Heritage of Timișoara

Districts

Heritage of Timişoara is a cultural intervention program, aimed at Timişoara’s historic districts. The project aims to promote the material cultural heritage of Timișoara, raise public awareness on the importance of its preservation and protection, as well as encourage cultural tourism in the city's historic districts.

The first edition of the project was launched in 2017 and it was dedicated to the historic district Fabric. In 2018-2019, we will intervene in the Iosefin and Elisabetin districts, and in 2020-2021 we will focus on Cetate and Mehala districts. Find out more about Heritage of Timișoara in the dedicated section.

Iosefin

Initially named "Maierele Vechi", the historical district of Iosefin is located in the west side of Timisoara. It was founded in the middle of the eighteenth century, at the beginning being just a village of German colonists, located at the outskirts of the walls of Timisoara Citadel.

Iosefin buildings Greetings from Iosefin!

From 1773, the district bears the name of Emperor Joseph II of Habsburg and is twinned with the Josefstadt districts of Vienna (Austria) and Józsefváros in Budapest (Hungary). With its own historical and socio-cultural identity, which has sometimes been reflected in the architecture of the houses and places of worship, Iosefin is home to Baroque, 1900s style (Secession / Art Nouveau), nineteenth-century eclectic buildings with various influences (neo-baroque, romanesque revival, Byzantine or gothic revival), as well as some examples of neo-Romanian architecture. Many of these have become urban landmarks for the locals, with which they identify themselves. Moreover, Iosefin's industrial and utilitarian architecture, built in 1900's style, is represented by several stunning buildings, such as the former Cigarette Factory (built in 1846, the first of its kind on the current territory of Romania) or the Water Castle.

Although Iosefin is a neighbourhood with a rich cultural and architectural heritage, as in the case of other Timisoara historical districts (e.g. Fabric, Elisabetin, Mehala), its built heritage is in a poor state of preservation and Iosefin has not been able to compete in the last two decades with the Cetate neighbourhood, which practically represents the "heart of the city" and the major pole of tourist attraction. We hope that everyone who visits this online platform will take a different look at the neighbourhood, and observe the beauty of the cultural heritage, so present in Iosefin.

Fabric

Fabric (alternatively Fabrică, German - Fabrikstadt, Hungarian - Gyárkülváros/Gyárváros) is one of the oldest historic neighbourhoods in Timişoara, and holds a rich cultural and architectural heritage. Its name comes from the factories which were built here ever since its beginnings, in the 18th century.

Fabric buildings Greetings from Fabric! Fabric Weaves

In old times, Fabric’s economy and social life were booming, as it was often regarded as ‘merchants’ neighbourhood’ because here resided tens of craft workshops and shops for all categories and needs. Fabric was also famous for its nightlife, as people of Timișoara were bustling in every weekend, to have a good time in the neighbourhood’s restaurants and cafes. In this sense, it was told that: ‘Everything good comes from Fabric: water to drink, bread, beer and mighty horses.’ The neighbourhood is situated on the Eastern side of Timișoara, so it could be said that the sun also comes from Fabric.

Today, the neighbourhood’s life is not as busy as it used, most of the factories are dismantles and the shops on the ground floor of the buildings are gone. The historic buildings, most of which are in an advanced state of decay, are the only ones reminding people of past times. We hope that everyone who visits our online platform will take a different look at the neighbourhood, and observe the beauty of the cultural heritage, so present in Fabric.

Elisabetin

The "youngest" historic district of Timisoara, Elisabetin (bearing this name since 1896, to honor Elizabeth, the Empress of Austria and the Queen of Hungary), is remarkable on account of both its rich built heritage and quiet atmosphere of the streets. The multitude of parks - small "green hearts" - contribute to the spirit of the district, offering small refuges in the urban tissue.

Keeper of a vast architecture reserve dating back to the 1900s, combined with cobbled stone streets, parks and tramlines on narrow streets, the Elisabetin district offers a unique urban scenography in Timisoara. Another important feature is the presence on its territory of the university area, with an important number of faculties, as well as related buildings (dormitories, cafeterias, laboratories, sports complexes, etc.), many of which are buildings with historic valences.

Although Elisabetin is a neighborhood with a rich cultural and architectural heritage, as in the case of other Timisoara historical districts (such as Fabric, Iosefin or Elisabetin), it has failed to compete in the last two decades with the Cetate neighborhood, which is considered ‘the heart of the city’ and the major pole of tourist attraction. We hope that everyone who visits our online platform will take a different look at this neighbourhood, and observe the beauty of the cultural heritage, so present in Elisabetin.

Mehala

Coming soon

Cetate

Coming soon