Hârșova

For the village in Vaslui County, see Deleşti.
Hârșova
Town

Coat of arms
Hârșova

Location of Hârșova in Romania

Coordinates: 44°41′0″N 27°57′7″E / 44.68333°N 27.95194°E / 44.68333; 27.95194Coordinates: 44°41′0″N 27°57′7″E / 44.68333°N 27.95194°E / 44.68333; 27.95194
Country  Romania
County Constanța County
Status Town
Component villages Vadu Oii
Government
 • Mayor Tudor Nădrag (Social Democratic Party[1])
Population [2]
 • Total Decrease9,642
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
 • Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Website http://www.primaria-harsova.ro/

Hârșova (also spelled Hîrșova; Romanian pronunciation: [ˈhɨrʃova]; Bulgarian: Хърсово, Harsovo) is a town located on the right bank of the Danube, in Constanţa County, Romania.

The village of Vadu Oii is administered by the town. The village is linked with Giurgeni commune over the Danube via the Giurgeni-Vadu Oii Bridge.

Etymology

The relationship between the current name of Hârșova and the ancient name of the city, Carsium has long been a matter of debate among historians and linguists.[3] According to Iorgu Iordan the ancient name may have been kept under the influence of the Slavic word Круш, cliff, rock.[3]

The current name may also derive from the ancient Slavic god Hârs (Хърс) and Slavic suffix "-ova" and it is still under debate whether it is in any way linked with the ancient name. An alternative theory suggests that the town's name is of Turkish origins ("hırsız" means "thief" in Turkish).

History

In ancient times, a Roman settlement named Carsium, belonging to the Scythia Minor province, lay on the current site of the town.

In 1853, The Times of London reported that "Hirsova"

is defended by a fortified castle, and has a garrison of abouit 2,000 men. This place was taken by the Russians in 1809 and 1828. Though small, it is of considerable importance from its position on the very spot where the Berchicha returns to the Danube. . . . It is in many parts inundated, but has good pasturage for the excellent horses which constitute the sole wealth of the Tartars who inhabit it.[4]

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1912 3,990—    
1930 3,665−8.1%
1948 3,762+2.6%
1956 4,761+26.6%
1966 7,519+57.9%
1977 8,239+9.6%
1992 10,394+26.2%
2002 11,198+7.7%
2011 9,642−13.9%
Source: Census data

At the 2011 census, Hârșova had 7,476 Romanians (84.47%), 6 Hungarians (0.07%), 490 Roma (5.54%), 829 Turks (9.37%), 9 Tatars (0.10%), 27 Lipovans (0.31%), 4 others (0.05%), 9 with undeclared ethnicity (0.10%) .

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Elected mayors at the 2012 local election" (PDF) (in Romanian). Central Electoral Committee. 15 June 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  2. ↑ (Romanian) Populaţia stabilă după etnie - judeţe, municipii, oraşe, comune, National Institute of Statistics; accessed October 6, 2013
  3. 1 2 Iordan, Iorgu (1963). Toponimia romînească. Bucharest: Editura Academiei Republicii Populare Romîne. p. 89. OCLC 460710897.
  4. ↑ "The Seat of War on the Danube," The Times, December 29, page 8

External links

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