Timisoara (Hungarian Temesvár), city in western Romania, capital of Timis County, on the Begej River and Begej Canal. The city consists of an inner town, which formerly was fortified, and four suburbs that are separated from the inner town by parks. Timisoara is a commercial center and one of the largest cities in Romania. The principal industries include oil refining and the manufacture of machinery, textiles, electrical appliances, and chemicals. The city has a university, founded in 1962, and a polytechnic institute. Buildings of interest include an 18th-century castle, a museum, town hall, county hall, and a Greek Orthodox cathedral. A Gothic column in the main square of the city was erected in 1851 by Francis Joseph I, emperor of Austria, to commemorate the resistance of Timisoara during a 107-day siege by the Hungarian revolutionary army in 1849. The city has a significant Hungarian population.
Of ancient origin, the city became part of Hungary in 1010. During the 16th century it was captured by the Ottoman Turks, and in 1716 it was recaptured by Eugene, prince of Savoy. The Treaty of Passarowitz formally restored it to Austria in 1718. In 1920 it passed to Romania by the Treaty of Trianon. In December 1989 anti-government protests in Timisoara began the national uprising against President Nicolae Ceausescu, who was excecuted later that month. Population (1997 estimate) 332,277.
