Ancient Roman fortifications and historical monuments adorn this Transylvanian city. Once capital of the Duchy, it houses impressive cathedrals and a Turkish fortress.
Alba Iulia, a city in central Romania, has a rich history dating back to Roman times. You can explore the star-shaped Vauban Citadel, visit the National Museum of Unification, or browse rare books at the Batthyaneum Library. As the site of Transylvania's unification with Romania in 1918, Alba Iulia plays a significant role in Romanian history and culture.
Exploring the Vauban Citadel
The Vauban Citadel, constructed between 1716 and 1735, is Alba Iulia's most prominent landmark. This star-shaped fortress, designed by Swiss architects Giovanni Morandi Visconti and Nicolaus Doxat de Demoret, encompasses seven bastions. Walk along the fortress walls for wide views of the city and surrounding landscape. Inside the citadel, you'll find several important buildings, including the Union Hall, the Princely Palace, and both Orthodox and Catholic cathedrals.
Discovering Religious Landmarks
Visit the Orthodox Cathedral of the Reunification, built between 1921 and 1923, which commemorates the unification of Transylvania with Romania. Inside, you'll see frescoes painted in a traditional style by Constantin, depicting various religious scenes. For a contrast in architectural styles, explore the 13th-century Roman Catholic Cathedral with its Romanesque design.
Exploring Museums and Libraries
At the National Museum of Unification, housed in the "Babylon" Building, you can view over 130,000 artworks arranged chronologically. This museum presents artifacts and documents related to Alba Iulia's role in Romanian history. The Batthyaneum Library, located in a former Baroque church, holds a remarkable collection of manuscripts, incunabula, and rare books, including the 8th-century Codex Aureus.
Uncovering Roman History
Alba Iulia sits near the site of the ancient Roman settlement of Apulum. Visit the Regional Museum to see a collection of Roman artifacts discovered in the area. You can also explore the remains of Apulum, located about 6 miles from the city center, to see the ruins of what was once an important city in Roman Dacia.
Getting to Alba Iulia
The nearest airports to Alba Iulia are in Sibiu (44 miles southeast) and Cluj-Napoca (62 miles north). From these cities, you can reach Alba Iulia by train or bus. The Alba Iulia train station is about a mile southeast of the citadel. Regular bus services connect Alba Iulia to major Romanian cities like Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and Timisoara.
Exploring the Surrounding Region
From Alba Iulia, you can easily visit other parts of Transylvania. Consider taking day trips to nearby attractions such as the Corvin Castle (54 miles southwest), the Turda Salt Mine (42 miles north), or the Apuseni Nature Park (60 miles northwest). If you're interested in wine, you might enjoy visiting the Jidvei Winery, located 35 miles northeast of the city.
