Piața Unirii (Union Square)
About Piața Unirii (Union Square)
Piața Unirii, Union Square, is the heart of Cluj and the place around which the medieval town grew: a wide square of more than 200 metres, paved with stone, with the Gothic St Michael's Church in the middle. In the Middle Ages it was called the Great Square (Piața Mare), at the beginning of the 20th century it was Mátyás király tér, "King Matthias Square", and Hungarians still call it Főtér, the "Main Square". For the people of Cluj it is simply "Centru": the meeting point, the place for a stroll and the stage for festivals and the Christmas market.
The square is dominated by the equestrian statue of Matthias Corvinus, the king born in Cluj. The bronze group, in which the king on horseback is surrounded by captains and soldiers of his army, is the work of the sculptor János Fadrusz, who worked on it between 1896 and 1902; the monument was unveiled in October 1902, and the sculptor died in 1903. In front of the statue, remains of the Roman town of Napoca have been brought to light, on which the present-day centre partly lies.
What you can see
In the middle rises St Michael's Church, with its 76-metre neo-Gothic tower, visible from all over the centre. On the east side stretches the Baroque façade of the Bánffy Palace, now the Art Museum, built between 1774 and 1785. The south side has the former town hall and the National Bank building, and the Continental Hotel stands in the south-west corner; the surrounding buildings also include the Jósika Palace. The façades, with columns, domes and stone window frames, gather noble palaces and town houses from several centuries.
The best spot for a photograph is in front of the statue, with the church behind it; in the evening, when the monument and the church are lit up, the square is at its liveliest.
Good to know
The square is open at any time, and the statue can be seen free of charge. On festival days and in winter, during the Christmas market, stages and stalls take up part of it. St Michael's Church and the Bánffy Palace have their own opening hours, described on their pages.
Information verified on 27 October 2026.
- The equestrian statue of Matthias Corvinus, the bronze group unveiled in 1902.
- The Gothic St Michael's Church, with its 76-metre tower in the middle of the square.
- The Baroque façade of the Bánffy Palace, on the east side.
- The statue and the church lit up in the evening, when the square is full of life.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the square is right in the centre of Cluj; from Avram Iancu airport it is ~9 km (~15 minutes) and from the railway station ~2.5 km. Traffic in the centre is heavy, and cars cannot enter the pedestrian part of the square: the easiest way is to leave the car in a nearby car park and continue on foot.
Public transport: the square is served by several CTP Cluj lines, with stops on its sides and on the surrounding streets; check the current routes on the CTP Cluj website. From the railway station you can also walk, in about 35 minutes.
- Where to park
The central part of the square is pedestrianised. Around the centre you park on the street, paid by zone, or in nearby public car parks; spaces fill up quickly at weekends, in summer and during events.
- Fees & discounts
The square is a public space with free access, and there is no charge.
- Rules
The square is a public space: photography is free. The statue is a historic monument, so the plinth and the sculptures must not be climbed. On event days, areas fenced off or occupied by a stage may be closed to access.
- Facilities
Cafés, restaurants and terraces around the square · benches · pedestrianised square, paved with stone
Frequently asked questions about Piața Unirii (Union Square)
- How much is a ticket to Piața Unirii (Union Square)?
- Admission to Piața Unirii (Union Square) is free (public square, statue in plain view). The square is a public space with free access, and there is no charge.
- What are the opening hours of Piața Unirii (Union Square)?
- Opening hours at Piața Unirii (Union Square): daily open 24 hours. The square is accessible at any time. St Michael's Church and the Bánffy Palace (Art Museum) have their own opening hours, on their own pages.
- How long does a visit to Piața Unirii (Union Square) take?
- A visit to Piața Unirii (Union Square) takes about 30 min (without the church and the museum).
- Can you visit Piața Unirii (Union Square) with kids?
- Yes, Piața Unirii (Union Square) is suitable for children (wide, pedestrianised square).
- Where can I park at Piața Unirii (Union Square)?
- There is paid parking at Piața Unirii (Union Square) (on the street, around the centre). The central part of the square is pedestrianised. Around the centre you park on the street, paid by zone, or in nearby public car parks; spaces fill up quickly at weekends, in summer and during events.
- How do I get to Piața Unirii (Union Square)?
- Piața Unirii (Union Square) is located at Piața Unirii, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj County. By car: the square is right in the centre of Cluj; from Avram Iancu airport it is ~9 km (~15 minutes) and from the railway station ~2.5 km. Traffic in the centre is heavy, and cars cannot enter the pedestrian part of the square: the easiest way is to leave the car in a nearby car park and continue on foot. Public transport: the square is served by several CTP Cluj lines, with stops on its sides and on the surrounding streets; check the current routes on the CTP Cluj website. From the railway station you can also walk, in about 35 minutes.
- When is the best time to visit Piața Unirii (Union Square)?
- The best season for Piața Unirii (Union Square): All year round (Christmas market in winter).
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