Traian Square (Piața Traian)
About Traian Square (Piața Traian)
Traian Square (Piața Traian) is the central square of Fabric, the historic district of Timișoara. It was laid out in the 1740s by military engineers as a smaller replica of Union Square: at first a rectangle of about 115 by 70 metres, where the daily market and the weekly fairs were held. Until around 1900 Fabric was largely independent of the centre, and the square was its commercial heart, with shoppers from Timișoara, from Transylvania and even from the Ottoman Empire.
Under the Austrian Empire it was called Hauptplatz, then Fő tér, and from the mid-1890s Kossuth tér, after Lajos Kossuth, who died in 1894. Its present name dates from 1919. The square is part of the "Fabric" urban site, a historic monument.
What you can see
Two monuments stand in the square: the obelisk (pyramid) with a cross, raised in 1774 by Stojša Spasojević, a senior Timișoara official, and a large stone bell, the work of the sculptor Ștefan Călărășanu, dedicated to the 1989 Revolution. At the edge of the square stands the Serbian Church of St George, a historic monument from the 18th century: a church with a single nave, a polygonal apse and a bell tower above a porch open on the west side. Next to it is the Palace of the Serbian Community, built in 1895 in the Second Empire style, with neo-Baroque elements.
The Mercur Palace, at number 2, received its occupancy permit in April 1909. Its Secession facade has floral ornaments set in geometric shapes, and at the corner facing the square, on the roof, stands a bronze statue of the god Mercury on a globe, a copy of Giambologna's Flying Mercury. The rest of the square is a row of buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, in different styles.
Good to know
Since March 2026 the square has been a site of urban regeneration run by Timișoara City Hall, in six stages and lasting an estimated 24 months (completion planned for spring 2028): new natural-stone paving, new underground networks, hundreds of trees and a modernised tram line. Access to the surface of the square is restricted in stages, and the buildings are best seen from the surrounding streets.
Information verified on 29 October 2026.
- The Serbian Church of St George, an 18th-century historic monument, with a bell tower above the west porch.
- The obelisk with a cross from 1774, raised by Stojša Spasojević.
- The stone bell dedicated to the 1989 Revolution, by the sculptor Ștefan Călărășanu.
- The Mercur Palace of 1909, with the bronze statue of the god Mercury at the corner of the roof.
- The Palace of the Serbian Community of 1895, in the Second Empire style, with neo-Baroque elements.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Traian Square is in the Fabric district, ~2.5 km from Union Square and ~5 km (~10 minutes) from Gara de Nord. From Arad you arrive on the A1, ~60 km (~50 minutes), and from Cluj-Napoca it is ~310 km (~3 hours 40 minutes). While the works last, traffic around the square is diverted and restricted in stages.
Public transport: the area is served by trams and buses, but the routes have been changed for the duration of the works, and the tram does not run through the square until they are finished; check the current routes on the website of the city's public transport operator. Traian Vuia airport is ~20 km away. Nearby, also in Fabric, is the Fabric Synagogue.
- Where to park
You cannot park in the square. The spaces on the surrounding streets change as the works advance in stages, so follow the signs; it is safer to leave the car further away and continue on foot or by public transport.
- Fees & discounts
Entry to the square is free. The church and the surrounding buildings have their own rules and, where applicable, opening hours.
- Rules
Public space: respect the fences and signs of the building site and do not enter closed areas. Dress decently to enter the church, and during services visit discreetly.
- Facilities
Shops, cafés and services in the buildings around the square · pedestrian space with benches and trees, being laid out
Frequently asked questions about Traian Square (Piața Traian)
How much is a ticket to Traian Square (Piața Traian)?
Admission to Traian Square (Piața Traian) is free (public space). More under “Fees & discounts”
How long does a visit to Traian Square (Piața Traian) take?
A visit to Traian Square (Piața Traian) takes about 30 min (not counting the surrounding churches).
Can you visit Traian Square (Piața Traian) with kids?
Yes, Traian Square (Piața Traian) is suitable for children (wide open space, no playground).
Where can I park at Traian Square (Piața Traian)?
Traian Square (Piața Traian) has no parking of its own (no parking in the square). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Traian Square (Piața Traian)?
Traian Square (Piața Traian) is located at Piața Traian, Fabric, Timișoara, Timiș County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Traian Square (Piața Traian)?
The best season for Traian Square (Piața Traian): All year round (short visit, in any season).
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