In my strollings through Timisoara city I have encountered the historical monuments founded down town or close to the center. Among these historical objectives out of common are the traces of the strongest Timisoara’s fortifications. They are defense works that have undergone many stages of development.
Many tourists who visit a new place they are attracted by the fortresses, forts and defense towers of that locality, whether they are just ruins or that the buildings are kept intact or rebuilt. The town on the River Bega retains a fortified residence-castle and only a bastion from the former strong fortress in shape of a star from the 18th century.
The fortress or the city itself numbered only a few houses and an old citadel in the Turkish domination. When Eugene of Savoy had conquered the town in 1718, he set up large fortifications and the city soon emerged so much that it became a free city in 1782.
Three rows of walls and water ditches had surrounded the city, with three portals Vienna Gate, Petrovaradin Gate and Transylvania Gate were defended by strong forts. They were closed by night. Only the Petrovaradin Gate remains open for two more hours. The streets are wide, well-paved and lighted having canals.
A water pipe brings good drinking water. Forts can accommodate 3000 people - wrote the traveler Adolf Schmidl in 1835.
