Arad Administrative Palace
About Arad Administrative Palace
The Administrative Palace, which the people of Arad simply call the City Hall, closes Bulevardul Revoluției on the side facing the Mureș. It was built between 1872 and 1875, and the tower and the ceremonial hall were inaugurated in January 1877, on the site of the city's former salt depot. The original design was by the Budapest architect Ödön Lechner, winner of a competition with 17 entries; for financial reasons the plan was simplified and completed by the Arad architect Ferenc Pekár, so the second floor remained only under the tower.
The style is eclectic, with neo-Renaissance touches, and the tower recalls Flemish town halls. The façades are regular, set off by arched windows and classical ornaments, and the plan of the building is shaped like a U. The clock in the tower was brought from Switzerland in 1878 and still works today. The building is a listed historic monument (LMI code AR-II-m-B-00548) and still houses Arad City Hall and the Prefect's Office.
What you can see
What you can see freely, from the square and from the boulevard, is the exterior: the 54 m tower, with clock faces on every side, the central block with the pediment bearing the city's coat of arms and the name ARAD, the ground-floor arcades, above which runs the inscription "Via veritas vita", and the corner pavilions with their sloping roofs.
The interior is a public institution and is not open to free visits, but the City Hall receives visitors on request. In the main hall are the Murano glass stained-glass windows by the Arad artist Sever Frențiu, designed in the 1960s and made in 1977, and under the tower is the ceremonial hall.
Good to know
The building is the seat of the City Hall and the Prefecture, so it has no visiting hours for the interior: a visit inside is arranged beforehand with the City Hall. The façade and the tower can be seen at any time from the square.
Information verified on 28 October 2026.
- The 54 m tower, with clock faces on every side and the clock brought from Switzerland in 1878.
- The central block of the façade, with ground-floor arcades, a pediment with the city's coat of arms and the inscription "Via veritas vita".
- The silhouette of the building seen from the square on Bulevardul Revoluției, with the tower above the roofs.
- The Murano glass stained-glass windows by Sever Frențiu in the main hall, on interior visits.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the palace is in the centre of Arad, at Bulevardul Revoluției no. 75; it is ~55 km (~50 minutes) from Timișoara and ~115 km (~2 hours) from Oradea. In the centre it is easiest to leave the car in a car park nearby and walk.
Public transport: the centre of Arad is served by trams and buses, and from the stops in the centre you can walk there in a few minutes.
- Where to park
Parking in central Arad is paid, by zone; on event days in the square the spaces around fill up fast, and from a car park further away you can walk there in a few minutes.
- Fees & discounts
The exterior can be seen free, from the square and the boulevard.
- Rules
The interior is a public institution: a visit is announced beforehand to the City Hall and the building's access rules apply. The exterior can be photographed freely from the square.
- Facilities
The square in front of the building, with benches and green spaces · Cafés and restaurants on Bulevardul Revoluției
Frequently asked questions about Arad Administrative Palace
How much is a ticket to Arad Administrative Palace?
Admission to Arad Administrative Palace is free (the exterior can be seen free). More under “Fees & discounts”
How long does a visit to Arad Administrative Palace take?
A visit to Arad Administrative Palace takes about 20 min (façade, tower and square).
Can you visit Arad Administrative Palace with kids?
Yes, Arad Administrative Palace is suitable for children (seen from the square).
Where can I park at Arad Administrative Palace?
There is paid parking at Arad Administrative Palace (central zone, paid). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Arad Administrative Palace?
Arad Administrative Palace is located at Bulevardul Revoluției 75, Arad, Arad County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Arad Administrative Palace?
The best season for Arad Administrative Palace: All year round (by day, façade in the sun).
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