Palate

The Water Palace is one of the most valuable buildings in Timișoara, located at the entrance to the Iosefin Neighbourhood, immediately after Traian Bridge. The Water Palace or the House of the House of the Timiș Bega Hydro-Improvement Company, as it was originally called, was built between 1900 and 1902 by Karl Hart, based on architect Baumhorn Lipót's plans, after Bega became navigable. The building was designed in the architectural style typical of the 1900s, and decorated with Neo-Baroque and Ionic elements. Since originally it had been a single-storey building, it was later raised by Artur Tunner, without, however, losing its architectural harmony. The heightened roof of the central part of the building and the double columns of the façade can be noted, both highlighting the pediments. The decorations are extremely rich, while one may distinguish representations of fish and other water-inspired figures, as well as anthropomorphic ones. Text and photo sources: http://www.radiotimisoara.ro/; http://timisoara.eventya.eu/

The Palace of the National Bank is a representative building of Timișoara, located at 1 Ion Brătianu Av.. It was built between 1903 and 1904, based on architect Josef Hubert's plans, in the style typical of the 1900s, with late Baroque elements combined with Secession. The lion heads that decorate the façade signify wealth and power. The building is surrounded by a garden and has two entrances that lead to an elegant hallway, with columns, where the counters are. The upper level impresses through the sobriety and elegance of its halls. The Palace of the National Bank is an imposing building that served as the Austro-Hungarian Bank headquarters between 1904 and 1918, and later, as the State Bank. Currently this is where the Timișoara Branch of the National Bank of Romania operates. Text and photo sources: http://www.timisoreni.ro/; http://timisoara.eventya.eu/

The Baroque Palace is one of the representative buildings of eighteenth century Timișoara. It is located centrally, at 1 Union Square. Also known as the Palace of the Old Prefecture, the building of the Baroque Palace had over time several functions: - in 1733 it housed the Judicial Mining Office; - in 1735 the treasury of the military garrison was here; - in 1752 it was the old administrative office of the region; - in 1754 the building became the residence of the president of the civil administration, Count Vilana Perlas, and, thus, known as the Palace of the President; - until 1849 it used to be the seat of the County Administration; - between 1849-1860, the administration of the Banat of Temeschwar and Serbian Vojvodina was established here; - in 1861 the seat of the Timiș County was restored here; - in 1919 it became the seat of the Prefecture of Timiș - Torontal County; - mid-twentieth century, the Baroque Palace housed the Agronomy Institute; - in 1979 it was arranged for it to accommodate a museum; - in 1984 it starting housing the Art Section of the Banat Museum, which on January 1, 2006 became the Art Museum. From the architectural point of view, the palace was built in Baroque style, with some rococo elements. Between 1885 and1886, the attic and the ironware were restored, based on architect Jacques Klein's project. This is when the baroque decoration elements were removed, especially from the façade. The palace is especially elegant inside, and in the basement there is an eighteenth century fountain. Text source: http://timisoara.eventya.eu/

The Palace of the Reformed Community is located in the vicinity of the Virgin Mary Square in Timişoara, at 1 Timotei Cipariu St.. The building houses the parsonage and the reformed church, and it was built in 1902 in Neo-Gothic style, based on the projects of Budapest architects Nagy Károly and Jánosházi László. The architecture of the building is a special one. It highlights the sharp-shaped roofs, similar to the medieval towers from the Gothic period. The organ of the Reformed Community Palace was manufactured in Lipót Wegenstein's workshop, and the pulpit is the work of Jakab Fischer. In front of the Reformed Community Palace, on December 15, 1989, the Romanian anti-communist revolution began, with the manifestation against the deportation of the Reformed pastor, László Tökes. Text and photo sources: http://www.timisoara-info.ro/; http://timisoara.eventya.eu/

The Palace of Culture, located in Victory Square, was built between 1871 and 1875, by architects Helmer and Fellner, in Renaissance style. In 1880, the building underwent a fire and was rebuilt between 1880 and 1882, maintaining the original style. In 1920, the building caught fire again and was rebuilt between 1923 and 1928; the interior was rebuilt in Neo-Romanian style. The 3 entrance arches from the ground floor were replaced with a larger gate. Between 1934-1936, the façade was fundamentally changed, and a huge modern arch was built. The three Eclectic, Historicist arches from the first floor of the buildings were replaced with three Neo-Byzantine arches. In 2003, the side surfaces of the main façade regained their original appearance. Currently, the building of the Palace of Culture houses shows put on by the Romanian Opera, the National Theatre, the German State Theatre and the Hungarian Theatre "Csiky Gergely". Text and photo sources: http://www.timisoara-info.ro/; http://timisoara.eventya.eu/

The Dauerbach Palace, also known as the Palace, is a monumental building, located in Victory Square of Timișoara. Built between 1912 and 1913, based on the plans of famous architect László Székely, the edifice impresses through the harmonious combination of architectural styles of the era: Eclectic, Art Nouveau and Baroque. The façade of the building was executed in a special way, being structured into one central and two side parts. The central side is also divided into 3 higher parts, with three pediments at the roof level, in the shape of an ogival accolade. The sides each have 2 pillars, and at the upper level - a pediment and a lower roof. Ever since the inauguration of the building, the Palace restaurant and café were opened at the ground floor, as well as the first open-air terrace in town. For a very long time, the restaurant was one of the most appreciated ones among the local high society. On the northern corner of the building, a pharmacy used to work in 1913, which is still enjoying a good reputation in town. Text and photo sources: http://www.timisoara-info.ro/; http://timisoara.eventya.eu/

After the defeat of the Hungarian Republic established in 1849, Hungary was divided into the five "crown countries" (kronländer). Banat of Temeschwar and Serbian Vojvodina, with its capital at Timișoara, was one of them. A seat for the government of this crown country needed to be built. Thus, between 1855 and 1860, the Dicasterial Palace appeared, the biggest building in town at the time. It was built in the style of the Italian Renaissance, with architectural elements similar to those in the Palazzo Strozzi and Palazzo Pitti in Florence. In the year when the building was finally completed, Banat was once more adjoined to Hungary, therefore a seat for the government was no longer necessary, since Timișoara became the capital of the county. The Palace has three levels, with originally 273 offices, 34 servant rooms, 34 kitchens, 65 cellars, 27 storage rooms, all placed around three inner courtyards. Today, the Dicasterial Palace houses the Court House of Timișoara, the Timiș Tribunal and the Appellate Court. Text and photo sources http://www.timisoara-info.ro/; http://timisoara.eventya.eu/

The Serbian Orthodox Bishopric, located in Union Square of Timișoara, is one of the monumental buildings of this town. The Palace was built between 1745 and 1748, in the times of Serbian Orthodox Bishop of Timișoara, Gheorghie Popovici. From the architectural point of view, the building was designed in Byzantine style, originally one storey high, as typical Baroque elements were introduced, according to architect László Székely's plans. In 1911 decorations taken from the Serbian architecture were added. Above the entrance gate, one can see the coat of arms of the Serbian Orthodox Bishopric of Timișoara. The Palace was meant to be an Episcopal residence, as it was an important centre for the Orthodox faith and culture. Since 1967, The Serbian Orthodox Bishopric has been housing a rich collection of religious art from the 17th to the 19th centuries, consisting of wood and canvas icons, prints brought from Orthodox churches and monasteries, old books, silverware, portraits of Serbian Orthodox bishops. Also, an extremely valuable library and archive are housed here, where the original plans of the palace are kept. Text source: http://timisoara.eventya.eu/

The construction of the Roman-Catholic Episcopal Palace, located at 4 Augustin Pacha St. started in 1743, when the building was donated by Empress Maria Theresa to the Roman-Catholic Episcopacy. Starting the year 1783, the building became the permanent residence of the Catholic Bishop. In terms of architectural style, the Baroque style may be identified, while the portal is decorated with some rococo elements. The Roman-Catholic Bishopric of Timișoara is considered to the successor of the Bishopric of Cenad, founded in 1030. Once transferred to Timișoara in 1738, it became the Bishopric of Timișoara in 1930. In the post-war period, the Bishopric was closed down, and it continued its activity as a simple Deanship. After 1990 it was reactivated and the building was recovered. Now it hosts a museum, where statues, paintings and other religios exhibits may be seen. Upstairs there are eight huge stained glass windows depicting saints and martyrs of the Hungarian Catholic community. They were rescued and hidden in communist times. Text and photo sources: http://www.timisoara-info.ro/; http://timisoara.eventya.eu/

Built between 1910 and 1912, in the style of the 1900s, with elements typical of the Secession trend. Thus stands Lloyd Palace at 2 Victory Square. The building was designed by architect Leopold Baumhorn and stands on three floors, with façades decorated and adorned with statues. For a long time, the Lloyd Palace housed the Agricultural Stock Exchange and the Lloyd Club. In 1948, the building became known as the Politechnica Palace, home to the Rectorate of the Politechnical University of Timișoara. Among the decorative elements of the building, remnants of panels, mirrors, stained glass windows and a few chandeliers are still preserved. The entrance hall is very nicely decorated. Text and photo sources: http://www.timisoara-info.ro/; http://timisoara.eventya.eu/

The Széchenyi Palace is located at 8 Victory Square. It was built between 1900 and 1914 by the Széchényi Company, based on architect László Székely's plans. It is considered to be the most beautiful building in Victory Square, due to its rich decorations, statues and bas-reliefs adorning it. The Széchenyi Palace was designed in the style of the 1900s, with elements typical of the Secession trend. Architect László Székely had his office in this building. Architect Michael Wolf performed his professional practice in this office. Later, he took over Székely's office. In the interwar period, Wolf became one of the best architects in Timişoara. Text source: http://timisoara.eventya.eu/

The Weiss Palace, located at 2 Bulevardul Republicii, was built in 1912 for the Weiss family. The building was designed by Arnold Merbl Co., based on Adalbert Szladek's plans, and the pediment was redesigned by architect Székely László. The architectural style is Eclectic, influenced by the 1900s style, with elements typical of the Secession trend. The main pediment of the building faces the town theatre, while the ground floor houses several shops. The Palace comprises 27 residential apartments, and the building entrance is on Sf.Ioan St. Text and photo sources: http://www.timisoara-info.ro/; http://timisoara.eventya.eu/