Zalău

Zalău lies in Zalău Valley, at the junction of the Apuseni mountains and Eastern Carpathians, in Sălaj County. It neighbours Ţara Maramureşului and the county of Satu Mare, in the northwestern part of the historical region ofTransylvania, Romania. It lies on the shore of the small river Zalău, between three narrow valleys in the Meseş mountains. It is the county seat and the largest city in Sălaj County.

Zalău is 8 km away from the Roman Castrum of Porolissum historical landmark, a rather well preserved fortification in the ancient Roman province of Dacia. In medieval times, Zalău was the crossing point between center Europe and Transylvania, along the so-called Salt Route.

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

In 1850, its population was 4,294 and, in 1910 -- 8,062 (7,477 Hungarians, 19 Germans, 529 Romanians and 23 other of other ethnic groups). By religion, there were 1,333 Roman Catholics, 873 Greek-Catholics, 5,363 members of the Reformed Church, and 415 Jews. The city had 1,427 households, and most of its inhabitants were working in manufacturing. The Reformed church was built in 1246 and it is one of the city's oldest buildings. In 1711, Charles XII of Sweden rested one night on Király street (now named after Corneliu Coposu).

Its population grew rapidly during the communist period, along with local industries.

Zalău is today the most important economic and culturtal center in the region. It is connected to European road E81 and the national road DN 1F. Michelin has a tire production unit in Zalău. The town has 2 nationally accredited University colleges, a public library, a museum, an art gallery, 3 hotels, 1 motel, and 2 student hostels.

[edit] Sights

Zalau hosts lively pageants each year. There is a statue of Baron Wesselényi in the town center; the Tuhutum memorial (both made by János Fadrusz in 1902); a museum displaying Roman relics and artifcats; an art museum, and several churches, among which Calvinist cathedral is one of the largest in Transylvania.

[edit] Population

2002:

Romanians — 80.9%
Hungarians — 17.5%
Roma — 1.36%, and others.

edrc

1992:

Romanians 78.8%;
Hungarians 20.1%;
Other 1.1%

1910:

Hungarians 92.8%^[1];
Romanians 6.6%;
Other 1.2%.

[edit] Sports

Zalău also has a good handball team, coached by Gheorghe Tadici, who is also the head coach of Romania's national handball team.

[edit] Photos

Calvinist Cathedral 1.	Calvinist Cathedral 2.	Statue of Baron Wesselényi 1.	Statue of Baron Wesselényi 2.
City Hall	Catholic Church	"Silvania" College	Roman relics
Modern Theatre	"1. December 1918" Square	Orthodox Cathedral