Arad, located in the western part of the country, is one of Romania's 41 counties. It borders Bihor County to the north and northeast, Alba County to the east, Hunedoara County to the southeast, Timiș County to the south, and also contributes to Romania's state borders with Hungary to the west.[9] From a geographical point of view, Arad lies between Apuseni Mountains and the Mures and Crisul Alb rivers' plain. There are two notable mountain ranges in Arad County, Codru-Moma Mountains, and the Zarandului Mountains, separated by the Zarandului Depression.[2] In terms of local nature and protected areas, Arad features Mures Floodplain Natural Park, which covers various landscapes, including wetlands, running waters, lakes, swamps, floodplains, and forests that are primarily made of common oaks. The area is also a nesting place for over 200 bird species. Thus, the floodplains tend to be visited by birdwatchers.[4] The capital city, named Arad as well, is found in the southwestern part of the county. Arad City has a considerable history; for instance, it is home to one of Europe's earliest music conservatories and one of the first regular schools. It also holds the distinction of being the location of Hungary and Romania's first car factory. In today's time, the city serves as the seat of a Romanian Orthodox archbishop, housing a theological seminary and two universities.[1]
Arad County in western Romania boasts several cultural landmarks, including the first conservatory in Romania and the sixth in Europe, highlighting the significance of music in its cultural life. Hungarian composer Franz Liszt held his concerts in Arad during his final tour, earning an honorary diploma from the local public. Moreover, the county's Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus have performed in various countries. In Arad is also found the Administrative Palace. Constructed between 1872 and 1876, the palace served as the Arad City Hall and a meeting place for local officials. Additionally, in the city is also situated the Palace of Culture, built in 1913, which housed the museum, library, and concert hall. The Lutheran Evangelical Church, completed in 1906, reportedly holds considerable significance for believers from Transylvania and Banat regions.
Resulting from the joint efforts of entrepreneurs and architects, the Ioan Slavici Classical Theatre stands in a 19th-century building. After a fire in 1883, the theater was rebuilt on its original site using surviving sections of the structure.[6] Furthermore, Arad's architectural heritage features various Art Nouveau structures like Szántay Palace, Bohus Palace, and Földes Palace as well. Notable sites include the Orthodox Cathedral, Old Water Tower, and Grozescu Pharmacy. Nearby, historic monasteries like Hodos-Bodrog and Bezdin add to the region's history.[8]
Purgly Castle is another historical and cultural landmark found within Arad County's borders. The Castle was built in secession style and was inspired by the Hunyadi Castle model. Its construction date is uncertain, but it reportedly gained prominence in 1889. During this time, the estate covered approximately 500 hectares with wheat and corn fields and a vineyard. Its exterior facade features lace-like decorations and small turrets, showcasing typical elements of medieval architecture.
The Castle's interior features an artistic wooden coffered ceiling in the reception hall and stained glass windows in the dining and great rooms. Presently, the Purgly estate spans 5 hectares and is officially recognized as a national heritage site due to its historical significance. Following its renovation, the Castle has been transformed into an international conference center, hosting gatherings of scientists, intellectuals, doctors, teachers, and businessmen from across the globe. Adjacent to the Castle, a Roman bath-inspired thermal beach has been established, featuring water with reportedly curative properties, benefiting ailments such as rheumatism, coxarthrosis, arthrosis, bronchial asthma, and peripheral circulation. The beach remains accessible throughout the year, surrounded by centuries-old trees and a nursery containing over 100 planted trees.[7]
Arad County, located in western Romania, lies between the Apuseni Mountains and the Mures and Crisul Alb rivers' plain. It shares borders with Bihor, Alba, Hunedoara, and Timis counties, as well as Hungary in the west. Covering 7,754 square kilometers, it is the fifth-largest county in Romania. The region reportedly benefits from a strategic geographic position at the intersection of European roads, making it a considerable transportation hub. The landscape varies from mountains to depressions and plains, with elevations ranging from 80 m to 1,486 meters above sea level. Arad's landscape consists of two mountainous regions: the Codru-Moma Mountains and the Zarandului Mountains, separated by the Zarandului Depression. Towards the south lies a fairly isolated corridor known as the Mures corridor, while the western area is characterized by a plain known as the central part of the West Plain. In terms of water supply, the Mures River is the primary watercourse traversing the area.[2]
The Mureș Floodplain Natural Park, established in 2005, is situated in western Romania near Arad. Encompassing 17,455 hectares, the park stretches along the Mureș River from Arad to the Hungarian border. It represents a wetland ecosystem with various water bodies, swamps, floodplains, and forests, serving as a habitat for numerous bird species. The park is reportedly prone to periodic floods, which tend to occur approximately every three years. The forested area, covering 7,500 hectares, is dominated by common oak, narrow-leafed ash, black and white poplar, white willow, and American black walnut, creating a nesting and migration site for nearly 200 bird species, many of which are internationally protected. Thus, the park administration built two structures in the Bezdin area to facilitate wildlife and bird watching. In 2004, a wildlife viewing tower was constructed in a forested area known for its relatively diverse wildlife. The following year, a bird-watching tower was erected near the Bezdin marsh. These towers can be accessed from the Bezdin Monastery and the Munar commune, offering opportunities for observing birds and other wildlife in the park.[4]
Arad County experiences a "moderate continental climate with oceanic influences."[2] The warmest month in Arad is generally August, with an average daily high temperature of 28°C. Reportedly, January is the coldest month, as temperatures average highs of 3°C. January also tends to be the driest month in Arad because it generally receives 36 mm of rainfall on average. The most precipitation falls during June, with an average of about 88 mm.[5]
Arad, the capital city of Arad County, bears evidence of a Pre-Indo-European civilization dating back to the 5th millennium BC, with the first settlement established along the northern bank of the Mureş River. Human settlements extended to the left bank in the 4th millennium BC, and prosperous Indo-European settlements emerged in the 3rd millennium BC, reportedly reaching their peak as a civilization around 1000 BC. Dacian settlements appeared in the 1st millennium BC, followed by the assimilation of Scythians by the Dacians. Consequently, Celts settled in the region between the 4th and 3rd centuries, coexisting with the Dacians before being assimilated. Eventually, the Roman conquest of the area occurred in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, leading to the development of commercial relations with Dacian and Sarmatian settlements in the region.[1]
Concerning the history of the county as a whole, Arad County's official records date back to 1028, but the history of the city itself, as mentioned before, traces back to the 4th century BC when it was part of Burebista's state and later Decebal's Kingdom, which was occupied by the Romans after 106 AD.
In the 11th century, Arad came under the rule of the Hungarian Kingdom and was formally recognized as a city in 1329. Subsequently, it experienced the Ottoman occupation in 1552, with a brief interruption during Michael the Brave's rule lasting from 1595 to 1615. Since 1687, Arad was a part of the Habsburg Empire.[2]
In the center of Arad city is located the Arad Fortress. The Fortress of Arad, constructed in the 18th century by the Habsburg Empress Maria Theresa, served as a military stronghold and played a crucial role in maintaining Habsburg dominance in the region. Over the years, it had various uses, including housing military units and serving as a prison. The fortress contains blockhouses for defense, a military hospital, a Catholic church, and other living quarters. Currently, the fortress houses a museum displaying historical items, including weapons, uniforms, and artifacts from different periods of its history.[3]
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