Zalău

Template:Infobox City in Romania

Zalău (Hungarian: Zilah, German: Waltenberg) is the capital of Sălaj County, Romania. As of 2004 its estimated population is 62,900.

History

Zalău lies in the Valley of Zalau, at the crossing of the Apuseni mountains and Eastern Carpathians, in the county of Sălaj—known since ancient times as Tara Silvaniei (land of the forrests), which is neighbouring Tara Maramuresului (Maramures lands) and the county of Satu Mare, in the northwestern part of the historical region Transylvania, Romania. Its position is very convenient, on the shore of the small River Zalău, between three narrow valleys protected by Meseş mountains and forests. It is the seat and the biggest city of the Sălaj County.

Zalau is located 8 km from the Roman Castrum of Porolissum, the most important fortification in the roman province Dacia. In the medieval, Zalau was the crossing point from the center of Europe to the heart of Transyvania, on the well known Salt Route.

Before the Treaty of Trianon, Zalău was one of the most important cities in the region. It had a Reformed college (Wesselényi college), a township civil school (for boys only), and a national civil school (for girls only). It had the biggest hospital in the region and a revenue office.

In 1850, 4294 individuals lived here. This number grew slowly at first, reaching 8,062 by 1910 (7,477 Hungarians, 19 Germans, 529 Romanians and 23 other nationalities). By religion, these were divided into 1333 Roman Catholics, 873 Greek Catholics, 5363 Reformed and 415 Jews. The city had 1427 houses. Most of the people worked in factories. The Reformed church was built in 1246 and it is one of the city's oldest buildings today. In 1711, Charles XII of Sweden rested one night in Király street (now named after Corneliu Coposu).

Its population grew immensely during the communist era, along with its industry. Several huge factories were built, and some of them run even today, providing jobs for the population.

Today's Zalau is the most important city in the region, economicaly, culturaly and touristicaly, being connected to the European road E 81 and National road DN 1F. Michelin has a tire production unit in Zalau; there are two accredited University colleges in Zalau, two Culture Houses, a Library, a Museum, an Art Gallery and a Cinema; also three Hotels, one Motel and two student camps.

Sights

The city features lively pageants each year. Also to be found are a beautiful statue of Baron Wesselényi in the center of the town, and the Tuhutum memorial (both made by János Fadrusz in 1902), a museum with a vast quantity of roman relics, an art museum, and several churches, among them the calvinist cathedral, which is one of the largest churches in Transylvania.

Population

2002:

Romanians - 80.9%
Hungarians - 17.5%
Roma - 1.36%, and other.

edrc

1992:

Romanians 78.8%;
Hungarians 20.1%;
Other 1.1%

1910:

Hungarians 92.8%;
Romanians 6.6%;
Other 1.2%.

Sports

Zalau also have a good handball team trained by Gheorghe Tadici. Tadici is also the trainer of romanian national handball team. He is well-known for his volcanic temperament, and his devotion for performance.