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ARAD

Little Vienna

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Arad - General Information

Location: Western Romania

County: Arad

Size: 15.5 sq. miles (39.8 sq. kilometers)

Elevation: 352 ft. (110 meters)

Population: 163,000

First documented: 1028 AD

City Highlights Straddling the Mures River and occupying parts of both Crisana province and

Banat, Arad traces its history back to the 11th century. Arad developed as a

major trading post during the Turkish occupation, between 1551 and 1699.

After 1699, the city was ruled by the Habsburg Monarchy and in 1834 Arad

was declared a „free royal town‟ by Emperor Francis I of Austria.

On April 10, 1913 the first electrical railway in Eastern Europe was lunched on

the Arad – Podgoria route.

Today, Arad is an important industrial center and transportation hub, as well

as home to two universities, a Romanian Orthodox theological seminary, a

training school for teachers, and a music conservatory. Churches and

cathedrals in the city span four centuries, several denominations, and

architectural styles ranging from baroque to neoclassic.

City Landmarks

The Water Tower In the second half of the 19th century, the city

administration decided to erect a very

important building for the life of the city, which

is known as the “Water Tower”.

The tower is 35 meters tall and was

inaugurated in 1896. In terms of architectural

style, it complements the homogenous look of

Arad architecture, which is based on an

eclectic style called “secession”. The tower, a

solid stone-and-brick building, is impressively

massive and tall. It is characterized by the

decoration of balconies and windows.

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The tower was built to supply water to the city, then in full development, to

signal fire outbreaks and to ensure the rapid intervention of firefighters.

Cenad Palace Located at Bd. Revolutiei, Nr. 73, the Palace is one

of the most stately buildings of the city. It was built

in the late nineteenth century by the Arad- Cenad

Railway Company, after the plans of architect

Jivaszek.

The building is part of the City Hall Square complex

and it is representative of eclectic architecture, richly decorated in classic and Renaissance

style. It stands out from other buildings by the roof equipped with interesting towers, whose

ornamentation reflects the specific architecture of Arad.

The palace displays decorative elements that betray its functionality, which is particularly

apparent in the depiction of Mercury, god of commerce, on the frontispiece of the building.

After the 1989 Revolution, most of the Cenad Palace ground floor was given to political

political parties, parliamentarians and associations as offices.

The Administrative Palace

The Administrative Palace currently houses the City Hall. It was built be-

tween 1872 and 1874, after a project by architect Pékár Ferenc. The

style of the building combines Flemish Neo-Renaissance with the style of

late medieval city halls.

The building is U-shaped and has a 54-meter tower, and the clock in the

tower, brought from Switzerland in 1878, has a mechanism that plays a

patriotic song on the hour. Hall windows have stained glass depicting

allegorical figures of the seasons. The square in front of the building was

called the Revolution Square, in memory of events that took place in

December 1989.

In the center of the square, a monument and a crucifix were erected,

in memory of heroes fallen during the Revolution.

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The Cultural Palace

The palace was built

between 1911 and 1913,

according to plans by

architect Lajos Szantay

from Arad. It features a

mix of styles: neoclassical

(front), Corinthian

(columns supporting the

front gable), Italian

Renaissance style

(wings), Gothic-inspired

style (Corvin Castle-like

items in the park side of

the building). Its superb

concert hall

accommodated, over time, great musical figures like Richard Strauss, Bela

Bartok, George Enescu, Traian Grozăvescu etc.

The building displays a variety of styles,

according to the era in which it was built. The main facade is inspired by

Greek temples. Noteworthy items include the monumental stairs, columns

adorned with capitals, and the triangular gable decorated with a bas-relief

dedicated to the Muses (worked by sculptor Geza Rubleczky). Above the

building rises a massive tower with a square base.

To the right and left of the main façade are two wings fitted with decorative

staircases, which lead to side entrances; each wing has one small tower with

a polygonal base. The two wings are dominated by elements of the

Renaissance, especially visible in the form and decoration of ground-floor

windows.

In the fourth side of the building, which overlooks the park, the most striking

elements are inspired by the Corvin Castle.

Some interior elements worth mentioning are the floral stained glass in the

concert hall and lobby of honor, the metopes‟ decoration, floral and

geometric ironwork, chandeliers and wall lamps.

The building currently houses the County Museum and the State Philharmonic.

The museum comprises sections of archeology: the Bronze, Dacian, migration

and premedieval ages; history: testimonies about the 1848 Revolution in

Transylvania, the struggle for Union (1918); ethnography; natural sciences,

exhibits on the Arad area: mineralogy, flora and fauna; classical and

contemporary Romanian art, European paintings from the 17th – 20th

centuries; decorative art; theater history: programs, posters, photos, music

scores.

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The mixed museum, founded in 1893, was originally a collection of relics of the

1848 Revolution and an archeology collection. From 1913 the museum has

been hosted by the current building. The last reorganization took place in

1979. Since 1992 it has also included a science section.

Avram Iancu Square

Avram Iancu Square was the commercial and political center of Arad at the

beginning of the nineteenth century, while also being the seat of the old city hall,

built in 1704 (number 16). It was the site of the People‟s Assembly during the 1848

Revolution and of the clash with local Austrian troops (February 1849), which

surrendered to the Romanian revolutionaries.

On the Tribunul Axente street there are houses built in 18th century Baroque style,

which belonged to craftsmen organized in guilds.

These buildings had two floors, with a workshop at ground floor and a private

residence upstairs. Traian Bridge

The building of Traian Bridge was proposed by the city administration in early

twentieth century. In 1908, a project of the Austrian Railway Company was

accepted. The bridge was built according to a plan by engineer Robert Toth (1857-

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1913) of Reşiţa, the iron structure was manufactured in Resiţa plants, and the

ornamentation has many elements of the “secession” style. At the end of the Second

World War, the bridge was dynamited, but the structure was not severely damaged,

and the bridge was rebuilt a few months after the war. As an industrial monument, it

is currently used under weight restrictions.

The Locker House It was built in 1815 and renovated in 1851, undergoing some other changes in 1963,

business premises on the ground floor being converted into dwelling places.

The “iron log” of Arad guilds was located in a corner of the building. This was a

segment from a tree trunk, wrapped in sheets and fastened with nails. Journeymen

coming from European craft centers to master the secrets of their profession in Arad

drove nails of different shapes into the

sheet, as a sign of their passage. The

log was placed in a recess in the

above-mentioned corner of the

building, protected by a curved metal

bar, locked with a padlock, the work

of a locksmith from Arad. In 1994, the

log was stolen, but recovered by the

police and handed to the

conservation and restoration

Laboratory of Arad Museum Complex,

where it was completely restored.

The Roman Catholic Cathedral

The building, a distinguished

architectural monument, was

erected in the years 1902-1904, in

Renaissance style, after the plans

of architect Emil Tabakovics. The

main entrance to the church is

vaulted, dominated on both

sides by two massive columns,

framing, in their upper side, the

deepened semicircular

frontispiece.

The frontispiece shelters the

“Pietà” sculpture, which is a

copy of Michelangelo‟s work

from St. Peter‟s Basilica in Rome.

Above the sculpture is a frieze

with three other statues and a

quote from Luke the Evangelist:

“My house shall be a house of prayer.”

The Cathedral tower, with a semicircular dome, is over 56 meters tall and impresses

through its monumentality and sumptuousness. The visitor is impressed by the simple

and double columns supporting the semicircular arches on the inside, up to near the

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altar. The basilica‟s lighting is also relevant to visitors and churchgoers. Light seeps

inside through 10 stunningly beautiful stained-glass windows, with a specific theme

for Western Rite Christianity. He who walks inside the monument is also impressed by

the painting of the church, done by Löhr Ferenc and Bogdanffy Erik Pauli in the same

Western manner.

At the entrance, on the right, an inscription is embedded on the narthex wall, taken

from the old Convent of Minorities in Arad. The inscription recalls the presence of

Emperor Joseph II in Arad. Here is the beautiful statue of the “Trinity”, which in the

beginning of the century, was placed in front of the theater.

The church is equipped with an organ that has a particular resonance. Owing to the

exceptional sound of the organ, religious themed concerts are occasionally held in

the church, in collaboration with the Arad Philharmonic, which attract many listeners.

The Cathedral bells were cast in the Hönig foundry workshops of Arad, famous for

bronze casting works in Central Europe.

Holy Trinity

Orthodox Cathedral

The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Arad is an Orthodox cathedral, seat of the Archdiocese

of Arad. The cornerstone of the cathedral was laid in 1991 by Timotei Seviciu, Bishop

of Arad. The cathedral was consecrated by Patriarch Daniel on December 6, 2008,

and on November 28, 2009 it became the archbishop‟s cathedral.

The old cathedral of the Arad Diocese is the Nativity of St. John the Baptist Ca-

thedral, a historical and architectural monument.

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Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Orthodox Cathedral The cathedral is a monument of baroque architecture

in the city of Arad. It was built between 1862-1865 under

the direction of architect Anton Ziegler. The two towers

of the facade were elevated in 1904. The two towers

are equipped with a clock on each side.

The church served as the cathedral of the Arad

Diocese, from its inauguration and until 2009, when the

Holy Trinity Cathedral, built since 1991, acquired this

function.

The Red

Church The church was built in 1906, in Neo-Gothic style,

according to the plans of architect Szantay László. In

Arad it is known as the Red Church, because of the

decorative red bricks that cover its walls.

Some of its remarkable features include the rich

portal, the sharp tower, the rectangular altar and the

electro-pneumatic organ, made in Timisoara. The

main tower of the church rises to a height of 46 m.

The Railway Station

The current building of the station is actually the third, built in 1910, after the plans of

the Arad architect Ludovic Szantay, The first train passed through Arad on Oktober

25, 1858, the year the Lőkösháza-Curtici-Arad opened.

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The Statue of Liberty and the Park

of Reconciliation

The Statue of Liberty is a monument erected in 1890 in Arad, for the festivities

commemorating the execution of the 13 antihabsburgic military commanders known

as “The Arad Thirteen”. The monument was taken down in 1925, based on Decree

No. 1512/1925 of the I.C. Brătianu government, because the thirteen generals

supposedly fought against Romanians. The monument was kept in a military unit, in

Arad fortress.

On September 20, 1999 the Radu Vasile government adopted a decree by which

the administration of the monument passed to the Franciscan Order.

Over time, the repositioning of the monument within the city caused much

controversy. In their March 4, 2004 meeting, the Adrian Năstase government, de-

spite the bitter protests of some members of Parliament, including Senator Sergiu

NIcolaescu, approved the positioning of the Statue of Liberty in a Park of Hungarian-

Romanian Reconciliation, in the Firefighter‟s Park in Arad.

On April 25, 2004 a new unveiling of the monument took place, in the presence of

Romanian and Hungarian officials and the Head of the European Commission Head

Delegation to Romania.

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Nearby Attractions

Minis Maderat Vineyard (Podgoria Minis) Where: 15 miles east of Arad

www.wineprincess.ro/?lng=en

The vineyards of Arad stretch on the hills bordering the western part of the

Zarand Mountains, between Lipova and Pancota. Star of the region is the

vineyard of Minis. In 1862, at a wine contest in London, Rosu de Minis was

awarded the biggest prize. More than a century before, the wines of Minis

were exported to England, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland

and even America.

The red, native variety Cadarca, displaying a ruby-red color with a stinging

taste of fresh clove, was the wine of the imperial court of Vienna during the

reign of Emperor Franz Josef, in the 18th century. Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet

Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Cadarca are produced employing classical

winemaking technologies, while the white wines like Italian Riesling, Traminer,

Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc, are obtained by using cooling zymurgy,

resulting in fruity white wines of great finesse.

Lipova Where: 17 miles east of Arad

Access: car, train (Radna station)

The charming old town of Lipova

served during the 17th century as a

meeting point for merchants from

Moldova, Muntenia, Transylvania and

neighboring European countries,

coming here to trade their goods at

the local bazaar. The natural mineral

waters are known since the 16th

century and in 1892 a treatment resort (Lipova Bath) was established here.

The springs with mineral water are located 1.6 miles away from the centre of

the city. The mineral waters are ferruginous, rich in bicarbonate, calcium,

sodium and magnesium (bottled at Lipova) and they are recommended in

the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, in the diseases of the digestive

tract, or associated affections.

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Soimos Fortres

(Cetatea Soimos)

Where: 20 miles east of Arad

www.cetatesoimos.ro

East of Lipova, you can visit the open

stone ruins of Soimos Fortress, once guard

keeper of the trading route between

Transylvania and Crisana. Dating from

the 13th century, the fortress was later abandoned around the year 1790.

Vestiges of the Renaissance stonework can still be admired today.

Ghioroc Lake (Lacul Gioroc)

Where: 14 miles from Arad

Ghioroc Lake (Lacul Ghioroc in

Romanian) is a man-made lake

located in Ghioroc, Arad County,

Romania. The lake has a surface

area of approximately 1.050 square

kilometers (0.405 sq mi), and is a

popular recreational and fishing

destination . Windsurfing and diving

are performed there, due to the

high winds and size/depth of the

lake. The lake has several land

patches away from the coastline,

which are used as holidays resorts

or for clubbing. There are a few

shops and restaurants on its

southern shore. There is also a

parking facility. Lake Ghioroc can

also be used for practicing nautical

sports.

Moneasa (Hungarian:

Menyháza) is a

commune in Arad

County, Romania, is

situated at the foot of

Codru-Moma

Mountains (situated at

102 km from Arad). The

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commune's primary touristic place is the Moneasa health resort. It is working

all year round and it is recommended for treatment of different diseases,

mainly rheumatic ones, as well as digestive and gynaecological troubles.

The cavern named "Valea Morii", a natural reservation of national interest,

along with the one called "Liliecilor", the water fall "Boroaia", the "Momuța"

peak and the ruins of the blast furnace are the top sights of the commune.

Zarand Land (Tara Zarandului)

Where: 40-60 miles east of Arad

An interesting ethnographic area,

Zarand Land is home to the traditional

villages of Barsa, Barzava, Birchis and

Buteni. The embroideries in red and

black, the sheepskin coats made by the

furriers from Buteni, the sleeveless jackets

made in Bata, the pottery from Birchis

are all well know. Traditional peasant‟s

households have been remarkably

preserved in the villages located in the mountainous zones.

Road Trips

Oradea

Where: 76 miles north of Arad

www.RomaniaTourism.com/Oradea.html

Timisoara

Where: 33 miles south of Arad

www.RomaniaTourism.com/Timisoara.html

Corvinilor Castle in Hunedoara

Where: 113 miles east of Arad

www.RomaniaTourism.com/Castles-Fortresses.html#Corvinesti

Tourist Info

Arad Tourist Information Center

(Centrul de Informare Turistica)

Address: Blvd. Revolutiei 84-86

Tel / Fax: 0257 270.277

E-mail: turism@primariaarad.ro

Web: www.primariaarad.ro

The Tourist Information Center provides maps, brochures and

information on accommodations, restaurants and transportation.

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See also:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g298472-Activities-

Arad_Arad_County_Western_Romania_Transylvania.html

http://www.aradcityguide.ro/en/

Maps

- Arad City Map (Harta Orasului Arad)

- Romania Physical Map (Romania - Harta Fizica)

- Romania Detailed Road Map (Romania - Harta Detaliata)

- Romania Road Map (Romania - Harta Drumurilor, Sosele)

- Romania Rail Map (Romania - Harta Cailor Ferate)

CITY ESSENTIALS

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Money

Romania‟s official currency is LEU pl. LEI; 1 LEU has 100 BANI. Exchange offices

all around the city offer good exchange rates. You can also change

money at any bank. It is illegal to change

money on the street. You can use your

foreign debit card at any ATM and

you will be issued the equivalent in Lei

of the amount you wish to withdraw in US

dollars or Euro. Romanian ATMs only

accept Visa, MasterCard and Maestro.

Depending on your needs, there are

several possibilities for money transfer:

postal money order (“mandat poştal”),

bank transfer or special transfer (such as

Western Union.

See also: http://www.cursbnr.ro/convertor-valutar

Prices of Basic Commodities

Here are some rough examples of the prices for every-day commodities:

Accommodation:

In a youth hostel: 60-80 Lei/night–about 14-18 EUR/ night

In a three-star hotel: 175-200 Lei –about 40-45 EUR/ night

Food:

One medium pizza in an average restaurant: 20 Lei –about 5 EUR

One loaf of sliced bread: about 3 Lei – about 0.7 EUR

One liter of milk: 4 Lei – about 0.9 EUR

One local beer (0.5 liters) at the grocery store: 2.5 Lei –about 0.6 EUR

Transportation:

One bus/ trolley/ tram 2-way ticket: 4 Lei –about 0.9 EUR

Taxi fare from railway station to city centre: about 7 Lei – about 1. 6 EUR

Accommodations

For a list of available accommodations in Arad please click here or check our

Accommodations Guide.

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Food and Eating Out

The cost of food per month could range somewhere between 50

and 150 EUR. The cheapest meals are of course, those you cook yourself.

Markets in Arad are among the most alive places in the world.Try and visit it

one of them and you will wish to return again and again. “Piaţa Mihai

Viteazul” market is the largest vegetable and fresh produce market and you

can also get fresh meat, cheese, eggs and honey there. There are smaller

outdoor markets in all neighbourhoods.

If you are accustomed to make supplies for a longer period of time, you

could pay a visit once a week to a big supermarket. There are

supermarkets in Arad such as Billa, Selgros, Kaufland, Cora, Lidl.

Some of the typical Romanian dishes you can try are: tripe soup

(ciorbă de burtă), corn porridge (mămăliga) and stuffed cabage rolls

(sarmale).

Also, there are plenty

of “ethnic”

restaurants: Mexican,

Chinese, Italian,

American, Hungarian,

Japanese, Turkish,

etc. Arad has many

fast-food pizza-

places, which are

very popular among

students. The average

price of a pizza is

about 20 Lei ~5 EUR.

For up-to-date

information about

trendy bars, clubs,

restaurants, parties and things-to-do, please visit www.sapteseri.ro,

www.zilesinopti.ro, http://party-arad.ghidularadean.ro/

Beverages

Tap water in Arad is perfectly safe for consumption.

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You can buy different sorts of juices and sodas in shops. The price of 2

liters of Cola is around 0.6 EUR; if you buy a local brand it might be even

cheaper. Coffee is priced around 5 Lei ~1,1 EUR but prices are varying

depending on the place. Alcoholic beverages are cheaper in shops than

in pubs and bars. In Romania there are some mainstream local beer

brands that are good, but you can also find many international brands

View a selection of the best restaurants in town.

Transportation

In Romania, the most frequently used mean of transportation is the

train. There are also buses between cities.

By Bus: There are several companies servicing various routes. Buses are especially

popular among students since they are somewhat cheaper and run more

frequently than trains.

Arad Bus Stations /Autogari Arad

http://www.autogari.ro/localitate.php?loc=Arad

Daily domestic bus service from/to:

Bacau, Baia Mare, Brasov, Bucuresti, Cluj Napoca, Sebes, Fagaras, Oradea,

Targu Jiu, Timisoara

By Train There are four categories of trains. Slow-trains (“personal”) are the cheapest

but the slowest and the least comfortable. They stop at every station,

even the smallest, and are used mainly by commuters.

Fast trains (“accelerat” and “rapid”) are more comfortable and stop

only at the most important stations.

Inter-City trains are also available between major cities; they are fast,

comfortable and inexpensive.

Arad Train Station (Gara Arad)

Address: Piata Garii 8-9

Tel: 0257 231.777

The train station is located a few miles north of the centre. Tram # 1,2 or 3 will

take you to the downtown area.

There are daily trains connecting Arad with: Budapest, Prague, Warsaw, Berlin,

Munich, Vienna, Venezia, Thesalonoky, Brasov, Cluj Napoca, Sibiu, Bucharest,

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Oradea, Timisoara, Constanta, Galati, Iasi, Baia Mare, Suceava, Craiova and

Ploiesti.

CFR's advance booking office (Agentia CFR Arad)

Address: Str. Metianu 16

Tel: 0257 280.977

Open: Mon. - Fri. 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; closed Sat. & Sun.

You can get train schedule information and make reservations up to 24 hours

in advance at this office. Tickets for same-day travel can only be purchased

at the station.

By car The fastest route from Bucharest to Arad is via A1 / E81 / E68:

Bucuresti – Pitesti – Ramnicu Valcea – Sibiu – Alba Iulia – Deva - Arad

The fastest route from Budapest to Arad is on E75 - E68:

Budapest - Szeged - Nadlac - Arad

By Plane If you wish to take the plane, for national or international, regular or

charter flights, Arad has an international airport.

For booking tickets to any destination from Arad, or for companies not

operating on this airport, you can contact one of the numerous travel

agencies in town.

Arad Airport

Address: Calea Aeroportului 4

Telephone: 0257 254.203

Web: www.aeroportularad.ro

Arad International Airport is located 2.6 mi from downtown Arad.

Airlines with service to Arad:

BlueAir - www.Blueair-web.com

Nearby airports located in:

Oradea (OMR) - 76 miles away

Timisoara (TSR) - 33 miles away - http://aerotim.ro/index.php?lang=en

Public Transportation Arad has a reliable public transportation network, consisting of a long

tramline, several trolley-lines and bus-lines, operating from 5 a.m. to 11

p.m. The price of a ticket (bilet) is 4 Lei (0,9 EUR) -valid for two trips. Tickets

are available at special kiosks or can be bought per mobile phone

message, but never at the driver. Always validate your ticket immediately

after getting on the bus/tram. Controls are frequent and the fine is high!

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Several bus and trolleybus routes connect Arad‟s main areas and tourist

attractions.

Taxi: Taxis you take in town are all equipped with a meter. One

kilometer by taxi costs 2.29 Lei (around 0.52 EUR) before 9 p.m., and 2.49Lei

(around 0.56 EUR) after 9 p.m. All major taxi companies have the same fare.

Big companies have the name of the company and the phone number

displayed on the top of the car and on the sides. The main taxi companies in

Arad are: Europa, Alfa, Verbita and Arad.

Driving your own car: gas is about the same price as in other European

countries. Just like in other big cities, traffic is insane at rush hours and finding a

parking place can be a problem.

Taxi Companies

Favorit - 0257 280.000

Taxi Alfa - 0357 422.888

Taxi Arad - 0257 244.244

Taxi Europa - 0257 275.555

Taxi Verbita -

Car Rental

EuroCars Romania

Address: Calea Bodrogului km 4

(Arad Airport)

Tel: 0727 373.799

Email: office@eurocars.ro

Web: www.eurocars.ro

Sixt

Address: Calea Aeroportului 4

(Arad International Airport)

Tel: 021 94.00 (this is valid short

phone #)

Email: reservation@sixt.ro

Web: www.Sixt.ro

Telephones and communication

Telephones can be landlines or mobile. Landline numbers have 6 digits,

except for those in Bucharest, which have 7 digits. The main mobile services

operators are: Orange, Vodafone, Zapp, and Cosmorom. Mobile phone

numbers all have 10 digits.

Calling from abroad: When trying to call from abroad in Romania you

have to dial first 004 (Romania‟s country code), then the 4-digit area/

network code (e.g. 0264 or 0364 for Cluj county), then the phone number.

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When calling from the USA, you have to dial 011-4, then the area/

network code, then the phone number.

Phone cards are the most inexpensive method to call at the moment.

You dial an access number (which may or may not be free of charge), your

PIN, then the number you wish to call.

There are few internet cafés left in Arad, though most of them offer 24 - hours

service. However there are many wifi spots. The Internet can also be used

at your faculty. The student dorms have Internet connections, but you

need your own PC.

In Arad there are many post offices. The main post office is P.O. 1

located on 4 33, Caius Iacob Street, Phone: 0040 257 232 222. You can

use the regular postal shipping service, available at any post office.

Post offices display a postal horn symbol and the word Posta.

Main Post Office

Address: Str. Caius Iacob 4

Tel: 0257 232.222

Web: www.posta-romana.ro

The new Romanian zip codes (postal codes) have 6 digits.

Performing Arts

Symphonic Music

State Philharmonic Orchestra of Arad

(Filarmonica de Stat Arad)

Address: Piata George Enescu 1

Tel. 0257 281.554

Web: www.filarmonicaarad.ro

Theatre Ioan Slavici Classical Theatre

(Teatrul Clasic Ioan Slavici)

Address: Revolution Blv. 103

Tel. 0257

Web: