Iegar, Diana - Sárándi Tamás: Satu Mare. Amprentele trecutului (Satu Mare, 2009)
Piaţa Libertăţii
PIAŢA LIBERTĂŢII • SZABADSÁG TÉR • LIBERTY SQUARE Libertăţii (Liberty) Square Images of 17th century show that on the site of the main square of Satu Mare, there was a terrain without buildings, where the four fairs were held yearly. After the fortress had disappeared, in the 18th century, the square gradually became the centre of the city as constructions around the market-place started. The most significant building was the old Town Hall built in Baroque style, between 1768 and 1772,This house with a tower was located in the place of the actual Dacia Hotel. The systematization of the square began in 1808, first being paved with wood, then with stone. During the 19th century, more and more buildings were constructed here, and the square started to gain its actual aspect. The free land in the centre of the square was used as place for fairs up to the interwar period, when the central park was built. The city centre had many names along the centuries. In the 19th century, it was simply called The Big Square, while 1883 it became Deák Ferenc Square. After 1918, its name was changed to Victoria Square (Victory Square). In 1937, it was divided into two parts, one of them was called I. C. Brătianu Square, the other one got the name Regele Carol II Square (King Charles II Square). Between 1940 and 1944 the old centre of the city was known as Horthy Miklós Square, while after 1946, the name varies between Stalin Square and finally Libertăţii Square (Liberty Square). There are several historical monument buildings surrounding the park in the old centre of the city, the majority of which being built in the 19th century. The monumental building of the Roman-Catholic Cathedral dominates the eastern side of the Square. It can be found at the intersection with 1 December 1918 street, near the Episcopal Palace. Next to the Cathedral, the house of the provost is built, while at the corner of the Cuza Vodă street the building of the former Korona Hotel is situated. This was built in the first half of the 19th century, and 34
