Timisoara, the third most important city in Romania and one of the most beautiful. A trip, a visit or a walk in Timisoara becomes unforgettable. That's why I remember with such pleasure my last trip, In fact, I hope it was not the last but the most recent.
One of the famous buildings of the city is the Cathedral. The Romanian Revolution started in Timisoara in December 1989 and near the cathedral were the first people killed by the army of the communist regime. Because of this, this place was known all over the world, because the Romanian revolution was the first to be covered and broadcast on televisions around the world.
But to leave history and return to the most recent trip to Timisoara. Timisoara is a very visited city. It also has a good position, very close to Serbia and Hungary. It has many western influences and can be easily reached.
The most flourishing period of the city was in the 1700s when it belonged to the Habsburg Empire. Then the most important buildings in the city were built. The resemblance to Vienna made Timisoara also called "Little Vienna"!
The place I like the most is called Union Square. It's the place where "Little Vienna" is most obvious.
Union Square
The most interesting monuments are here. In the old part of town. Cities are being modernized, changed, new technologies and materials are used, but the beauty remains in the old. This square is a proof.
Roman Catholic Dome (St. George's Cathedral)
It was built between 1736 and 1774, in baroque style. The interior of the dome is rich, noting the 9 altars decorated in Baroque and Rococo style, as well as the organ in the style of Louis XVI, a copy of the famous organ in the church of St. Suplice in Paris.
Baroque Palace
The former Palace of the Prefecture, one of the most valuable buildings in the city is now an art museum.
The monument of the Holy Trinity (Pillar of the Plague)
The monument commemorates the end of the plague epidemic (between 1731 and 1738)
These objectives are one of the attractions of the city and most tourists visit this market. Plus there are some terraces only good for relaxation and a small snack. Beer, of course.
Do you remember the most famous song from the hippy period? Of course, many do not remember because they were not born in those years, the 1960s, if I'm not mistaken. But for those who caught black and white television, this can be a memory. For the youngest it can be an information and an invitation to listen to a legendary song... San Francisco - Scott McKenzie!
"If you're going to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you're going to San Francisco
You're gonna meet some gentle people there"
Source
Listening to this song I thought about why I would like to go to Timisoara. After visiting a new place I like to return several times only to the place I liked the most in that city.
Listening to this song I can paraphrase the first part of the song and adapt it to today's story ...
If you're going to ... Timisoara
You must see the Two Owls!
Yes, because if I return to Timisoara I must go to the two owls.
Two owls! This is the name of the most pleasant bookstore, the library I have been to so far. Every time I come to Timisoara I cross the wonderful Unirii Square and on a side street I find The Two Owls!
I got there by chance with my wife. She loves books and poetry more than I do, so she enjoyed this unexpected surprise the most.
The building where the bookstore is located is hundreds of years old. Probably there was a pub in those rooms if we look at the brick walls. The architects who placed a library in this space were very ingenious and talented.
I love that disorder studied, the way the books are placed, by fields and interests.
Poetry and Theater
History
Foreign Literature
Socio-human Sciences, History, Film
And so on, lots of nicely arranged books that invite you to browse them. But it's not just the books that are there. You can play the piano if you know how to play or not.
The best and most pleasant part, from my point of view, is that you can read, listen to music, browse a magazine, work on a laptop ...
... but most of all, you can do all this while drinking coffee or tea.
You can't even decide what to do first, read or drink coffee sitting on the couch next to the two owls.
Because owls are everywhere. They're masters here, you know why?
Because owls are the symbol of wisdom!
It was a wonderful few hours. I forgot about the city, the streets and the buildings. I traveled from Bucharest over 600 km to get to Timisoara and there I found pleasure in a bookstore. I also listened to music, as San Francisco and Timisoara have a song. Played by the band Phoenix, the most famous rock band in Romania. Founded in 1962, it was contemporary with the hippy movement and hence the connection to San Francisco sung by Scott McKenzie! A slightly forced connection but still a connection.
Timisoara, one of the most beautiful cities in Romania. Next year will be the Cultural Capital of the European Union. It is worth visiting. Whoever can do this next summer will not regret it. This is an invitation!
