# Roman Catholic Dome of St George

[Romania](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/attractions) › [Banat](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/region/banat) › [Timiș County](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/county/timis) › [Timișoara](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/city/timisoara)

> The Baroque cathedral of the Catholic bishopric of Timișoara, built between 1736 and 1774 on Union Square; restored with EU funds and reopened in April 2023, with the bishops' crypt under the altar.

**At a glance:** Monasteries and churches in Timișoara, Timiș County. The visit takes 30 min. Information verified on 8 October 2026.

## Key facts

- **Opening hours:** Visiting hours are not published on the diocese's official website; confirm with the secretariat before you go (0256 490081). Masses are held in Romanian, German and Hungarian (the times are not posted on the official site), and there are no visits during services. The crypt is not permanently open, only on request. The restoration works ended in 2023.
- **Visit duration:** 30 min — longer with the crypt
- **With kids:** Yes
- **Parking:** Yes, paid — in the centre, paid zone
- **Best season:** All year round — the interior, all year
- **Address:** Piața Unirii no. 12, Timișoara, Timiș County
- **Coordinates:** 45.75813, 21.2304
- **Phone:** +40 256 490081
- **Website:** https://gerhardus.ro/institutii-centrale/catedrala-romano-catolica-sf-gheorghe-din-timisoara/
- **Wikipedia:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._George_Cathedral,_Timi%C8%99oara
- **Wikidata:** https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1062101
- **Categories:** [Monasteries and churches](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/manastiri-si-biserici), [Monuments and historic sites](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/monumente-si-situri-istorice)

## About Roman Catholic Dome of St George

The Dome can be seen from anywhere in Union Square: two low towers with copper domes and clocks, and a façade of pilasters and golden window frames. It is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic bishopric of Timișoara, dedicated to St George, and one of the most unified Baroque buildings in the Banat. The foundation stone was laid in 1736, in Habsburg times, on marshy ground, and work went on in two phases, 1736–1751 and 1755–1774. The plans are attributed to the Viennese architect Joseph Emanuel Fischer von Erlach, but there is no direct evidence; contemporary sources name the Viennese councillor Johann Jakob Schellbauer. The first Mass was held in 1754, before the church was finished, and the solemn consecration took place only on 24 April 1803. Since 1930 it has been the cathedral of the new Diocese of Timișoara.

The towers stayed low because the church was built next to the fortress wall. Between 2019 and 2023 it went through a major restoration, costing over 5 million euros, with EU funds, and when it reopened in April 2023 the façades had been redone, the interior cleaned, and the crypt, joinery and stained glass restored.

### What you can see

Inside, the wide nave is divided by piers with pink pilasters, and at the far end stands the high altar, with Michelangelo Unterberger's painting of 1754: St George on horseback, fighting the dragon. On either side of the altar are statues of St Charles Borromeo and St Teresa of Ávila, made by the Viennese sculptor Johann Josef Rössler. The aisles have Baroque and Rococo altars, carved pews and silver lamps, among them the eternal light.

Under the altar is the crypt, where the bishops of Cenad and Timișoara, canons and officers of the fortress are buried; the last bishop interred there is Sebastian Kräuter, in 2008. The crypt is not permanently open and is shown on request. The Wegenstein organ, built in Timișoara in the early 20th century, is used for concerts, among them those of the "Orgile Cetății" festival in summer.

### Good to know

The Dome is a working cathedral rather than a parish church: Masses are held in Romanian, German and Hungarian, and at services with the bishop parts are also heard in Latin or other languages. Visiting hours are not published on the diocese's website; if you want to go in, look for a time outside services or call the secretariat.

## Don't miss

- The high altar, with Michelangelo Unterberger's painting of 1754: St George on horseback, fighting the dragon.
- The Baroque façade with two low towers and copper domes, seen from the middle of Union Square.
- The crypt of the bishops of Cenad and Timișoara under the altar, shown on request.
- The statues of St Charles Borromeo and St Teresa of Ávila beside the altar.
- The organ concerts, especially those of the "Orgile Cetății" festival in summer.

## Good to know before you go

### Getting there

**By car:** Timișoara is on the A1, ~55 km from Arad (~45 minutes) and ~60 km from Lugoj (~45 minutes). The Dome stands in the middle of Union Square, in the Cetate district, opposite the Baroque Palace (the Art Museum); the same square also has the Serbian Cathedral, so do not mistake it for the Dome. The centre has a pedestrian zone and limited access for cars.

**Public transport:** Timișoara Nord railway station is ~2 km away, about 25 minutes on foot or a few stops on the tram. From Victory Square it is a few minutes' walk along the pedestrian streets towards Union Square.

### Where to park

In the centre and around Union Square parking is paid, and spaces fill up quickly at weekends and in the evening. The easiest way is to leave the car in a nearby car park and walk; I found no tariffs published by the diocese.

### Rules

This is the working cathedral of the diocese: modest dress, quiet, and no visits during Mass. Photography rules are not published; ask at the entrance before using flash or a tripod.

### Facilities

wheelchair access improved during the restoration · 3D virtual tour on domtimisoara.ro · cafés and restaurants on Union Square · good mobile signal

## Details

- **Construction period:** 1736–1774
- **Dedication:** St George
- **Denomination:** Roman Catholic
- **Architectural style:** Baroque
- **Historical period:** Habsburg era

## Frequently asked questions about Roman Catholic Dome of St George

**How long does a visit to Roman Catholic Dome of St George take?**

A visit to Roman Catholic Dome of St George takes about 30 min (longer with the crypt).

**Can you visit Roman Catholic Dome of St George with kids?**

Yes, Roman Catholic Dome of St George is suitable for children.

**Where can I park at Roman Catholic Dome of St George?**

There is paid parking at Roman Catholic Dome of St George (in the centre, paid zone). In the centre and around Union Square parking is paid, and spaces fill up quickly at weekends and in the evening. The easiest way is to leave the car in a nearby car park and walk; I found no tariffs published by the diocese.

**How do I get to Roman Catholic Dome of St George?**

Roman Catholic Dome of St George is located at Piața Unirii no. 12, Timișoara, Timiș County. By car: Timișoara is on the A1, ~55 km from Arad (~45 minutes) and ~60 km from Lugoj (~45 minutes). The Dome stands in the middle of Union Square, in the Cetate district, opposite the Baroque Palace (the Art Museum); the same square also has the Serbian Cathedral, so do not mistake it for the Dome. The centre has a pedestrian zone and limited access for cars. Public transport: Timișoara Nord railway station is ~2 km away, about 25 minutes on foot or a few stops on the tram. From Victory Square it is a few minutes' walk along the pedestrian streets towards Union Square.

**When is the best time to visit Roman Catholic Dome of St George?**

The best season for Roman Catholic Dome of St George: All year round (the interior, all year).

## Nearby attractions

- [Union Square (Piața Unirii)](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/piata-unirii-timisoara) — Monuments and historic sites · Timișoara, TM · Free · ½ – 1 hours · 0 km
  Timișoara's oldest square, about 150 by 110 metres, laid out in the Baroque style around the Roman Catholic Cathedral, the Serbian Cathedral and the Plague Column, among colourful houses from the 18th to the 20th centuries.
- [National Museum of Art Timișoara](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/muzeul-de-arta-timisoara) — Museums and memorial houses · Timișoara, TM · 1 – 1½ hours · 0 km
  The museum in the Baroque Palace on Union Square holds old European painting, Banat and Romanian art and the Corneliu Baba collection, in a building begun in 1754.
- [Memorial of the December 1989 Revolution](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/memorialul-revolutiei-timisoara) — Museums and memorial houses · Timișoara, TM · 20 lei · 1 – 1½ hours · 0 km
  The museum of the Memorial of the Revolution Association, in a former military building in Timișoara: clothes and flags from the days of December 1989, a chapel of the hero-martyrs and the only section of the Berlin Wall in Romania.
- [Maria Theresia Bastion](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/bastionul-maria-theresia) — Fortresses and fortifications · Timișoara, TM · 40 lei · 1 – 1½ hours · 0 km
  The largest surviving piece of Timișoara's bastioned fortress, built by the Austrians in the 1730s and restored with EU funds, now home to the National Museum of Banat.
- [Huniade Castle](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/castelul-huniade-timisoara) — Castles and palaces · Timișoara, TM · 20 min · 1 km
  The oldest building in Timișoara, a royal residence in the Middle Ages and the historic home of the Banat Museum; closed for restoration and visible from the outside only.
- [Victory Square (Piața Victoriei)](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/piata-victoriei-timisoara) — Monuments and historic sites · Timișoara, TM · Free · 45 min · 1 km
  Timișoara's pedestrian esplanade between the Opera in the Palace of Culture and the Metropolitan Cathedral, lined with the Corso palaces and the place where Timișoara was declared the first free city in December 1989.

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Last updated: 8 October 2026
Source: Pe Plaiuri (https://peplaiuri.ro/en) — Guide to tourist attractions in Romania