ALBA-IULIA


ALBA-IULIA is a beautiful modern city as well as an important cultural and historical center. The city was a thriving ancient Thracian settlement, and later after being conquered by Romans, it became an important cultural and political center in the Roman Empire. A great fortress is situated in the center of the city, built in the 18th century, it houses numerous monuments. Located inside the fortress the St. Michael catholic cathedral was built in the 13th century for the Transylvanian archbishop in the Hungarian Empire. The cathedral houses inside the tombs of the king of Transylvania Iancu Corvin de Hunedoara (Ioannus Corvinus) and his wife and of Queen Mary-Elisabeth of Hungary. Also inside the fortress there is the Orthodox Cathedral, the History Museum, the Union Hall and the 17th century Batthyanaeum Library. Throughout the history, the city appears under different names: Apulon, Apulum, Balgrad, Alba Iulia/Gyulafehervar, Karlsburg, Weißburg and Alba Iulia.


The Carolinae Citadel with its Walls and Bastions
Walking into The Carolinae Citadel through The First Gate
The Walls of The Citadel with the modern-day buildings of The City in the background
 
 
 
The Main Gate (3rd Gate) of The Citadel
The Main Gate with The Dungeon above seen from inside The Citadel
Beautiful Sculptures above an archway of The Main Gate
 
 
 
The Union Museum of History (left) and The Union House (right) seen from behind The Cathedral inside The Citadel
The History Museum with a rich collection from The Neolithic to World War II
A cobble-stone alleway inbetween The History Museum and The Orthodox Cathedral, leading to the Catholic Cathedral
 
 
 
The Orthodox Coronation Cathedral
The Clock Tower of The Catholic Cathedral seen from the curchyard of The Orthodox Cathedral
The 13th Century Romanesque Style St. Michael's Catholic Cathedral
 
 
 
The Side Gate of St. Michael's Catholic Cathedral
Ancient Bas-Reliefs above The Side Gate of The Cathedral
The Statue of a Saint in The Side Gate Hallway into The Cathedral
 
 
 
The Pipe Organ above the Main Gate of The Cathedral
Inside The Cathedral The Main Gothic-Arched Hallway which leads to The Altar
Beautifully decorated Shrines in the Side Hallway inside The Cathedral
 
 
 
The Tombs of The 15th Century Great Ruler of Transylvania Ioannus Corvinus of Hunedoara (Iancu Corvin de Hunedoara) and his royal family
Tombs of Other Important Personalities like Prince Ioannus Sigismund and his mother Queen Isabella
Part of The 15th Century Princely Palace built originally as the Bishop's Palace transformed in the 18th century into barracks of baroque style
 
 
 
Beautifully decorated Baroque Gate inside The Citadel
Intersection near The Train Station at the entrance in Alba-Iulia
The Shell Gas Station at the entrance in The City
 
 
 

King Michael the Brave entering Alba Iulia in the year of 1600 Proud Nation at The Great Union in Alba Iulia on December 1st, 1918

ALBA-IULIA was the site of the first unification of the Romanian provinces in the year of 1600 when Michael the Brave entered the fortress triumphantly with his armies declaring the Great Union. But one year later the provinces were once more split apart after his assasintaion. After the First World War, on the cold morning of 1st of december 1918 over a million people from all over the country arrived in Alba-Iulia to declare the Unification of the Romanian provinces. Every year, the National Holiday is held on 1st of December in Alba Iulia.

St. Michael's Catholic Cathedral The Statue of King Michael the Brave behind the St. Michael's Catholic Cathedral
The First Gate into The Fortress The Celebration of the National Unity Day on December 1st, 1918 in Alba Iulia The Bridge across Mures River at sunset

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