Zalãu is situated in the North-western part of Romania, nearby the border (Roman Limes) of the former Roman Empire, more precisely 8 km away from the "Porolissum" Roman Castrum, the most powerful defense works in the North-western part of the Empire.
Due to its exceptional natural environment at the laps of the Meses Mountains and its rich touristic basis of manmade origin, Zalau, the county capital is an important touristic centre.
The local History Museum with monumental treasures and objects with patrimonial value belonging to the Roman-Dacian history, and a Gallery of art are the main attractions of the city.
The monuments and architectural ensembles complete the attraction potential of the city with extraordinary buildings.
The most important of the 24 monuments and architectural ensembles catalogued in county capital Zalau are:
"Transilvania" (theatre in 1895), the city hall (court and seat of the prefects office in 1889), the roman-catholic church (1878), the reformed church (1904-1907), the orthodox church "Adormirea Maicii Domnului" (1930-1934), the orthodox deanery (built in late 19th century), the Historical Museum (built about 1900 - casino of the artisans fellowship), the primary school "Simion Barnutiu" ( girls` school in 1895) and the mathematics-physics high school (reformed college in 1860), all these being valuable urbanistic elements for the historical and cultural patrimony of the land.
The famous statuary group "Wesselenyi" (1902) by Janos Fadrusz and the bust made in the honour of Simion Barnutiu by Romul Ladea is worth visiting as well.