Bihor county provides a splash of color thanks to its grand Art Nouveau buildings. You walk through **Oradea** where the Black Eagle Palace features a stunning glass ceiling with a bird motif. The city center feels like a giant art gallery with pastel pink and blue facades. It is a fresh and lively place with many outdoor cafes along the **Crișul Repede** river. You can feel the western energy in the renovated Union Square. Relax your muscles in the hot pools of **Băile Felix**. Steam rises from the water even when the weather is cool because the springs are naturally 40 degrees. Rare thermal lotus flowers grow in the warm ponds nearby. It is a top choice for a day of rest on your road trip. The water comes from deep underground and is famous for healing tired joints. The landscape turns rocky as you head toward the mountains. You find deep caves like the **Bears' Cave**, which holds the skeletons of cave bears that died 15,000 years ago. The path inside is easy to walk and features giant pillars of stone. It is a wild world that stays hidden from the sun. The silence inside is only broken by the sound of ancient water.

Bihor (county) highlights

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The Scenic Route

The Heritage Drive

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History of Bihor (county)

Bihor is the western star of the land and a gateway to the spectacular underground world of the Apuseni. The region has been a melting pot of cultures since the Romans first built their stone forts to guard the passage into the Transylvanian plateau. The city of Oradea flourished under the Austro-Hungarian Empire becoming a masterpiece of Art Nouveau architecture with colorful palaces that rival those of Budapest or Prague. This historical wealth was fueled by the fertile plains and the strategic trade routes that connected Central Europe to the eastern markets. The history of the county is literally etched into the limestone beneath the surface. It holds the highest concentration of caves in the country including the Bear’s Cave where the skeletal remains of prehistoric cave bears were found perfectly preserved for thousands of years. The local rivers like the Crișul Repede have carved deep and dramatic gorges that served as natural barriers for the medieval citadels. You can explore the ruins of the Oradea Fortress which was a five-pointed star designed to survive the most advanced artillery sieges of the 17th century. Driving through the county takes you from the elegant urban boulevards to the steaming thermal springs of Felix and 1 Mai. These waters have been used for healing since the medieval period and are powered by a unique geothermal energy that keeps the local lilies blooming even in winter. The local villages in the Beiuș area are famous for their traditional wooden houses and the white-on-white embroidery that is unique to the region. Bihor is a journey through the luxury of the Belle Époque and the raw primordial power of the hidden mountain chambers.

Bihor (county)

Bihor (county) highlights

Part of these road trips

History of Bihor (county)

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