Castles, Citadels, Architectural Curiosities

Administrative Palace - Târgu Mureș

At the beginning of the century, when the development of the city center prospered, the administrative building began, the first building built in Art Nouveau style in Târgu Mureş. The project of this impressive building was made by the architects Komor Marcell and Jakab Dezső - great lovers of Transylvania. The elegance of the place is due to pink marble, stained glass, Zsolnay tile, marble pillars. In the basement of the building were designed a few service rooms, cells, firebox, etc. Downstairs were offices such as the police, the court, the tax office, the archives, etc. Upstairs was the town hall, the festive hall, the council room, the marriage hall. The tower where we have the most beautiful view of the city functioned as the residence of the firefighters. The Tower Opening HoursSchedule: (May-August)Tuesday – Friday: 9.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m.Saturday – Sunday 9.00 a.m. – 2.00 p.mMonday: closed. The tower is closed on Public Holidays. Schedule: (September-April)Tuesday – Friday: 9.00 a.m. – 2.00 p.m.Saturday – Sunday 9.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.mMonday: closed. The tower is closed on Public Holidays.Tickets can be bought at the box office of the Palace of Culture. 

Cultural Palace - Târgu Mureș

The emblematic building of the city, which was called the "Ferencz Jozsef Cultural House", is the place that hosts various cultural events in the city, known today as the Palace of Culture. The data on its construction can be studied by anyone in the National Archive, and here you can consult its design documents. The idea of building such a building came from the innovator, Dr. Bernady Gyorgy, who started construction works with 150 people. During the works, the construction projects have been modified several times in order to serve more purposes. The builders did not agree with the greatness of the building because it was about to be a more imposing building, and so the Administrative Palace would have lost its grandiosity. Finally, the Palace opens its doors in 1913. At the opening ceremony, Dr. Bernady Gyorgy emphasized that his intention was for this building to be a cultural center where every cultural field could be found. The palace is decorated in the 19th century style. From the architectural point of view it is modern and elegant, because of this it became the symbolic building and defines the identity of Târgu Mureş. The atmosphere of the building can spell us when we cross the threshold of the Eclectic Palace, and all the more so as we spend enough time to admire the history that unfolds before our eyes. Here is the present with the past, in an elegant ambiance filled with stories.Inside you can visit the Great Hall, Hall and Stairs, Small Hall, Hall of Mirrors, Bernády Memorial Room, Dandea Memorial Room, Secession Hall, Permanent Gallery of Modern Romanian Art, Permanent Gallery of Hungarian Classical Art, and temporary exhibitions.Opening HoursSchedule: Tuesday – Friday: 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.Saturday – Sunday 9.00 a.m. – 2.30 p.mMonday: closedThe closing time of the ticket office: 3.30 p.m./ 2.00 p.mThe Museum is closed on Public Holidays.Galleries may occasionally be closed for maintenance or long-term refurbishment.

The Medieval Citadel

Built in the 17th century, the present citadel was erected on the site of an older fortification, from 1492, which belonged to Báthori István, the voivode of Transylvania. It was destroyed when the Habsburg troops led by general Georgio Basta entered the town, in 1601. A year later, during the mandate of mayor Borsos Tamás reconstruction works began, in a pentagonal shape, with 7 bastions, 5 of which were built by the strongest guilds in town at that time (the tailors, the coopers, the furriers, the shoemakers and the butchers), being interconnected by 10 meter high walls and surrounded by a 10m wide and 8m deep moat. Today the citadel has been completely renovated and it represents an important attraction for both the locals, and the tourists. Discover the history of the Citadel!We offer free guided tours, from Monday to Friday between 8:00 and 15:00 at the Fortress. Book now for an appointment by calling +40 (787) 709 606.And if you feel like discovering the citadel on your own, you can do it in a fun way, through the interactive tour developed by the FORCAMP Association, where your mobile phone will be your guide. Start the tour by clicking HERE.

„Bolyai” building - Târgu Mureș

The building that houses Bolyai Farkas High School was built in several stages, the main building being the last one, built in Secession style, between 1908 - 1909. In 1557 the Reformed Private School (Schola Particula) was relocated from the Citadel, where it had functioned within the Franciscan monastery, on the site where we can find today Bolyai Farkas High School. Later, in 1718, following the dissolution of Calvin College in Alba Iulia by the Habsburgs, the students were taken over by the Schola Particula în Târgu-Mureș, which was elevated on this occasion to the rank of College. From 1957 the high school took over the name of the famous scholar Bolyai Farkas, who lived and taught mathematics in Tg. Mureș.

Teleki Library - Târgu Mureș

In 1802 Count Teleki Sámuel, the Chancellor of Transylvania, opened the first public library in Transylvania. The building was constructed between 1799 – 1802 and the library had the role of bringing people closer to books. It provided approximately 40.000 volumes, gathered over six decades, in which he had collected the first prints of the most representative scientific works, as well as a reading room for in-depth study of the valuable manuscripts. After World War II, this collection was completed with the 80.000 volumes of the former Reformed College, as well as funds from the castles in the region. Today the treasures of Teleki Library can be admired in the original hall, on the ground floor of the building.Opening HoursExhibitions:Tuesday-Friday: 10:00 - 18:00Saturday: 10:00-16:00Reading Room:Tuesday-Friday: 10:00 - 18:00Last admission half an hour before closing time!

House of Teleki Domokos - Târgu Mureș

The palace under the fortress, which houses today the Reformed Church, was built in 1797-1803 in a classical baroque style. The interior patio is lined with carved stone columns. Its builder was Domokos Teleki, prefect of Turda County, and his wife, Zsuzsanna Kendeffy.The house, like all the noble aristocratic houses, was the scene of musical gatherings and performances frequented also by mathematician Farkas Bolyai and János Bolyai. In 1849, this building served as the headquarters of General Bem.According to historical sources, the Polish general together with the poet Petőfi Sándor marched from here to the battlefield of Albeşti on 30 July 1849.Source: Árpád Balás. Târgu Mureş personalized. Târgu Mureş: Mentor (2016).

Toldalagi Palace (Ethnographic And Folk Art Museum) - Târgu Mureș

Toldalagi Palace is the first noble residence built in the city and one of the most beautiful Baroque buildings in Transylvania. It was built between 1759 – 1772, as the residence of Count Toldalagi László, who was appointed judge at the Tabula Regia (the Supreme Court), following its relocation from Mediaș to Târgu-Mureș, in 1754. Since 1984 the building has housed the Ethnographic and Folk Art section of Mureș County Museum.

The Franciscan Bell Tower - Târgu Mureș

The Franciscan Tower in Târgu Mureş is an integral part of the 18th century Franciscan monastery built on the main square of the city. The simple, Baroque-style tower became a symbol of the destruction of Romanian socialism, just like the church of Bözödújfalu. In 1971, when the National Theater was built, the monastery was demolished with the church and the school in it. The church dignitaries have only been able to save the tower during long negotiations, given the fact that the entrance leading into the crypt of the monks starts from the tower. The tower is listed in the Romanian List of Monuments under number MS-II-m-A-15552.

The National Theatre Târgu Mureș

The National Theatre in Târgu-Mureș has its roots in the Szekler Theatre, the first permanent theatre in town, founded in 1946 by director Tompa Miklós, whose plays were staged in the Palace of Culture. In 1962 the Romanian section was also established, and in 1965 it was decided to build a new theatre in Tg. Mureș. It was built between 1971 and 1973 in predominantly modernist style, with many angular shapes and excessive corners, for which the four architects who designed it were awarded with the Prize of the Union of Architects from Romania, in 1973. Today the Romanian and Hungarian sections of the National Theatre operate here. 

The Pálffy House - Târgu Mureș

Built in 1640 by Judge Tolnai János, the house was purchased by the Pálffy family in 1885. It is considered by specialists as the first building in the city where the Baroque style elements can be recognized. Although in urban legends it is known as “The Executioner’s House”, this theory has no historical grounds. Currently, it hosts the Faculty of Music within the University of Arts in Tg. Mureș. 

The Court House – Tabula Regia (The Kendeffy House) - Târgu Mureș

Tabula Regia represented the Supreme Court of Transylvania, which was relocated from the town of Mediaș to Tg. Mureș, in 1754. Tabula Regia functioned first in a building in the centre of the city and later, in 1826, it was moved to the palace built by the noble family Kendeffy in the beginning of the 19th century. Currently, the building houses the Court of Appeal. The Court of Law and the penitentiary were built where the palace gardens once were.  

The Apollo Palace - Târgu Mureș

The Apollo Palace was built between 1820 – 1822, by Count Teleki Sámuel, with the purpose of renting out the rooms and using the money obtained to expand the book fund and to support the public library that he had opened in 1802. On the ground floor there were two shops and on the first floor there were rented rooms. On the second floor there was a ballroom, where debutantes’ balls were organized. The building was bought later by Albert Bürger, an important magnate, who had also opened the first brewery in town. Today the Folk Art School and other institutions can be found here. 

Târgu Mureș Town Hall