Bihor, located in the westernmost part of the country, is one of Romania's 41 counties. Surrounded by Satu-Mare and Salaj to the north and northeast, Cluj county to the east, the counties of Arad and Alba to the south and southeast, and the Hungarian border to the west, Bihor stretches across 7,544 square kilometers of land.[4] The capital city, Oradea, is found in the west near the state borders with Hungary. Oradea is known for its considerable history and Art Nouveau-style buildings.[7] Additionally, the city holds a Medieval Festival annually, attracting a number of tourists to the area.[8] Geographically, one of the highest peaks in the county is called Bihor, found at an altitude of 1,849 meters above sea level, while the lowest-lying area is the Tisa Plain.[4] Apuseni Nature Park is located in the southeastern corner of Bihor and is known for its relative abundance of caves and other karst formations. One particular cave that is often visited in the nature park is Bear's Cave.[5] Bihor territory has allegedly been inhabited since the Neolithic era, with Romans, Huns, and Visigoths residing in the area at different times. Bihor used to be part of Hungary as well as Transylvania throughout its history.[1]
Oradea is one of Bihor's predominant attractions, visited mainly for its 900-year-old history and the Art Nouveau architecture that can be spotted in the city. Some of the landmarks in Oradea are Union Square and Black Eagle Palace, the latter of which serves as Transylvania's example of a Secession-style monument. Another sight is the Moon Church, showcasing its clockwork mechanics. An example of Art Nouveau architecture crafted in the Secession style is the Darvas-La Roche House, which operates as a museum. To observe Secession, Baroque, Classicist, or Eclectic architecture, people can stroll down Republicii Avenue. The City Hall Palace and Tower, found in the city's heart, represent another historical and cultural attraction. Lastly, Oradea Fortress presents local authentic medieval architecture as one of Transylvania's predominant medieval landmarks.[7] Moreover, the fortress features the annual Medieval Festival. Held in July at the Citadel of Oradea, it is one of Romania's most prominent medieval festivals. The event reflects local history, featuring knights, medieval personas, and age-old customs through battle reenactments, combat displays, and traditional crafts. During the festival time, Oradea Citadel is transformed into a medieval village with craftsmen, knights, soldiers, minstrels, and illusionists.[8]
For nature enthusiasts, Apuseni Nature Park can be found in the southeastern corner of Bihor. The nature park features Bear's Cave, which was discovered by miners in 1975. It was named after the bear skeletons that were discovered within the cave. These bears have reportedly been extinct for 15,000 years. The cave is structured across two levels, encompassing galleries with stalagmites and stalactites of various shapes and sizes, stretching over half a mile. Some stalactites date back 22,000 years and continue to grow, expanding about one-third of an inch every two decades. The upper level, spanning 292 miles, is accessible to visitors, while the second level, stretching 312 miles, is reserved for scientific exploration.[5]
Bihor County's geography varies from high peaks in Bihor and Vladeasa Mountains to lower peaks in Codru Moma, Padurea Craiului, and Plopis, with elevations ranging from 500 to 1,849 meters. The Tisa Plain is the lowest point. Rivers, lakes, and reservoirs constitute the hydrographical network, and some of the more notable bodies of water include Crisul Repede, Crisul Negru, the Barcau River, Taul Mare Lake, and several fishery lakes. Bihor's soil also features mineral resources, namely bauxite, ore, coal, oil, natural gas, clay, marble, and chalk. Additionally, geothermal and mineral springs can be found within the county's borders as well.[4]
In terms of natural attractions and protected areas, the county shares the Western Carpathians' Natural Reservation with Alba and Cluj. Furthermore, caves and karstic sites such as the Bears Cave, Meziad Cave, Ponoare's intermittent isbuk, and the Winds Cave are found in Bihor's mountainous region.[4] Apuseni Nature Park can also be found within Bihor's borders, known for its cave fauna with prehistoric traces and Ice Age animal fossils. The park's landscape is dominated by limestone, shaping mountain ridges and underground rivers. The karst features tend to attract geology enthusiasts. While some caves can be explored with basic gear, others require rock climbing or crawling. Unlike other Romanian parks, Apuseni is home to permanent settlements at high altitudes, with the villages of Albac and Arieseni showcasing traditional crafts. The park also serves as a refuge for wildlife, including rare bats, protected mammals such as bears and elk, and alpine birds such as the ural owl and nutcracker.[5]
Bihor's climate is characterized as moderate continental, influenced by air masses from the western and northwestern directions.[4] The warmest month in the city of Oradea is generally August, with an average daily temperature of 26°C. January is most commonly the coldest month, as temperatures average a high of 2°C. January tends to be the driest month in Oradea because it generally receives 39 millimeters of rainfall on average. The most precipitation falls during June, with an average of about 93 millimeters.[6]
The area of Bihor County has been inhabited since prehistoric times, as artifacts from the Neolithic period, ancient Roman pottery, coins, and remains from the Visigoths and Huns have been discovered in the region. Later, the Bihor territory became part of the historical region of feudal Transylvania as well.[1] Before World War I, Bihor County was part of Hungary's Bihar County. However, after the war, it became part of Romania under the Treaty of Trianon in 1920. Administrative changes occurred in 1925, and in 1938, King Carol II restructured Romania's divisions, creating the "ținuturi," with Bihor County included in Ținutul Crișuri. In 1940, due to the Second Vienna Award, a portion of the county returned to Hungary, but Romania regained control in 1944. Romanian jurisdiction was confirmed by the Paris Peace Treaties in 1947. The county was dissolved in 1950 under communism but reestablished in 1968 with Romania's administrative reform.[2]
In terms of Oradea's history, it dates back to Neolithic times, evidenced by archaeological finds. Later, Romans were present in the area, but the region also had Dacian and Celtic inhabitants. In following years, the site reportedly prospered under Hungarian rule, with the construction of landmarks such as the Citadel. Inhabited by an ethnic mix of various groups under Ottoman rule, Oradea faced political shifts due to the Ottoman invasion and the Treaty of Vienna. In the 18th century, the Habsburgs reconstructed the city. Additionally, Oradea played a role in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848 and was part of Romania after World War I. It experienced territorial changes during World War II but eventually returned to Romania. Since the 1989 revolution, Oradea has reportedly aimed for prosperity as a cultural and economic center in Western Romania.[3]
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