Orhei

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Orhei
County Raionul Orhei
Status County capital
Mayor Ion Şarban
Population (2004) 25,680
Density  ? inh/km²
Geographical coordinates 47°23′ N 28°49′ E
Web site  ?

Orhei (Yiddish: Uriv - אוריװ, Russian Orgeyev - Оргеев) is a town and an administrative region of Moldova with a population of 25,680. It is located at 47°23′N 28°49′E, in the centre of the country. Prior to 2003 Orhei was a Judeţ, a large administrative region, but the country was divided further in Raion, or districts. Most people speak Moldovan (Romanian) and Russian. There is one school that is taught in Russian.

The St. Dumitru Church build by Vasile Lupu is located in this town. Orhei is approximately 50 kilometers north of the capital, Chişinău. Orhei gets its name from Orhei Vechi, an active monastery near the village of Ivancea.

The name "Orhei" means "fortress" in Romanian, according to one theory the name being derived from the Hungarian word Őrhely, meaning "fortress", dating from the 13th century, when Hungarian forces built a series of defences in the area.[1]

Orhei was home to many Jews prior to WWII, and has a large Jewish cemetery. There is only one active synagogue left in the community. The main churches are Russian Orthodox. Also in the area are Baptist, a Seventh-day Adventist Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Jehovah Witnesses.

The community has a sport school by the lake, and 9 other secondary schools in the town. There are four restaurants in the town, including a pizzeria.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Nándor Bárdi, László Diószegi, András Gyertyánfy, "Hungarians in Moldavia", Magyar Kisebbség 1-2 (7-8), 1997 (III), pp. 370-390.


Subdivisions of Moldova Flag of Moldova
Raions: Anenii Noi | Basarabeasca | Briceni | Cahul | Cantemir | Călăraşi | Căuşeni | Cimişlia | Criuleni | Donduşeni | Drochia | Dubăsari | Edineţ | Faleşti | Floreşti | Glodeni | Hînceşti | Ialoveni | Leova | Nisporeni | Ocniţa | Orhei | Rezina | Rîşcani | Sîngerei | Soroca | Străşeni | Şoldăneşti | Ştefan Vodă | Taraclia | Teleneşti | Ungheni
Municipalities: Chişinău | Bălţi | Bender | Comrat | Tiraspol
Autonomous regions: Găgăuzia | Stînga Nistrului (disputed)