Straddling the Mures River and occupying parts of both Crisana province and Banat, Arad traces its history back to the 11th century. Arad developed as a major trading post during the Turkish occupation, between 1551 and 1699. After 1699, the city was ruled by the Habsburg Monarchy and in 1834 Arad was declared a 'free royal town' by Emperor Francis I of Austria.

Today, Arad is an important industrial center and transportation hub, as well as home to two universities, a Romanian Orthodox theological seminary, a training school for teachers, and a music conservatory.
Churches and cathedrals in the city span four centuries, several denominations, and architectural styles ranging from baroque to neoclassic. The Arad Fortress (Cetatea Aradului), boasting a Vauban-style stronghold with a six-pointed star shape, was built under the orders of Hapsburg empress Maria Theresa between 1763 and 1783.

Arad County is also home to some important Orthodox monasteries, such as the ones from Hodos-Bodrog (dating from 1177), Bezdin (dating from 1334), Gai (built in 1760-1762), the Sf. Maria – Radna Franciscan Monastery (built in 1727 – 1826), the Princely Orthodox Church from Halmagiu (dating back to the 14th century), the Roman-Catholic Church from Sânpetru German (built in 1774).