We'll start our walking tour of the city at the Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit in Oradea, a building whose history and architecture reflect the city's rich past over the last three centuries. The town was part of the Habsburg Empire and later Austro-Hungary before becoming part of Romania along with Transylvania. The church has a compelling history that begins against a backdrop of complex relationships between different ethnic groups and religious denominations.

Initially built by Franciscan monks between 1732 and 1748, the church was unwillingly handed over to the Roman Catholic Diocese. This transition was propelled by the secularization policies of Joseph II, which led to the dissolution of the Franciscan order in 1787. Fast forward to 1876, and under the supervision of architect Knapp Ferencz, a 53-meter tower was erected at the church's entrance on Dunării Street within just four months.

Over time, the building began to show signs of wear and tear. Serious cracks appeared between the nave and the tower in 1891, necessitating urgent repairs. Another smash appeared on the vault of the centre in 1901. This time, architects couldn't find a way to save it, deciding to demolish the nave and build a new one while preserving the southern tower and the side altars in the chapel, all in Baroque style.

Architects Rimánoczy Kálmán Jr. and Sztarill Ferenc undertook the reconstruction project. They laid the foundation on May 5, 1903, and completed the construction by spring 1905. The church's new facade mimics Baroque elements, although it was constructed later to maintain the old church's appearance. With its somewhat obscure name and Baroque features, the Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit fits perfectly into the architectural landscape of Oradea.