Zalău
Zalău | |
---|---|
The Reformed church County Museum House of Culture Panoramic view | |
Coat of arms | |
Coordinates: 47°11′28″N 23°3′26″E / 47.19111°N 23.05722°E | |
Country | Romania |
County | Sălaj |
Government | |
• Mayor (2020–2024) | Ionel Ciunt[1] (PSD) |
Area | 90.09 km2 (34.78 sq mi) |
Elevation | 275 m (902 ft) |
Population (2021-12-01)[2] | 52,359 |
• Density | 580/km2 (1,500/sq mi) |
Time zone | EET/EEST (UTC+2/+3) |
Postal code | 450006–450167 |
Area code | (+40) 2 60 |
Vehicle reg. | SJ |
Website | www |
Zalău (Romanian pronunciation: [zaˈləw], unofficial and former official name: Romanian: Zălau (Romanian pronunciation: [zəlˈaw]; German: Zillenmarkt or Waltenberg, Hungarian: Zilah, Turkish: Zile) is the seat of Sălaj County, Romania. In 2021, its estimated population was 52,359.
History
Ancient times
Zalău is situated in the area inhabited by "
Archaeological discoveries revealed evidence of human existence in this area since the Neolithic, approx. 6500 years ago[citation needed]. Dacian coins found in archaeological perimeters of the city central area and on the Valea Mâții, west of the city[citation needed], plus important items belonging to Roman culture, are evidence of free Dacian continuity in this area and of developing economic relations with the Roman ancient city of Porolissum[citation needed].
After the conquest of Dacia by Trajan (106), the Roman Empire border stood atop the Meseș Mountains, just 5 km (3.1 mi) away from the city[citation needed]. Just north from the border, on the actual Zalău city area were the free Dacians tribes, and to the east, south-east (of Meseș Mountains) were Roman border fortifications, towers, walls, ditches and defense sides[citation needed].
Middle Ages
The first written mention about Zalău, was in the "
On 1 August 1473, Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary and Bohemia, acknowledged Zalău as a market town for the first time (called oppidum Zilah – Zilah fort), a privilege that freed the city from the county domination, granted its citizens the right of free trade and gave it a larger degree of economic autonomy. At the end of the 16th century, the city had an independent administrative leadership, composed of 33 elected senators (one of whom was the mayor), a notary, a registrar and a treasurer.
Other important events in the development of the city occurred in 1571 during the reign of Prince
The city was under the rule
On 9 November 1714, Charles XII of Sweden rested for a night in a building on Király street (now named after Corneliu Coposu) with an acquaintance György Zoványi as is indicated by a notice still on the house.[3] Until the administrative reform of 1876, the city was the seat of Közép-Szolnok County for centuries.
Modern times
Zalău is one of the most important urban centers in the region. It had a
In 1850, it held a population of 4,294 and, in 1910–8,062 (7,477 Hungarians, 19 Germans, 529 Romanians and 23 belonging to other ethnic groups). By religion, there were 1,333
In 1876, Zalău became the seat of the Szilágy County. After the proclamation of the Union of Transylvania with Romania (1 December 1918), by the Treaty of Trianon Zalău has been part of Romania – except between 1940 until the end of World War II, when Northern Transylvania became part of Hungary as a result of the Second Vienna Award. On 8 September 1940, upon arrival in Zalău, the Hungarian Army killed 10 people just outside the city; in the following days, the Nușfalău, Treznea, and Ip massacres were perpetrated in nearby villages.[4]
Between 1892 and 1896, one of the most famous Hungarian poets
At the end of the 19th century, Lajos Szikszai donated his private collection to the municipality and the first museum in Zalău was created. An exhibition was also organized in 1926, but the Zalău County Museum was officially inaugurated in 1951. On 9 July 1981, a new section of the Zalău County Museum was inaugurated and was named the "Ioan Sima" Arts Gallery.
The Battle of Zalău took place in 1919, during the Hungarian–Romanian War.
The Central Library, owning 7,000 Romanian and Hungarian books, was opened on the 23 August 1950. In 1952 it became the Raion Library, coordinating all the Zalău Raion libraries. In 1957 it took the name of Ioniță Scipione Bădescu. It became the County Library with the administrative reform of February 1968.
As of the end of the 1960s, the city became a regional industrial center for the first time, which was heavily impacted by the
In 2007, due to the negligence of the local natural gas distributor, a gas accumulation produced an explosion that led to casualties and significant material damage.[5]
Today Zalău is crossed by
Geography
Zalău is the county seat and the largest city in
It neighbours
The city includes a total surface of 90.09 km2 (34.78 sq mi). This includes the one village it administers, Stâna (Felsőnyárló), situated south-east of Meseș, in the hydrographic basin of the Agrij River. Măgura Stânii is at an altitude of 716 m (2,349 ft).[citation needed]
Sights
The most important of the 24 monuments and buildings in the county capital of Zalău are: "
Zalău hosts lively pageants each year, including a summer festival known as the "Zalău Days". There is a statue of Baron Wesselényi in Iuliu Maniu Square of the town center; the Tuhutum Memorial (both made by János Fadrusz in 1902); the Zalău County Museum of History and Art displays artifacts ranging from neolithic times to modern times, with a focus on the Roman period and hosts works of modern art. There are several churches, including the Calvinist Cathedral, which is one of the most beautiful and largest in Transylvania.
Population
The population of Zalău went through important evolutions through time. At the
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1850 | 4,294 | — |
1880 | 5,961 | +38.8% |
1910 | 8,062 | +35.2% |
1930 | 8,340 | +3.4% |
1941 | 8,546 | +2.5% |
1948 | 11,652 | +36.3% |
1956 | 13,378 | +14.8% |
1966 | 14,380 | +7.5% |
1977 | 31,923 | +122.0% |
1992 | 68,404 | +114.3% |
2002 | 62,927 | −8.0% |
2011 | 56,202 | −10.7% |
2021 | 52,359 | −6.8% |
Ethnic structure
Total | Romanians | Hungarians | Roma
|
Other |
---|---|---|---|---|
1850 | ||||
4,290 | 20 | 4,137 | 76 | |
100% | 0.5% | 96.4% | 1.8% | |
1910 | ||||
10,184 | 2,585 | 7,540 | 59 | |
100% | 25.38% | 74.03% | 0.57% | |
1930 | ||||
10,688 | 4,364 | 5,624 | 140 | 560 |
100% | 40.84% | 52.61% | 1.30% | 5.23% |
1956 | ||||
13,378 | 6,468 | 6,756 | 15 | 144 |
100% | 48.34% | 50.50% | 0.11 | 1.07% |
1977 | ||||
31,923 | 22,076 | 9,665 | 83 | 99 |
100% | 69.15% | 30.27% | 0.26% | 0,31% |
1992 | ||||
68,404 | 53,974 | 13,637 | 629 | 164 |
100% | 78.90% | 19.93% | 0.91% | 0.23% |
2002 | ||||
62,927 | 50,902 | 11,016 | 858 | 151 |
100% | 80.89% | 17.50% | 1.36% | 0.23% |
2011 | ||||
53,308 | 43,489 | 8,742 | 801 | 276 |
100% | 81.58% | 16.40% | 1.50% | 0.52% |
Confessional structure
Confession | 1930[7]
|
2002[8]
|
---|---|---|
Reformed Church in Romania | 52.41% | 15.24% |
Greek Catholics
|
18.98% | 3.07% |
Roman Catholics
|
11.46% | 1.72% |
Romanian Orthodox
|
6.01% | 73.29% |
Jews | 5.14% | < 0.1% |
Baptists | 0.91% | 2.01% |
Pentecostals
|
< 0.1% | 3.29% |
Etymology
The location had various names: "Ziloc" in 1220, "Oppidum Zilah" in 1473, "Zila" in 1601, and "Zilahu" and "Zalahu" in the 19th century, or forms of German toponimy "Waltenberg" and "Zillenmarkt".
Politics
This section needs to be updated.(June 2021) |
At the end of the 16th century, the town had an independent administrative rule made of 33 elected senators, from whom one of them was the mayor. There were also a notary, an archivist and a treasurer.
Formed by 21 members, the Local Council has the following attributes: to approve the local budget, loans, credit transfers and the means of the use of the budgetary reserve; it establishes local taxes as well as special taxes; to elect the vice-mayors, to decide on the staff of attendants number.
2012 election
The Zalău Council, elected in the 2012 local government elections, was made up of 21 councilors, with the following party composition: 3-Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania, 12-Social Liberal Union, 3-Democratic Liberal Party, 3-People's Party – Dan Diaconescu. Mayor Radu Căpîlnășiu was re-elected.[9]
Party | Seats | 2012 Zalău Council | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Social Liberal Union | 12 | |||||||||||||
Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania | 3 | |||||||||||||
Democratic Liberal Party | 3 | |||||||||||||
People's Party – Dan Diaconescu | 3 |
2008 elections
Mayor Radu Căpîlnășiu was elected first time in 2004 as member of Democratic Party (PD) and re-elected in 2008 and 2012 as member of National Liberal Party (PNL).
The Zalău Municipal Council, elected in the 2008 local government elections, was made up of 21 councilors, with the following party composition:
Party | Seats | 2008 Zalău Council | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
National Liberal Party | 9 | ||||||||||
Democratic Liberal Party | 4 | ||||||||||
Social Democratic Party | 4 | ||||||||||
Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania | 4 |
2004 elections
The Zalău Municipal Council, elected in the 2004 local government elections, was made up of 21 councillors, with the following party composition:
Party | Seats | 2004 Zalău Council | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Social Democratic Party | 6 | |||||||
National Liberal Party | 5 | |||||||
Democratic Party | 5 | |||||||
Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania | 3 | |||||||
Greater Romania Party | 2 |
Sports
The city has a women's handball team, named HC Zalău, that is coached by Gheorghe Tadici, the former head coach of Romania's national handball team.
Media
Graiul Sălajului, Magazin Sălăjean, Sălajeanul, Țara Silvaniei (1940, 1989), Năzuința (1960–1989), Sălajul Orizont, Gazeta de Duminică, Glasul copilăriei, , Szilágyság.
Online media
- Zalau24.ro On scene news reports happening in Zalău and in Sălaj County.
Notable natives and residents
- Endre Ady (1877–1919), Hungarian poet
- Dacian Cioloș (born 1969), politician, Prime Minister of Romania
- Alexandru Dragomir (1916–2002), Romanian philosopher
- Ramona Farcău (born 1979), Romanian handball player
- Virgil D. Gligor (born 1949), Romanian-American professor of electrical and computer engineering
- Eduard Hellvig (born 1974), director of the Romanian Intelligence Service
- Iuliu Maniu (1873–1953), Romanian politician
- Florian Pop (born 1952), Romanian-American mathematician
- Codruț Șereș (born 1969), Romanian engineer and politician
- Gheorghe Tadici (born 1952), Romanian handball coach
- Talida Tolnai (born 1979), Romanian handball player
- Miklós Wesselényi (1796–1850), Hungarian statesman
- Gyula Zilahy (1859–1938), Hungarian stage and film actor
International relations
Twin towns – Sister cities
Zalău is
- Imola, Italy (2005)
- Sandwell, United Kingdom (2006)
- Kamianets-Podilskyi, Ukraine (2003)
- Szentendre, Hungary (1990)
Climate
Zalău has a humid continental climate (Dfb in the Köppen climate classification).
Climate data for Zalău | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 1.7 (35.1) |
4.1 (39.4) |
9.5 (49.1) |
15.6 (60.1) |
20.1 (68.2) |
23.4 (74.1) |
25.3 (77.5) |
25.5 (77.9) |
20.5 (68.9) |
14.9 (58.8) |
9.2 (48.6) |
3 (37) |
14.4 (57.9) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | −1.8 (28.8) |
-0 (32) |
4.6 (40.3) |
10.5 (50.9) |
15.2 (59.4) |
18.8 (65.8) |
20.6 (69.1) |
20.6 (69.1) |
15.6 (60.1) |
10 (50) |
5 (41) |
−0.2 (31.6) |
9.9 (49.8) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −5.2 (22.6) |
−4.1 (24.6) |
−0.4 (31.3) |
4.6 (40.3) |
9.4 (48.9) |
13.1 (55.6) |
15.1 (59.2) |
15 (59) |
10.6 (51.1) |
5.6 (42.1) |
1.5 (34.7) |
−3.2 (26.2) |
5.2 (41.3) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 50 (2.0) |
49 (1.9) |
60 (2.4) |
69 (2.7) |
83 (3.3) |
97 (3.8) |
93 (3.7) |
70 (2.8) |
74 (2.9) |
62 (2.4) |
56 (2.2) |
59 (2.3) |
822 (32.4) |
Source: https://en.climate-data.org/europe/romania/salaj/zalau-1342/ |
Photo gallery
-
Stânain Josephinische Landaufnahme
-
Zalău in Josephinische Landaufnahme
Works
- János Kovács Kuruc, Zilah vallási életéről, In: Limes, 2000, 3, nr. 1–2, p. 138–143.
- Éva Lakóné Hegyi; Wagner, Ernő. A zilahi kalandosok, In: EM, 2001, 63, nr. 1–2, p. 30–41.
- Florin Mirgheșiu, Modernitatea Zalăului. In: AMPZ, 2001, 2, nr. 4, p. 11–19.
- Moroti, Elisabeta. Scurtă privire istorică asupra dezvoltării economice a orașului Zalău. In: AMPZ, 2001, 2, nr. 4, p. 36–39.
- Municipiul Zalău. Prezentare. In: AMPZ, 2002, 3, nr. 7–8, p. 154–161.
- Elena Muscă, Meșteșugari zălăuani și locul lor în structurile administrației publice locale, In: AMP, 2003, 25, p. 325–332.
- L. Nicoară; Pușcaș, Angelica. Rolul municipiului Zalău în zona de contact dintre depresiunea Transilvaniei și Dealurile de Vest. In: Studia geogr., 1999, 44, nr. 1, p. 99–112.
References
- ^ "Results of the 2020 local elections". Central Electoral Bureau. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ "Populaţia rezidentă după grupa de vârstă, pe județe și municipii, orașe, comune, la 1 decembrie 2021" (XLS). National Institute of Statistics.
- ^ "Zalău, Zoványi house". Welcometoromania.ro. Archived from the original on 18 January 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ^ Pop, Alina (8 September 2015). "75 de ani de la masacrul de la Treznea: 87 de români și 6 evrei, uciși la comanda unui moșier maghiar. "Pe fratele meu de 2 ani l-au împușcat primul, în gură"". Adevărul (in Romanian). Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- ^ "Zece ani de la explozia blocului E24". magazinsalajean.ro. 18 September 2017.
- ^ a b Tab8. Populaţia stabilă după etnie – judeţe, municipii, oraşe, comune, 2011 census results, Institutul Național de Statistică, accessed 3 March 2020.
- ^ Recensământul general al populației României din 29 Decemvrie 1930, vol. II, pag. 713.
- ^ "Recensământ 2002". Recensamant.referinte.transindex.ro. Archived from the original on 19 April 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ^ Dacă vrei să râzi, apasă aici!. "Alegerile locale in Salaj, rezultate finale!". www.magazinsalajean.ro. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ^ "Municipiul Zalau". www.zalausj.ro. Archived from the original on 31 October 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
External links
- (in Romanian) https://web.archive.org/web/20090117041059/http://www.salaj.insse.ro/main.php
- (in Romanian and English) http://www.insse.ro/cms/files/pdf/ro/cap2.pdf