Welcome to Arad ! It gives me great pleasure to invite you to a virtual walk through the city of Arad . It is an invitation to make acquaintance with a city that honors its gateway status in Romania , a European city that you define multiculturalism and harmony . DURING the walks you can discover the beauty of the first built heritage , illustrating a valuable part of the historical and cultural traditions of the city. Proud rich past and dynamic present , Arad is equally confident in the future , decided to capitalize on strengths and unique charm that reveals step by step and finally conquering all who come to visit us . Gheorghe Falca - Mayor of Arad The average altitude is 107 m and the distance from Bucharest , the capital, is about 600km . The town is populated mostly by Romanian ( 78.77 %), followed by Hungarians (9.67 % ) , the rest being Germans ( Swabians ) , Slovaks , Serbs, Roma , etc. . Most inhabitants are Orthodox ( 68.41 % ) , followed by the Roman Catholic ( 9.37 % ) , Pentecostal (4.34 % ) , Baptist (3.92 % ) , Reformed (2, The presence of archaeological traces show a permanent residence in this area since 40,000 years ago . In the Middle Ages it was a modest Romanian settlement , rural , located in mastering powerful Cistercian abbey in Orod , village which existed until 1551, when it was destroyed by Turks , 12 km east of Arad , Vladimirescu common today . Arad , as shown today is a product of XVIII -XX century period , especially after gaining the title of a free royal city in 1834 , evolving as a strong handicraft and commercial center around a large agricultural sector . The last three decades of the nineteenth century and the beginning of an explosion in urban to the development of capitalism and the great industries. This urban development was shaped south-north axis , with the starting point in the old city on the banks of the Mures ustriacă built in two phases , between 1698-1701 and 1763-1783 , Vauban - style Tenaille , the only town in the area
