It is the one place in town where you can walk through an Art Nouveau house furnished as in the early 20th century.
About the place
The house was built for Imre Darvas, an industrialist who logged forests in Bihor with the Swiss banker Alfred La Roche. The building is L-shaped, with the main front on Strada Iosif Vulcan and terraces stepping down towards the Crișul Repede; the wing with a garage and offices was added in 1912. The grey facade is studded with glazed ceramic buttons from the Zsolnay factory in Pécs. Under communism the house was nationalised and used by the FC Bihor football club.
Today the house is run by the Oradea Heritage foundation. The 'La Belle Époque' exhibition recreates the rooms of a well-off family: furniture, stained glass, decorative objects and period clothes. Tickets cost 20 lei for adults and 10 lei for children, pupils, students and pensioners; children under 7 go in free. It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm.
Good to know
- The ticket desk closes 30 minutes before 6 pm.
- Entry is free on 1 October, International Art Nouveau Day, and on 12 October, Oradea Day.
- Leave time for the garden and the shop at the entrance.
Opening hours
| Monday | Închis |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10–18 |
| Wednesday | 10–18 |
| Thursday | 10–18 |
| Friday | 10–18 |
| Saturday | 10–18 |
| Sunday | 10–18 |
Hours may change on public holidays. Check before you go.