Bihor County is an unexpected treasure of our country: from medieval fortresses that shaped kings, to modest churches built out of gratitude and fortifications hiding untold secrets, Bihor invites you on a journey beyond the usual tourist routes. We invite you to step into this fascinating mosaic, where cultural heritage and local craftsmanship meet a soulful gastronomy, transforming a simple visit into an authentic immersion in the heart of Western Transylvania.

A deserted church briefly shelters and gives rise to another that endures for centuries—this is how the moving story of Tilecuș Church begins. Built in 1783 from oak by brothers Vasile and Toader Indrieș, who came down from the mountains with tubs in exchange for wheat, the church has a story steeped in legend. It is said that Filimon Gligor, a Romanian fugitive from the Austro-Hungarian army, hid in the old earthen chapel, and in gratitude for the villagers’ help, left a hundred gold florins to build a new church—an imposing structure with a Gothic spire, a twisted decorative band, and treasures that still shine through time. Read the full story here.

The most heartfelt story of Bihor County is its gastronomy: traditions, culture, and nature intertwine in an authentic culinary experience, from tasting pálinka and steaming pastries to traditional dishes like goulash or the Slovak mushroom soup, Hribovica. Visit the Pálinka House in Tulca, the Salonta Summer Garden, or the Slavia restaurant, and in Oradea, enjoy exceptional culinary journeys at La Nuci and To Chefs. The Huta Slavia complex in Șinteu offers not only culinary experiences but also a chance to explore Slovak history through blacksmithing and glassmaking workshops, while events such as the Cabbage Roll Festival and cooking competitions bring the local community together. More delicious details here.

Nestled in the spectacular landscape of Vida Lake, known for its chameleon-like waters, a wooden church built in 1725 rises on a steep hill, quietly overlooking the ancient cemetery of Luncasprie village. This architectural gem, a silent witness to history, holds a nearly three-century-old story, beginning with its modest construction and anonymous painting in 1769, traces of which remain only on the royal and deacon doors, moved to the new church for preservation. The church invites visitors to experience the solitude and authenticity of a monument that still whispers its mysteries through its aged wood. Read the full story here.

As a Renaissance emblem of Oradea, the bastion fortress reveals its story through its five towers, yet none captivates the imagination like the Gilded Bastion, whose name derives from an architectural legend: it is said that its original roof was covered with gold leaf, turning this corner of the fortress into a beacon visible from afar. This bastion, along with the others, overlooked an ingenious defensive ditch, 4 meters deep and 50 meters wide, filled with a mix of thermal water from Peța Stream and cold water from the Crișul Repede River—a military engineering strategy designed to prevent freezing and ensure the fortress’s defense throughout the winter, regardless of sieges or harsh weather. Read more here.

The impressive Biharia Fortress, an early earthen fortification extending over a hundred meters on each side, transcends its status as a mere defensive ruin, becoming the cradle of a key figure in Hungarian history: Saint Ladislaus. Here, in the ducal court of his father, King Béla I, the young Ladislaus spent 14 formative years, receiving an education and piety nurtured by his mother, Princess Richeza, and the local clergy. This vast duchy, inhabited by Turkish cavalry warriors and serving as a “school for monarchs,” prepared the young prince not only for governance but also for leading heroic campaigns against the Cumans and Pechenegs, turning the fortress into a strategic site that shaped the future king and his special attachment to Bihor lands. Discover the story through the fortress’s multimedia materials here.

From the military innovation of the Gilded Bastion in Oradea Fortress and the “school for monarchs” role of Biharia Fortress in shaping Saint Ladislaus, to the architectural wonder of Luncasprie’s wooden church and the moving tale of the protective Tilecuș Church, Bihor proves itself a living treasure. These stories, enriched by a rich tradition and the authentic taste of local gastronomy, highlight the uniqueness of this region. We invite you to visit Bihor not just as a spectator, but to become part of the unwritten story of these places, where past and present meet at every step.