctioned and respected by later kings and princes.
Matthias Corvinus felt a strong connection to his native town. He made significant donations to Cluj, among them the royal borough of Cojocna. His decisions of 1467, 1478, 1485 encouraged the serfs who had paid by their obligations to their masters to take up residence in town. He also intervened in the conflict between the town and the abbey of Cluj-Manastur, forcing the latter to dismantle its walls in 1466.
One of the best-known and most popular historical legends of Cluj, found in Gaspar Heltai's chronicle, features Matthias as its main protagonist. Allegedly, Matthias came to Cluj incognito, disguised as a travelling student, seeking to find out how the town authorities were treating the citizens. Because he protested against the abuse perpetrated against free men, the town magistrate had him whipped and forced him to carry firewood to his household. Legend has it that Matthias took a lump of coal and wrote the following on three logs found in the magistrate's yard: "King Matthias was here! Where has justice gone?". Released at dusk, the king returned to his camp in Gilau. The following day he returned to town, this time at the head of his army, punished the town magistrate and ordered the strict observance of the laws which forbade the abusive exploitation of the labor of free men.
Nowadays, The University of Arts and Design promote the contemporary art in the cellars of the Matthias House. Students and graduates have the opportunity to exhibit their best creations here.
Friday, June 11, 2010
A walk through Cluj-Napoca city center
If you are in Cluj-Napoca and the weather is fine, you should spend some time walking and enjoying the atmosphere of the city.
I always enjoy a walk in the city center (in any season). A good place to start is Museum's Square. Continue with Casa Matei Corvin, then go to Unirii Square. You will see the statue of Matei Corvin and St. Michael Catholic Cathedral. From there, go to Kogalniceanu Str. also known as Wolves alley. At the end of the street you will see the Reformed Church and Tailors' Tower, remains of medieval Cluj. Close to the tower, in front of the Orthodox Cathedral and National Theatre, you can enjoy the musical fountain, a quite new addition to our city center. Then you can rest or have a drink on Eroilor street.
I always enjoy a walk in the city center (in any season). A good place to start is Museum's Square. Continue with Casa Matei Corvin, then go to Unirii Square. You will see the statue of Matei Corvin and St. Michael Catholic Cathedral. From there, go to Kogalniceanu Str. also known as Wolves alley. At the end of the street you will see the Reformed Church and Tailors' Tower, remains of medieval Cluj. Close to the tower, in front of the Orthodox Cathedral and National Theatre, you can enjoy the musical fountain, a quite new addition to our city center. Then you can rest or have a drink on Eroilor street.
Some years ago I particularly enjoyed the fragrant linden trees on Eroilor street, in summer. Those old trees are gone now, but there are many left on Wolves alley.
Have a nice walk!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Opera House and National Theatre of Cluj
The Romanian Opera House of Cluj, established on 19 September 1919, is the oldest such institution in the country. Led by outstanding musicians such as the tenor Costantin Pavel, the Italian conductor Egisto Tango, composer Tiberiu Brediceanu, and baritone Dimitrie Popovici-Bayreuth, in the space of a few short months it managed to overcome the difficulties inherent to the debut of such an undertaking. During its nine decades of activity, the Cluj Opera House presented performances by reputed artists such as Lia Hubic, the "Transylvanian nightingale", and Ioan Piso.
The National Theatre of Cluj, founded by one of the greatest Transylvanian actors, Zaharia Barsan, is the major theatrical institution of Transylvania and one of the most prestigious in Romania. The inaugural performance of Cluj Theatre took place on 1 December 1919. Since the year 2000, under the directorship of critic Ion Vartic, its repertoire has featured interesting plays by classic and modern, Romanian and foreign playwrights, staged by major directors like Vlad Mugur, Mihai Maniutiu, Sanda Manu, Mona Chirila, Andrei Serban.
The National Theatre of Cluj, founded by one of the greatest Transylvanian actors, Zaharia Barsan, is the major theatrical institution of Transylvania and one of the most prestigious in Romania. The inaugural performance of Cluj Theatre took place on 1 December 1919. Since the year 2000, under the directorship of critic Ion Vartic, its repertoire has featured interesting plays by classic and modern, Romanian and foreign playwrights, staged by major directors like Vlad Mugur, Mihai Maniutiu, Sanda Manu, Mona Chirila, Andrei Serban.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Getting around by taxi
If you don't like Cluj public transport (which is very crowded sometimes) you can get around by taxi. There are may taxis and quite enough taxi companies in Cluj Napoca. Taxi stations are situated near major public transport stations and near all points of interest. All taxi companies have the same fees, 1.79 RON per km + 1.79 RON start fee. After 10 pm the fee is 1.99 RON per km.
Usually, a day ride (before 10 pm) from one of Cluj neighborhoods to city center costs around 10 RON. All prices are showed on the car door. So, please look at the prices when you get on the taxi, because there may be some taxis (we call them "sharks") which practice much higher fees. The "sharks" usually stand at the Railway Station or at the Airport.
You can always call for a taxi when you want to get somewhere in time. The main taxi companies are: Napoca (call 0264953), Diesel (call 0264946), Pritax (call 0264942), Nova (call 0264949).
Usually, a day ride (before 10 pm) from one of Cluj neighborhoods to city center costs around 10 RON. All prices are showed on the car door. So, please look at the prices when you get on the taxi, because there may be some taxis (we call them "sharks") which practice much higher fees. The "sharks" usually stand at the Railway Station or at the Airport.
You can always call for a taxi when you want to get somewhere in time. The main taxi companies are: Napoca (call 0264953), Diesel (call 0264946), Pritax (call 0264942), Nova (call 0264949).
Monday, May 31, 2010
Morning grace
Morning has broken in Marasti neighborhood, somewhere in the north-east of the city. The buildings were designed by North Korean architects and built between 1970 - 1989.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Parking in Cluj-Napoca
The city welcomes all visitors by car, but to make the most of your trip, there are some factors to keep in mind.
The public parking places offered by the authorities of the city are the best place to park for visitors to Cluj-Napoca. These are in the city centre and in the districts of the city where it is easy to transfer to public transport - you can be in the centre of Cluj-Napoca within half an hour.
Official Parking Locations
Always park your car at official parking spots where there is a parking meter.
For on-street parking, look for the blue light box with the white letter P. In these situations, you must typically pre-pay for parking from the nearest parking meter. In total, there are around 3160 parking places available in the city centre.
Parking costs in the city centre
30 minutes in zone I / 1 hour in zone II = 1 RON
1 hour in zone I / 2 hours in zone II = 2 RON
3 hours in zone I / 4 hours in zone II = 3.5 RON
1 day - 9.5 RON
Monthly pass for city centre
25 RON for residents, 50 RON for the others.
Also, there are 3 parking garages in the city centre.
Parking Town Hall - Lucian Blaga Square, 382 parking places
Fees:
0' - 30' = 1.50 RON
31' - 60' = 2.50 RON
1h - 1.30h = 3 RON
1.30h - 2h = 3.50 RON
2h - 2.30h = 4 RON
2.30h - 3h = 4.50 RON
3h - 3.30h = 5 RON
3.30h - 4h = 5.50 RON
4h - 4.30h = 6 RON
4.30h - 5h = 6.50 RON
5h - 5.30h = 7 RON
5.30h - 6h = 7.50 RON
6h - 7h = 8 RON
7h - 8h = 8.50 RON
8h - 24h = 12 RON
Monthly pass costs 210 RON.
Parking Marasti - Calea Dorobantilor 105, 250 parking places
Fee: 1 RON/hour
Monthly pass: 300 RON
Parking Multiplex Leu - Mihai Viteazu Market, 425 parking places
Fee: 3 RON/hour
Monthly pass: 400 RON
Sanctions
If you do not hold a valid parking permit, you must display your pre-paid parking receipt inside your front windscreen. If you do not, you run the risk of clamping or even being towed.
If the employees of community police cannot detect a valid parking ticket behind your windscreen, you will receive a fine on your car so as to ensure payment. Incorrectly parked cars that form an obstacle to other traffic are even towed.
Useful phone numbers:
0264-444571 (R.A.D.P. Cluj-Napoca)
112 (Police)
0264-598784 (Community Police)
Parking at the Airport
Parking for passengers or their attendants is possible in the airport's parking place.
Fees:
0' - 9' = 1 RON
10' - 30' = 4 RON
30' - 60' = 6 RON
60' - 2h = 11RON
2h - 5h = 22 RON
5h - 24h = 40 RON
24h - 2 days = 85 RON
2 days - 7 days = 150 RON
7 days - 8 days = 190 RON
8 days - 15 days = 300 RON
A parking ticket allows only one car to park.
The public parking places offered by the authorities of the city are the best place to park for visitors to Cluj-Napoca. These are in the city centre and in the districts of the city where it is easy to transfer to public transport - you can be in the centre of Cluj-Napoca within half an hour.
Official Parking Locations
Always park your car at official parking spots where there is a parking meter.
For on-street parking, look for the blue light box with the white letter P. In these situations, you must typically pre-pay for parking from the nearest parking meter. In total, there are around 3160 parking places available in the city centre.
Parking costs in the city centre
30 minutes in zone I / 1 hour in zone II = 1 RON
1 hour in zone I / 2 hours in zone II = 2 RON
3 hours in zone I / 4 hours in zone II = 3.5 RON
1 day - 9.5 RON
Monthly pass for city centre
25 RON for residents, 50 RON for the others.
Also, there are 3 parking garages in the city centre.
Parking Town Hall - Lucian Blaga Square, 382 parking places
Fees:
0' - 30' = 1.50 RON
31' - 60' = 2.50 RON
1h - 1.30h = 3 RON
1.30h - 2h = 3.50 RON
2h - 2.30h = 4 RON
2.30h - 3h = 4.50 RON
3h - 3.30h = 5 RON
3.30h - 4h = 5.50 RON
4h - 4.30h = 6 RON
4.30h - 5h = 6.50 RON
5h - 5.30h = 7 RON
5.30h - 6h = 7.50 RON
6h - 7h = 8 RON
7h - 8h = 8.50 RON
8h - 24h = 12 RON
Monthly pass costs 210 RON.
Parking Marasti - Calea Dorobantilor 105, 250 parking places
Fee: 1 RON/hour
Monthly pass: 300 RON
Parking Multiplex Leu - Mihai Viteazu Market, 425 parking places
Fee: 3 RON/hour
Monthly pass: 400 RON
Sanctions
If you do not hold a valid parking permit, you must display your pre-paid parking receipt inside your front windscreen. If you do not, you run the risk of clamping or even being towed.
If the employees of community police cannot detect a valid parking ticket behind your windscreen, you will receive a fine on your car so as to ensure payment. Incorrectly parked cars that form an obstacle to other traffic are even towed.
Useful phone numbers:
0264-444571 (R.A.D.P. Cluj-Napoca)
112 (Police)
0264-598784 (Community Police)
Parking at the Airport
Parking for passengers or their attendants is possible in the airport's parking place.
Fees:
0' - 9' = 1 RON
10' - 30' = 4 RON
30' - 60' = 6 RON
60' - 2h = 11RON
2h - 5h = 22 RON
5h - 24h = 40 RON
24h - 2 days = 85 RON
2 days - 7 days = 150 RON
7 days - 8 days = 190 RON
8 days - 15 days = 300 RON
A parking ticket allows only one car to park.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Pack your bags and come to Cluj
One might ask when is the best time to visit Cluj. My personal opinion is that the best time to visit Cluj is somewhere between late spring (May) to early autumn (September), because the weather is nice am warm, even hot sometimes and the events timetable is full. In winter it's damp and cold and there is not much to do, just drink a hot tea or a coffee in a nice place.
Here is a list of what to do during spring and summer in Cluj:
Here is a list of what to do during spring and summer in Cluj:
- go for a walk in the Botanical Gardens and Central Park
- go to the nearby forest for a trip
- visit city center sights
- eat ice cream near Casa Matei Corvin (very good)
- go to see movies at the Transilvania International Film Festival (TIFF)
- buy something nice from the crafts market near Casa Matei Corvin
- have a drink on the Promenade area
- drink a bear and eat mici at festivals (there are many during summer)
- go to an open air concert (Iron Maiden is coming to Pollus Center in Cluj on August 15th, you can buy tickets here)
- go to the Arts Museum
- visit the salt mine nearby
- and the list can go on and on...
About Cluj
Cluj-Napoca (Kolozsvár in Hungarian or Klausenburg in German) is situated in the historical region of Transylvania and it's the fourth largest city in Romania with a population of approximately 400,000 (larger when university students live here, from October to June).
In Roman times, Napoca was a provincial capital of Dacia. Later, in the middle ages the city of Cluj was established (you can still see the medieval wall, church and tower). Since modern times Cluj-Napoca is a well known Romanian university and cultural center.
In Roman times, Napoca was a provincial capital of Dacia. Later, in the middle ages the city of Cluj was established (you can still see the medieval wall, church and tower). Since modern times Cluj-Napoca is a well known Romanian university and cultural center.
Fabrica de Pensule (III) - Paintbrush Factory (III)
At the level of the cultural, artistic programming, Fabrica de Pensule is a multidisciplinary area, where events from all the fields of contemporary at and culture take place.
Generally speaking, the programme of Fabrica de Pensule includes: art exhibitions (painting, installations, etc ) – with the 5 galleries which have rooms in here; performances (for instance: within the Festival Temps d`Images), contemporary dance and drama performances (shows of the organizations of Fabrica de Pensule or invited ones), happenings, concerts, workshops (contemporary dance, contact improvisation, capoeira, percution, drama and muppets workshops with children, colour painting workshops with children), film projections, debates, forums, etc.
The space from Fabrica de Pensule are workshop rooms (artists who work in the field of visual arts, music, photography, setting, etc, galleries ( there are 5 galleries all in all, out of which are artist - run spaces and one of the galleries is focused on the launching of fashion design exhibitions – Zmart Gallery), Sala Studio ( spaces for workshops with audience, projections, debates, performances), Sala Mica (the drama room), showroom (belonging to Smaranda Almasan) and also offices for the organizations too.
Here are some of the galleries open inside Fabrica de Pensule and that we enjoy:
Galleries Sabot
Gallery Laika
Gallery Zmart
Nice studios:
ArtLink Association
Ground Floor
Some artists' workshops:
Cristina Gagiu & Attila Gräff
Ciprian Mureşan
Generally speaking, the programme of Fabrica de Pensule includes: art exhibitions (painting, installations, etc ) – with the 5 galleries which have rooms in here; performances (for instance: within the Festival Temps d`Images), contemporary dance and drama performances (shows of the organizations of Fabrica de Pensule or invited ones), happenings, concerts, workshops (contemporary dance, contact improvisation, capoeira, percution, drama and muppets workshops with children, colour painting workshops with children), film projections, debates, forums, etc.
The space from Fabrica de Pensule are workshop rooms (artists who work in the field of visual arts, music, photography, setting, etc, galleries ( there are 5 galleries all in all, out of which are artist - run spaces and one of the galleries is focused on the launching of fashion design exhibitions – Zmart Gallery), Sala Studio ( spaces for workshops with audience, projections, debates, performances), Sala Mica (the drama room), showroom (belonging to Smaranda Almasan) and also offices for the organizations too.
Here are some of the galleries open inside Fabrica de Pensule and that we enjoy:
Galleries Sabot
Gallery Laika
Gallery Zmart
Nice studios:
ArtLink Association
Ground Floor
Some artists' workshops:
Cristina Gagiu & Attila Gräff
Ciprian Mureşan
Fabrica de Pensule (II) - Paintbrush Factory (II)
The idea of such a space existed in the consciousness of those who proved interested in and receptive to the project; following the model of numerous similar spaces in other countries, each member of the functioning factory was waiting for the context in which such an initiative might be born in Romania, too. Perhaps, the idea of replacing it within an industrial space, which could bring a contemporary art from the city centre to a kind of semi-periphery, has already been a shared fantasy and it could be turned into practice through the enthusiasm and motivation of Fabrica de Pensule members.
Fabrica de Pensule members feel at the same time a sort of fascination coming from the audience towards industrial spaces, semi-periphery transformed into a centre of contemporary culture and art. The audience is more than trained for such a project and it seems to deeply show empathy for the philosophy of space and not to be afraid of a longer or less common route leading to Fabrica de Pensule rather than that it used to take towards the centre galleries.
The location of Fabrica de pensule, the apparition of the new space of contemporary art in the old workers` living space, from the periphery of the city and the presence of the artistic community, as a novelty in this area are only a few social aspects which influence the common program of Fabrica de Pensule. As an innovation for the most part of the members, the artistic production and cultural events include in this context events focused on a new audience, which has not interacted up to now with contemporary art and culture. This new orientation, without changing the general platform of the Fabrica de Pensule members is still strictly a new challenge, which the cultural operators from the Fabrica de Pensule look upon with interest.
Fabrica de Pensule, like the majority of the factories whose production was no longer successful came to be downgraded. If the inner side is completely furnished and renovated by its members, the other outer side has not been renovated, although there is an initiative in this aspect coming from the owner, who decided to take up isolation as well as renovation works.
To be continued…
Fabrica de Pensule members feel at the same time a sort of fascination coming from the audience towards industrial spaces, semi-periphery transformed into a centre of contemporary culture and art. The audience is more than trained for such a project and it seems to deeply show empathy for the philosophy of space and not to be afraid of a longer or less common route leading to Fabrica de Pensule rather than that it used to take towards the centre galleries.
The location of Fabrica de pensule, the apparition of the new space of contemporary art in the old workers` living space, from the periphery of the city and the presence of the artistic community, as a novelty in this area are only a few social aspects which influence the common program of Fabrica de Pensule. As an innovation for the most part of the members, the artistic production and cultural events include in this context events focused on a new audience, which has not interacted up to now with contemporary art and culture. This new orientation, without changing the general platform of the Fabrica de Pensule members is still strictly a new challenge, which the cultural operators from the Fabrica de Pensule look upon with interest.
Fabrica de Pensule, like the majority of the factories whose production was no longer successful came to be downgraded. If the inner side is completely furnished and renovated by its members, the other outer side has not been renovated, although there is an initiative in this aspect coming from the owner, who decided to take up isolation as well as renovation works.
To be continued…
By Andy
Friday, May 21, 2010
Fabrica de Pensule (I) - Paintbrush Factory (I)
Fabrica de Pensule is a space for creating contemporary art, which has been shaped as an independent cultural centre. The project was initiated by a group of cultural operators from Cluj-Napoca – artists, curators, cultural managers and producers – grouped and animated by the common idea that the cultural product creates a real impact upon the community in which they work.
The centre is situated in the former Painting Brush Factory, nr. 59-61, H. Barbusse Street and contains 29 contemporary art spaces: studios, galleries on a 2000 square meters area. The centre suggests to place on the local community map and also on the international artistic stage, an independent creative space and artistic audit.
Fabrica de Pensule has worked as a factory until the end of the 90s, when little by little the impact of the Chinese cheap market made its effect upon it. The production costs could no longer be justified and the factory entered the same cycle as most of Romania’s industrial spaces: after privatization, the decrease of the production followed and finally the factory has been closed. As compared to the other industrial spaces from Romania, Fabrica de Pensule entered a new level of metamorphosis -conversion- and at the present moment, the building is a working and organizing managing space, meant to organize events for more than 30 artists, gallery, active cultural organization in the field of the visual arts, contemporary dance and theatre.
The space belongs to the company which bought the space a few years ago and which has announced at the beginning of the last year that it wishes to rent or buy the building. At that moment, Sabot gallery had already decided to rent a space within the factory, spreading the news that the space is available. Several galleries, organizations and the artists were looking for available working spaces – the idea to contribute to the creation of a common space has come up quite quickly and spontaneously.
Little by little, other people joined the ideas, who, in spite of the fact that they have already had a studio, an office, a gallery, were receptive to creating common contemporary art spaces. The project expanded so quickly in a few months that the negotiations with the owner were meant for the entire available surface of the factory; at the moment, there is not an inch of unoccupied space left.
In time, the initial idea of finding a common workspace developed tremendously – the members of the Factory identified some common objectives, a general interest in working in a reactivated industrial space, as a community life centre, in contributing to the capitalization of an industrial patrimony area, in establishing coherence of an independent contemporary artistic and cultural segment. In order to turn into practice these common objectives and for a better organization, the members of Fabrica de Pensule made a new legal entity Fabrica de Pensule Federation, which represents its members within the foreign relationships. What is remarkable along its route is that the initiative of Fabrica de Pensule started and continues to be organic independent from top to bottom. All the activities and the investments within the artists` individual spaces, galleries or working spaces have been made by the individual effort of each member.
The factory is situated in the area between the industrial zone, Marasti workers` district and a semi-central zone Lupsa/Clujana district. Yet, it is semispherical, almost close to the city center, in a district typically belonging to the workers from Cluj-Napoca. Around Fabrica de Pensule area (Farmec, Clujana) the former Jewish district is outlined, with small tiny houses and gardens, as well as the blocks built during the industrialization age.
To be continued…
The centre is situated in the former Painting Brush Factory, nr. 59-61, H. Barbusse Street and contains 29 contemporary art spaces: studios, galleries on a 2000 square meters area. The centre suggests to place on the local community map and also on the international artistic stage, an independent creative space and artistic audit.
Fabrica de Pensule has worked as a factory until the end of the 90s, when little by little the impact of the Chinese cheap market made its effect upon it. The production costs could no longer be justified and the factory entered the same cycle as most of Romania’s industrial spaces: after privatization, the decrease of the production followed and finally the factory has been closed. As compared to the other industrial spaces from Romania, Fabrica de Pensule entered a new level of metamorphosis -conversion- and at the present moment, the building is a working and organizing managing space, meant to organize events for more than 30 artists, gallery, active cultural organization in the field of the visual arts, contemporary dance and theatre.
The space belongs to the company which bought the space a few years ago and which has announced at the beginning of the last year that it wishes to rent or buy the building. At that moment, Sabot gallery had already decided to rent a space within the factory, spreading the news that the space is available. Several galleries, organizations and the artists were looking for available working spaces – the idea to contribute to the creation of a common space has come up quite quickly and spontaneously.
Little by little, other people joined the ideas, who, in spite of the fact that they have already had a studio, an office, a gallery, were receptive to creating common contemporary art spaces. The project expanded so quickly in a few months that the negotiations with the owner were meant for the entire available surface of the factory; at the moment, there is not an inch of unoccupied space left.
In time, the initial idea of finding a common workspace developed tremendously – the members of the Factory identified some common objectives, a general interest in working in a reactivated industrial space, as a community life centre, in contributing to the capitalization of an industrial patrimony area, in establishing coherence of an independent contemporary artistic and cultural segment. In order to turn into practice these common objectives and for a better organization, the members of Fabrica de Pensule made a new legal entity Fabrica de Pensule Federation, which represents its members within the foreign relationships. What is remarkable along its route is that the initiative of Fabrica de Pensule started and continues to be organic independent from top to bottom. All the activities and the investments within the artists` individual spaces, galleries or working spaces have been made by the individual effort of each member.
The factory is situated in the area between the industrial zone, Marasti workers` district and a semi-central zone Lupsa/Clujana district. Yet, it is semispherical, almost close to the city center, in a district typically belonging to the workers from Cluj-Napoca. Around Fabrica de Pensule area (Farmec, Clujana) the former Jewish district is outlined, with small tiny houses and gardens, as well as the blocks built during the industrialization age.
To be continued…
By Andy
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Arrival and departure
Cluj-Napoca can be reached in different ways. Flying, by train or your own transportation.
Arrival by plane
Cluj-Napoca International Airport is situated around 10 km from the city centre. Seven airlines fly to and from Cluj-Napoca Airport and have offices at the airport or in the city. You can reach the city from the airport in just half an hour by bus, taxi or hotel shuttle.
Bus
The number 8 bus from the local transport company takes only 20-30 minutes from the airport to the city centre (Piata Mihai Viteazul). There are 6 buses each hour. On weekdays the buses run from 5:30 to 22:30 and on weekends and holidays from 5:30 to 22:00. Unfortunately there is no ticket office located in the airport nor in the bus station from the airport. So ... either you book your bus ticket via Internet (joking:-D, there is no such thing) either try to sell a good joke to the bus driver who usually do not speak any foreign language. So, it will be a trilling experience!
A round-trip bus ticket costs 3.5 RON (~ 85 cents). You cannot pay with credit cards.
Taxi
The taxi rank is located at the airport’s exit. Depending on traffic, a taxi can take you to the city centre in 15 minutes or half an hour. One ride will cost you approximately 10 EUR. It is strongly advised not to take rides from drivers soliciting within the airport. These are not officially approved taxi drivers. The taxi drivers do not accept EUR nor credit cards.
Hotel shuttles
A hotel shuttle service enables you to travel only to two hotels in Cluj-Napoca.
Arrival by train
If arriving in Cluj-Napoca by train, it's likely and desirable that your journey will terminate at Cluj-Napoca Main Station. From there it is simple to complete your journey on foot, with public transport or taxi.
Cluj-Napoca Main Station is 20 minutes walking distance from the city centre.
Arrival by car
When Cluj-Napoca's streets were built, they were obviously not created with the cars of residents, tourists and commuters in mind:-D In the popular central part, it's also common to experience crowds on the streets, making driving conditions difficult for those new to the city.
In order to maintain the livability and accessibility in Cluj-Napoca, the streets within the city centre are a paid parking area. The parking spaces in the city centre are the most expensive, since these spaces are scarce.
Arrival by plane
Cluj-Napoca International Airport is situated around 10 km from the city centre. Seven airlines fly to and from Cluj-Napoca Airport and have offices at the airport or in the city. You can reach the city from the airport in just half an hour by bus, taxi or hotel shuttle.
Bus
The number 8 bus from the local transport company takes only 20-30 minutes from the airport to the city centre (Piata Mihai Viteazul). There are 6 buses each hour. On weekdays the buses run from 5:30 to 22:30 and on weekends and holidays from 5:30 to 22:00. Unfortunately there is no ticket office located in the airport nor in the bus station from the airport. So ... either you book your bus ticket via Internet (joking:-D, there is no such thing) either try to sell a good joke to the bus driver who usually do not speak any foreign language. So, it will be a trilling experience!
A round-trip bus ticket costs 3.5 RON (~ 85 cents). You cannot pay with credit cards.
Taxi
The taxi rank is located at the airport’s exit. Depending on traffic, a taxi can take you to the city centre in 15 minutes or half an hour. One ride will cost you approximately 10 EUR. It is strongly advised not to take rides from drivers soliciting within the airport. These are not officially approved taxi drivers. The taxi drivers do not accept EUR nor credit cards.
Hotel shuttles
A hotel shuttle service enables you to travel only to two hotels in Cluj-Napoca.
Arrival by train
If arriving in Cluj-Napoca by train, it's likely and desirable that your journey will terminate at Cluj-Napoca Main Station. From there it is simple to complete your journey on foot, with public transport or taxi.
Cluj-Napoca Main Station is 20 minutes walking distance from the city centre.
Arrival by car
When Cluj-Napoca's streets were built, they were obviously not created with the cars of residents, tourists and commuters in mind:-D In the popular central part, it's also common to experience crowds on the streets, making driving conditions difficult for those new to the city.
In order to maintain the livability and accessibility in Cluj-Napoca, the streets within the city centre are a paid parking area. The parking spaces in the city centre are the most expensive, since these spaces are scarce.
It is typically recommended to make use of the parking garages inside of the central area.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Eveybody has to be from somewhere
I was born, grew up and I'm living in Cluj-Napoca. I've spent most of my life in this city. After traveling abroad for some years ... coming back to Cluj-Napoca - I have begun to feel more clearly what I have always loved about this place.
People I meet often ask me: "What is Cluj-Napoca really like? Is it beautiful?" or "What can I see and do there?" or "If I go - where can stay?". After a while I realized that all my "inside knowledge" might be valuable information not only for my friends who like to travel, but also to other people ... like you.
So I decided to participate to this "project" - Traveller's guide to Cluj.
Cluj-Napoca for me means..
• grandparents taking care of me
• parents taking me to the puppets show
• blissful kids playing in the backyard
• laughs with my friends
• voices echoing in my mind like a forgotten dream
• movie nights
• a visit to the Art Museum
• a rock concert in the old Music Pub (now Irish Pub)
• a brownie at Quo Vadis
• a walk along the water (Somes River)
• a wonderful freshly baked pastry
• strolling in the Central Park or Botanical Garden
• a cafe latte stop on the way, of course
• a trip to the lovely Faget forest
• taking a day trip to one of the lakes in the area
• having a sandwich and a tasty beer ... overlooking the city skyline from Cetatuie ... you‘ll love it.
People I meet often ask me: "What is Cluj-Napoca really like? Is it beautiful?" or "What can I see and do there?" or "If I go - where can stay?". After a while I realized that all my "inside knowledge" might be valuable information not only for my friends who like to travel, but also to other people ... like you.
So I decided to participate to this "project" - Traveller's guide to Cluj.
Cluj-Napoca for me means..
• grandparents taking care of me
• parents taking me to the puppets show
• blissful kids playing in the backyard
• laughs with my friends
• voices echoing in my mind like a forgotten dream
• movie nights
• a visit to the Art Museum
• a rock concert in the old Music Pub (now Irish Pub)
• a brownie at Quo Vadis
• a walk along the water (Somes River)
• a wonderful freshly baked pastry
• strolling in the Central Park or Botanical Garden
• a cafe latte stop on the way, of course
• a trip to the lovely Faget forest
• taking a day trip to one of the lakes in the area
• having a sandwich and a tasty beer ... overlooking the city skyline from Cetatuie ... you‘ll love it.
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