You now find me in the beautiful city of Alba Iulia - Alba where? Yes exactly its not on the main tourist route but after looking at the rail timetables I found it was a convenient place place to break the journey from Budapest to Brasov.
Alba Iulia is a fortified city dating back to Roman times, indeed there was a Celtic presence here too. The main fortifications are in the Vauban style - star shaped design, multiple angles to prevent blind spots, concentric walls with deep trenches in between. They date back 18th century when the Habsburg Empire was defending itself from the Ottoman Turks.
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The panals with writing on them on the left are a Romanian Bill of Rights |
The main sight however, is the Coronation Cathedral that was built in 1921/1922 after the Unification for the coronation of King Ferdinand I and Queen Marie as king and queen of a united Romania in 1922. The Cathedral is an Eastern Orthodox church, so lots of icons and little seating as you are usually expect to stand during the services.
Not to be out done, next to this is the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Michael, a much simpler affair but no less impressive and very atmospheric. On a Sunday it was interesting that at times the two cathedrals tried to outdo each other in the bell ringing stakes!!
Alba Iulia is very relaxed and off the main foreign tourist circuit although there are plenty of Romanians here. Therefore expect less English - What did we do before Google translate on our phones!! But a great introduction to Romania.
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King Ferdinand I |
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Queen Marie |
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