Oradea

Industrial city in Romania, on the River Koös; population (1993) 222,000. Industries include agricultural machinery, chemicals, non-ferrous metallurgy, leather goods, printing, glass, textiles, clothing, and brewing.

Created the seat of a bishopric by St Ladislas 1083, Oradea was destroyed by the Turks 1241 and rebuilt. Many of its buildings date from the reign of Maria Theresa in the 18th century. It was ceded by Hungary to Romania 1919 and held by Hungary 1940–45.