Breaza

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For other uses, see Breaza (disambiguation).

Breaza

County

Prahova County

Status

Town

Mayor

George Mărăcineanu, Social Democratic Party, since 2004

Population (2002)

18,863

Geographical coordinates

45°11′14″N, 25°39′44″E

Web site

http://www.primariabreaza.ro/

Breaza (/'bre̯a.za/) is a town in Prahova County, Romania, with a population of 18,863.

The town was first documented in an act of 1503, mentioning a certain trader of Breaza called "Neagoe". In 1622 the land of Breaza was divided between four boyars and in 1717, the new ruler of Wallachia, Nicolae Mavrocordat gave the Breaza estate to boyar Iordache Creţulescu. The land was divided by the agrarian reform of 1921 and in 1935 it was declared a spa.

The town's name is a feminine form of the Romanian word "breaz", meaning "courageous".

It consists of at least two villages, Podu Vadului and Breaza de Sus, which merged. One of the main occupations is farming, and traditional needlework, but many inabitants also commute to work in the neighboring towns of Comarnic and Câmpina. Tourism is also important for the local economy, and many locals rent out rooms in the summer months.

Due to its naturally beautiful surroundings, being located among rolling hills, the meaning "skilful" or "courageous".town has long been popular with inhabitants of Bucharest, who tend to have vacation homes here. Among the people who are rumored to have had second residences in Breaza are Adrian Păunescu and Valentin Ceauşescu.

It is also the site of a folk art museum and a military high school.