Industrial city in Romania, on the river
Koos; population (1983) 206,200. Industries
include agricultural machinery, chemicals,
non-ferrous metallurgy, leather goods,
printing, glass, textiles, clothing, and
brewing. Created seat of a bishopric by St
Ladislas in 1083, Oradea was destroyed by the
Turks in 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 in 1919 and held by
Hungary 1940-45.