Timișoara Metropolitan Cathedral

<p>The Timișoara Metropolitan Cathedral is one of Romania's most impressive church buildings. 83 m central tower, 11 spires, 11 bells (one weighing 7 tons), exterior in white marble and glazed brick. Built between 1936 and 1946 in Brâncovenesc neo-Romanian style, dedicated to the Three Hierarchs Basil, Gregory, John. Its place on Victory Square is symbolic — the 1989 Revolution began right here.</p><p>On December 17, 1989, thousands gathered on these steps after pastor László Tőkés was evicted from his Reformed parish. The army fired into the crowd. Plaques commemorate the Revolution's dead. The cathedral's doors still keep bullet marks inside.</p><p>Inside, the nave runs 60 m, with modern Byzantine-style frescoes, bronze chandeliers, an oak-carved iconostasis. There's a diocesan museum with ritual objects from the Brâncovenesc period. Acoustics are very good — Sunday services are sung, beautiful to hear.</p><p>Tip: free, enter respectfully (shoulders and knees covered). Around the cathedral are Victory Square (beautiful in the evening), the National Opera, the Loyd Palace. Timișoara was European Capital of Culture 2023 — lots of restoration, a great cafe and restaurant scene.</p>