Certified under the old historic documents of 1113, Oradea is a settlement built in a Transylvanian area that has been inhabited ever since the Neolithic Age.
The archaeological vestiges found and authenticated by specialists on the current territory of the city recompose the images of establishments and necropolises from the Neolithic Age, from the Bronze Age, the first Iron Age and from the age of the Free Dacians.
The presence and constant existence of the domestic population in the area of Oradea is also mentioned in the work of the notary Anonymus of the Hungarian King Bela III, who, in his work “Gesta Hungarorum”, provides valuable information on the existence of a political and state formation led by Menumorut, who strongly fought against the Hungarian invasion. It must be mentioned that Menumorut’s centre of power, the fortress of Biharia, was 12 km away from Oradea.
Oradea, a major historical, cultural and tourism objective of Transylvania, is proud of its historical and architectural monuments of great value.
The Romano-Catholic Cathedral, illustrated on the postage stamp with the face value of lei 4.30, is the biggest Baroque-style church in the country, built in the second half of the 18th century. The statue of Saint Ladislaus stands in front of the Cathedral. The Episcopal Palace, a replica of the Belvedere Viennese Palace, is known to be the most representative monument in late Baroque style in our country.
The list of representative monuments also includes the “Assumption of the Virgin” Orthodox Cathedral, illustrated on the postage stamp with the face value of lei 2.10, also known as the Church with Moon, which was built during 1784-1790. An ingenious mechanism that is unique in Europe puts a sphere of the church tower into motion, indicating the moon phases. The Greek-Catholic Cathedral “Saint Nicholas”, and the Orthodox Synagogue, which was recently restored, are also important architectural landmarks.
Along these architectural monuments also stands the “Queen Marie” Theatre, illustrated on the postage stamp with the face value of lei 4.70, built in Eclectic style and inaugurated in 1900 and Oradea City Hall, built in the first years of the 20th century, illustrated on the postage stamp with the face value of lei 9.10.
Another important edifice and an emblem of the city, is the Black Hawk Palace, erected at the beginning of the 20th century in the Secession style.
On the 900th anniversary of the first documentary certification of the city of Oradea, Romfilatelia introduces into circulation a postage stamp issue dedicated to this event.
The philatelic album is created into a limited edition of 400 pcs. and is equipped with the block of the issue, numbered in red from 001 to 400 and having graphic elements in coloured and gold foil and a “first day” cover with the name of the issue imprinted in coloured foiling and the “first day” postmark clearly imprinted in gold foiling, numbered in black from 001 to 400.
