CEU eTD Collection (2025); Matei, Flavia: The Art Nouveau Palaces of Oradea: A Jewish Innovation of Yesterday, a Common Heritage of Today

CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2025
Author Matei, Flavia
Title The Art Nouveau Palaces of Oradea: A Jewish Innovation of Yesterday, a Common Heritage of Today
Summary Oradea developed into one of the major touristic attractions in Romania, a circumstance largely attributable to its captivating architecture, particularly its Art Nouveau (Secession) palaces from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These buildings were once carriers of a distinct Jewish influence since many of the designers or initial owners who brought these structures to life were Jewish. In this thesis, I draw attention to this influence found in the city’s Art Nouveau (Secession) palaces using data from historical documents, academic literature, interviews, and fieldwork as a tour guide. I blend the historical background of these buildings with real-life stories of their inhabitants. Based on these fieldwork findings, I suggest a walking tour promoting the city’s architecture and history. It is my conviction that only knowledge can prevent another Holocaust and that we need to enhance the public’s understanding of the Jewish contribution to common life in the past and the present day.
Supervisor Choyke, Alice Mathea; Wilke, Carsten L.
Department History MA
Full texthttps://www.etd.ceu.edu/2025/matei_flavia.pdf

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