Oravita (Hungarian: Oravicabánya, before Németoravica, German: Deutsch-Orawitz) is a town in Caras-Severin county, Banat, Romania. It has a population of 15.564 inhabitants. It was founded by the joining of Mountain Oravita and Romanian Oravita.
In 1859 the greatest industrial, economic and manufacture exposition in the entire Austro-Hungarian Empire took place in Oravita. During those times, all nationalities in Oravita contributed to enhancing the prestige of that small town in full swing.
In 1873 after StEG took over the mining activities, Oravita elected its first mayor, and in 1879 Oravita had its own town hall.
Between the two World Wars, it was Caras County seat.
The Mihai Eminescu theater
The "Mihai Eminescu" theater in Oravita is the oldest in Romanian and in the South-East
Europe, being the first building in Europe lighted with acetylene lamps. In 1957 was declared historical and architectural monument. The building was executed in Viennese Baroque style in 1816. The poet Mihai Eminescu performed on its stage,
hence the theatre name.
The Mihai Eminescu theater from Oravita
Oravita Station
Oravita railway station
In Oraviţa it was also built the first railway on the territory of Romania,
Oraviţa - Iam - Iasenova - Vracevgai - Bazias, initiated for freight transport on 30 august 1854 and for passengers on 1
november 1856. Oraviţa Station The station has its platform at the first floor; the station platform is well above the street level. Once, there was an elevator.
Passengers and luggage went up by elevator, from the street level to the platform. Now the elevator does not work anymore.
On 15 july 1858Oraviţa was connected to the world railway network, when Timişoara city was connected to a new railway, Vârşeţ - Iasenova.
The road train from Oraviţa to Budapest it last then 26 hours, and from Oraviţa to Viena36 hours,
the route being also known as the "longest eastern line".On 5 march 1909Oraviţa - Berzovia -Reşiţa railway was initiated. Since that date Oraviţa had become a highly important railway junction.
Among the personalities who passed through Oraviţa Station are Pascaly theater, which included Mihai Eminescu at the time prompter and private secretary to the Director,
Empress Sissi, King Carol I of Romania, traveling in incognito.
