Metropolitan Cathedral of the Three Holy Hierarchs
Timișoara, Timiș County · Banat
About Metropolitan Cathedral of the Three Holy Hierarchs
At a glance: Monasteries and churches in Timișoara, Timiș County. Ticket: Free. The visit takes 30 min. Information verified on 8 October 2026.
At the northern end of Victory Square, closing the view from the Opera, stands the largest church in Timișoara. The plans are by the architect Ion Traianescu, who won the competition in 1934, and the foundation stone was blessed in 1936. Work went slowly, interrupted by the war, and was essentially finished in 1941; the consecration took place on 6 October 1946, in the presence of Patriarch Nicodim and King Michael. It is dedicated to the Three Holy Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom.
The model is the Moldavian churches of the age of Stephen the Great: brick façades in alternating courses, arcades, niches and the look of a "fortress" rising above the square. The main tower is about 83 m high to the roof (around 90 m with the cross), and the glazed-tile roofing, in lively colours, can be seen from far away. The capacity is estimated at about 5,000 worshippers, and the seven bells can be heard across the whole centre.
What you can see
You enter through a porch with arches, and inside the space opens up under a high dome with Christ Pantocrator at its centre. The wall paintings are by Anastase Demian, in the Byzantine tradition, and the marble floor is laid out in geometric patterns. The gilded iconostasis and the large chandelier in the nave give the interior its dominant colour. In one corner of the cathedral are kept the relics of Saint Joseph the New of Partoș, protector of the Banat, brought here from Partoș Monastery in 1956 and venerated by pilgrims every day.
In the basement is the Museum of the Metropolitan Cathedral, with more than 1,200 rare pieces: icons on wood and on glass, old church books, liturgical objects and a lapidary of funerary stones. The crypt of the hierarchs is there too, with the tombs of the metropolitans of the Banat.
Good to know
In December 1989 the cathedral steps were the site of a gathering during the Timișoara Revolution; people were killed there, among them three of those gathered on the steps. It is a working cathedral, with services every day. The museum's opening hours are not published on the official website: check on site.
- The main tower, about 83 m high, and the glazed-tile roofs, seen from the end of Victory Square.
- The Pantocrator in the dome and the wall paintings by Anastase Demian.
- The relics of Saint Joseph the New of Partoș, protector of the Banat.
- The basement museum, with icons on wood and glass, old books and a lapidary.
- The crypt of the metropolitans of the Banat, under the altar.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Timișoara is on the A1, about 165 km from Arad (~1h40 by motorway and national road), ~300 km from Bucharest and ~540 km from Cluj-Napoca. The cathedral is in the historic centre, at the northern end of Victory Square, on Bulevardul Regele Ferdinand I; some streets in the central zone have restricted car access.
Public transport: the North Station is about 1.5 km away (≈20 minutes on foot, or a few stops by tram or trolleybus towards the centre). From Victory Square or Union Square it is a 5–10 minute walk.
- Where to park
The cathedral has no car park of its own for visitors. Park on the surrounding streets, in the paid zones of the centre (pay at the meter or through an app), or in the underground and multi-storey car parks nearby. On feast days and during events in Victory Square spaces fill up quickly.
- Fees & discounts
Entry to the cathedral is free. For the Cathedral Museum in the basement we found no published ticket price: ask at the entrance. Candles and prayer lists are paid for at the church shop, as you wish.
- Rules
This is a working cathedral: modest dress (shoulders and knees covered, men bareheaded), quiet, no food or drink. Do not take photos during services and do not walk around the nave; at other times, ask whether photos are allowed inside.
- Facilities
church shop with candles and religious items · museum in the basement · wide steps at the entrance (access with a pushchair is difficult) · cafés, restaurants and public toilets in Victory Square, a few steps away · good mobile signal
Frequently asked questions about Metropolitan Cathedral of the Three Holy Hierarchs
- How much is a ticket to Metropolitan Cathedral of the Three Holy Hierarchs?
- Admission to Metropolitan Cathedral of the Three Holy Hierarchs is free. Entry to the cathedral is free. For the Cathedral Museum in the basement we found no published ticket price: ask at the entrance. Candles and prayer lists are paid for at the church shop, as you wish.
- How long does a visit to Metropolitan Cathedral of the Three Holy Hierarchs take?
- A visit to Metropolitan Cathedral of the Three Holy Hierarchs takes about 30 min (the church only; +30 min with the museum).
- Can you visit Metropolitan Cathedral of the Three Holy Hierarchs with kids?
- Yes, Metropolitan Cathedral of the Three Holy Hierarchs is suitable for children (wide steps at the entrance).
- Where can I park at Metropolitan Cathedral of the Three Holy Hierarchs?
- There is paid parking at Metropolitan Cathedral of the Three Holy Hierarchs (centre, paid zone). The cathedral has no car park of its own for visitors. Park on the surrounding streets, in the paid zones of the centre (pay at the meter or through an app), or in the underground and multi-storey car parks nearby. On feast days and during events in Victory Square spaces fill up quickly.
- How do I get to Metropolitan Cathedral of the Three Holy Hierarchs?
- Metropolitan Cathedral of the Three Holy Hierarchs is located at Bulevardul Regele Ferdinand I, at the end of Victory Square, Timișoara, Timiș County. By car: Timișoara is on the A1, about 165 km from Arad (~1h40 by motorway and national road), ~300 km from Bucharest and ~540 km from Cluj-Napoca. The cathedral is in the historic centre, at the northern end of Victory Square, on Bulevardul Regele Ferdinand I; some streets in the central zone have restricted car access. Public transport: the North Station is about 1.5 km away (≈20 minutes on foot, or a few stops by tram or trolleybus towards the centre). From Victory Square or Union Square it is a 5–10 minute walk.
- When is the best time to visit Metropolitan Cathedral of the Three Holy Hierarchs?
- The best season for Metropolitan Cathedral of the Three Holy Hierarchs: All year round (lovely in the evening, when lit).
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