Timișoara, The Romano-Catholic Dome

GPS Coordinates:
45.75816 N, 21.23001 E

After more than 700 years, in 1733, the residence of the Romano-Catholic bishops was moved from Cenad to Timișoara, where the first cathedral became the church of the Jesuitical monks.

The plan of the present dome was realized in Baroque style in Vienna, under the guidance of the architect Josef Emanuel Fischer von Erlach, in other opinions by Johann Jakob Schelblauer, the technical councilor of Vienna. The founding stone was set down in 1736 and the workings started in 1738.

Because of the marshland the cathedral was built on wooden pillars. It has a length of 55 m, it is 22 m wide, the height of the nave is of 16,90 m while that of the towers 35, 5 m.The first bells were flushed in 1763, the clock was mounted in 1764. The workings were finished in 1774.

Through Maria Tereza empress`s order the dome has gained the title of the first church in Timișoara, in 1756. Between 1788-1790, during the struggles between the Ottomans and the Austrians, it became a salt store. In the siege of 1849 the edifice was gravely damaged. Amid its walls an artwork of the painter Michelangelo Unterberger is kept, illustrating Saint George on horseback, fighting with the dragon (1754). It was him who painted the altars of Stephansdome from Vienna as well. The dome has six lateral altars effectuated by the German painter Johann Adam Schopf.

As a sign of gratitude for the lent support, the two great statues from the main altar represent the patron saints Carol VI. and Maria Tereza. The first Baroque organ was built in 1767 by the Viennese Paul Hanke, while the present one in Timișoara in 1908.

Open hours:

Monday-Sunday

Contact:

Tel: 0040-256-430-671

You can speak with us in:

Romanian, Hungarian

Share The Romano-Catholic Dome, Timișoara·