Jibou

Jibou
Town
The main greenhouses ofJibou Botanical Garden
Coat of arms
Location in Sălaj County
Jibou Location in Romania
Coordinates:47°16′N23°15′E
Country	Romania
County	Sălaj
Established	1205 (documentary attestation)
Government
• Mayor(2020–2024)	Dan Ghiurco(PSD)
Area	51 km2(20 sq mi)
Elevation	220 m (720 ft)
Population (2021-12-01)	9,677
• Density	190/km2(490/sq mi)
Time zone	EET/EEST(UTC+2/+3)
Postal code	455200
Area code	(+40) 02 60
Vehicle reg.	SJ
Website	www.primariajibou.ro

Jibou(Romanian:[ʒiˈbow];Hungarian:Zsibó[ˈʒiboː];German:Siben;Yiddish:זשיבוי) is a town inSălaj County,Transylvania,Romania.In 2021 it had a population of 9,677. Jibou includes the town proper and other four villages: Rona (Hungarian:Szilágyróna), Cuceu (Kucsó), Husia (Hosszúújfalu), and Var (Szamosőrmező).

Jibou is 25 km (16 mi) northeast of the county seatZalău;the two are linked bynational roadDN1Hand county road DJ108A, as well as by railroad. Its major attractions are the old Wesselényi Castle, Vasile Fati Botanical Garden, and the thermal baths.

Geography

Jibou
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D 41 1 −6 36 4 −4 34 10 0 48 16 5 72 21 10 89 24 13 74 26 14 67 26 13 40 22 10 39 16 5 45 8 1 53 3 −3 █Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █Precipitation totals in mm Source:Climate-Data.org
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D 1.6 34 21 1.4 39 25 1.3 50 32 1.9 61 41 2.8 71 49 3.5 75 55 2.9 79 57 2.6 78 56 1.6 71 50 1.5 60 40 1.8 47 33 2.1 37 27 █Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █Precipitation totals in inches

Jibou is situated in the northeastern region of Sălaj County, Romania. It is positioned on the left bank of theSomeș River,where it meets theAgrij River.The town is located at the coordinates of approximately 47°16′N latitude and 23°15′E longitude.

History

Jibou during thebattle of 1705

The city is located in a Daco-Roman area and developed early as a rural settlement.The first documentary attestation of Jibou dates to 1205, under the nameChybur.Among the many names Jibou bore are the titlesvilla(town) in 1219 andoppidum(fortified town) in 1564,which attest the importance of the locality at the time. Jibou is likely older than its first documentary attestation, given that the Roman road connecting the castra ofTihăuwith that ofPorolissumpassed through its boundary. The other component localities were noted a little later: Rona in 1338, Cuceu in 1388, Husia in 1405 and Var in 1469. The development of Jibou continued in medieval times, but suffered from Turkish invasions such as those in 1610 and 1665.

Documents of the time attested that residents here have participated in theBobâlna uprising(1437) and therevolt led by Gheorghe Dojain 1514.Locals fought oppression by outlawry and local uprisings, which have been reported both in the 17th century, and in the 18th century. During therebellion led by Horea, Cloșca and Crișanin 1784 and during the revolution of 1848, serfs in Jibou have been with the thought and deeds by the side of other exploited inhabitants of the Transylvanian settlements, regardless of nationality.

Jibou is well known for his participation in theKurucz rebellion(1703–1711)(seeBattle of Zsibó) taken against Habsburg rule. The Wesselényi family played an important role in the evolution of Jibou, which built a castle there in 1584; today, only traces of the foundation are preserved. The construction of the current castle, the largest baroque complex in Transylvania,began in 1778 and lasted more than 30 years.The most prominent representative of this family was BaronMiklós Wesselényi Jr.,who lived between 1796 and 1850.He fought for the liberation of the serfs, being considered the leader of the reformist Hungarian nobility opposition, which struggled against the conservatism of Habsburg monarchy.

The evolution of Jibou was closely linked to the name of Hungarian statesmanMiklós Wesselényi.

In 1781, his father, Miklós Wesselényi Sr., conflicts with aulic chancellor Johan Haller, his neighbor fromGârbou.On 16 October 1781, with an army of 540 people, armed "some with rifles, most with scythes, iron pitchforks, cudgels" and 12 outlaws (Romanian:haiduci),Miklós Wesselényi appears at Gârbou, taking Haller by surprise, who did not expect such a gesture. As a result of this conflict, Haller sends Wesselényi to trial for six counts: "blasphemy, crooked oath, fire implementing threat, challenge to a duel, infestation and arrest of royal officials, disturbing public security".The process is settled only after three years, when the very EmperorJoseph II,son ofMaria Theresa,condemns Wesselényi to several years of prison at Kufstein.

The last forty-eighter revolutionary army in Europe, made up of about 8,000 soldiers commanded by General Kazinczy, capitulated at the castle on 25 August 1849. From 1876 to 1920, Jibou was part of theSzilágy Countyof theKingdom of Hungary.

The inauguration of theDej–Jibou–Zalăurailway in 1890, and over several years toBaia Mare,led Jibou to become an important railway center.Through the development of industries and construction of railway the number of employees and workers increased. Nevertheless, agriculture remained main branch of the economy, especially after the introduction of alternative crops and the use of agricultural machines. To the end of 19th century in Jibou established many Jewish families, which made to increase the role of exchange of the locality. The main occupation of theJewswas trade; they opened a number of stores.

Jibou in 1927

After the collapse ofAustria-Hungaryat the end ofWorld War I,theGreat National AssemblyofAlba Iulia(1 December 1918) was also attended by delegates from Jibou, headed by Gheorghe Petruca. Following the declaration of theUnion of Transylvania with Romania,theRomanian Armytook control of Jibou in April 1919, during theHungarian–Romanian War.The town officially became part of the territory ceded to theKingdom of Romaniain June 1920 under the terms of theTreaty of Trianon.During theinterwar period,it became the seat ofplasaJibou, inSălaj County.In August 1940, under the auspices ofNazi Germany,which imposed theSecond Vienna Award,Hungaryretook the territory ofNorthern Transylvania(which included Jibou) from Romania. Towards the end ofWorld War II,however, the city was taken back from Hungarian andGermantroops by Romanian andSovietforces on 16 October 1944. In 1950, Jibou became araionseat within theCluj Region;it lost the statute in 1960, when the raion seat becameZalău.Jibou was declared a town in 1968, when a new administrative law was adopted, and Jibou became once again part of Zalău County.

Demography

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1880	2,789	—
1890	3,511	+25.9%
1900	4,625	+31.7%
1910	5,480	+18.5%
1920	5,271	−3.8%
1930	5,995	+13.7%
1941	6,140	+2.4%
1956	7,268	+18.4%
1966	7,507	+3.3%
1977	8,841	+17.8%
1992	11,989	+35.6%
2002	11,306	−5.7%
2011	10,407	−8.0%
2021	9,677	−7.0%
Source: Census data

Ethnic composition of Jibou

Romanian (78.88%)

Hungarian (11.45%)

Roma (5.61%)

Unknown (3.85%)

Other (0.19%)

Confessional composition of Jibou

Orthodox (68.73%)

Roman Catholic (1.45%)

Reformed (10.45%)

Pentecostal (7.16%)

Greek Catholic (1.22%)

Baptist (3.86%)

Jehovah's Witness (2.11%)

Unknown (4.42%)

Other (0.57%)

Before it came under Romanian authority, the majority of the inhabitants were Hungarians. According to data of the 1910 census, 532 out of 3,047 wereRomaniansand 2,481Hungarians.

According to thecensus of 2011,the town numbered at that time 10,407 inhabitants, of which 5,141 were male and 5,266 female. The decrease in population was mainly due to negative natural growth, but also emigration to other western European countries. The city's population was made up of 8,210Romanians(9,181 in 2002), alongside also live 1,192Hungarians(1,503 in 2002), 584Roma(603 in 2002), 5Ukrainians(3 in 2002), 3Slovaks(2 in 2002), 7 of other nationalities, and 401 of undeclared ethnicity.Regarding religious confessions, 7,153 wereOrthodox(9,044 in 2002), 151Roman Catholic(162 in 2002), 127Greek Catholic(175 in 2002), 1,088Reformed(1,520 in 2002), 4Unitarians(1 in 2002), 402Baptist(500 in 2002), 746Pentecostal(560 in 2002), 7Seventh-day Adventist(12 in 2002), 12Evangelical(8 in 2002), 3Muslim(2 in 2002), 220Jehovah's Witness,14 other religions, 11 without religion (6 in 2002), 5 atheists (2 in 2002), and 460 with undeclared religion.

At the2021 census,Jibou had a population of 9,677; of those, 78.89% were Romanians, 11.45% Hungarians, and 5.61% Roma.

Economy

Over time, Jibou has kept its predominant agricultural and handicraft character. If before 1968 it had only one industrial unit,Red Star(Romanian:Steaua Roșie,Hungarian:Vörös Csillagot), that produced joinery articles, in the years that followed were built and expanded: the Flax Plant, the Clothing Firm, the Flax Melter, the Dairy, the Mining Company, theCFRDepot, sections of the Zalău Enterprise of Industrial Armature of Iron and Steel, Zalău Ceramics, the Forest Unit of Exploitation and Transport, the handicraft cooperatives theCraftsmen Collectiveand theProgress,and others. After 1989, some of these economic units have ceased work, others had reprofiled, adapting in one way or another tomarket economy.The most worrisome effect is the large number of unemployed, which is why it falls upon the general standard of living of the inhabitants.

Industry

In terms of industry, Jibou has profiled, in time, on certain sectors oflight industry,wood processing, food, crafts and construction. Productive units have small production capacities, but optimally harness material and human resources of the area. In this regard can be mentioned: Confecții SA, Samtex, Multiprod, Mining Company, Bălănean Mill, theProgresscooperative, theCraftsmancooperative, the Cheese Factory, Absolut Typography, Clem SRL, Calion Prod, etc.

Agriculture and silviculture

Fertile lands in theSomeșmeadow and terraces favored the cultivation of the main agricultural plants, but also the animals' growth. Along with acreage, appear sectors covered bydeciduous forests,which complete the natural landscape.

Commerce

The geographical position of the city favored the layout of a market for sale of industrial and agricultural products, but also of an animal market. There are many commercial units making a wide range of products, such as: Bujor SNC, Alfa, But Impex, Bălănean, Tora, Baciu, Paloma, Criss, and Consumcoop units.

Services

In order to meet certain needs of the population, there are many units providing services, such as: Prod Fizeș, Arcada, Consomes, Tinca SRL, theCraftsmancooperative, theProgresscooperative, that perform construction, plumbing, heating and water works, carpentry, repair of household appliances, auto repair shops, etc.

Banking system

Monetary circulation in the city and surroundings is provided by theCEC Bank,theRomanian Commercial Bank,theRomanian Bank for Development,the Treasury and the Credit Cooperative. In the insurance field operates the following units: Asirom, Unita, Ardaf.

Tourism

Monuments

Wesselényi Castle

Vintage image of the casino

• Old Orthodox Church (1931)
• St. George Orthodox Church – built between 1998 and 2001,it is nicknamed the "high-tech church" for its modern amenities (electronic censer, underfloor heating, altar with remote control).
• Reformed Church – burned byTatarsin 1658 and by Lobonts in 1705, it is rebuilt in 1749.
• Assumption of the Virgin MaryRoman Catholic Church (1886)
• Wesselényi Castle, in the courtyard of which is arranged the Botanical Garden.
• Béldy Castle – built in 1903 by Béldy family for its boy, the castle houses a neuropsychiatric hospital.
• Formercasino(late 19th century)
• Oldtrain station(1890), subsequently converted intobus terminal
• Town Hall (late 19th century)
• Town Hospital, formerly Court (late 19th century)

Education

Registers of the Calvin (Reformed) confessional school are run starting in 1746, but the institution is much older. State education dates from 1895. According to monographistPetri Mór,here functioned, by the late 19th century, the firstkindergarteninTransylvania,with Júlia Teleki as educator.

Jibou has three kindergartens, two high schools and a secondary school:

• Ion Agârbiceanu Theoretical High School (established on 1 September 1957);
• Octavian Goga Technological High School (until 23 October 2001, general school; until 12 January 2012, school group);
• Lucian Blaga Secondary School (since 1971).

Notable people

• Ștefan Birtalan(1948–2024), a Romanian former handball player, coach and sports official
• Cornel Damian(born 1960), a Romanian cleric, auxiliary bishop of theRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Bucharest
• Aurel Martin(1926–2093), literary historian, literary critic, and translator
• Miklós Wesselényi(1796–1850), statesman and a celebrity in his age for his sportsman's accomplishments

Climate

Jibou has ahumid continental climate(Cfbin theKöppen climate classification).

Climate data for Jibou
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	1.4 (34.5)	4 (39)	9.6 (49.3)	15.9 (60.6)	20.5 (68.9)	23.8 (74.8)	25.6 (78.1)	25.9 (78.6)	20.8 (69.4)	14.9 (58.8)	9.1 (48.4)	2.8 (37.0)	14.5 (58.1)
Daily mean °C (°F)	−2 (28)	−0.1 (31.8)	4.6 (40.3)	10.6 (51.1)	15.5 (59.9)	19.1 (66.4)	20.8 (69.4)	20.9 (69.6)	15.8 (60.4)	10.1 (50.2)	5.1 (41.2)	−0.3 (31.5)	10.0 (50.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	−5.2 (22.6)	−3.9 (25.0)	−0.4 (31.3)	4.8 (40.6)	9.6 (49.3)	13.4 (56.1)	15.4 (59.7)	15.4 (59.7)	10.9 (51.6)	5.8 (42.4)	1.7 (35.1)	−3 (27)	5.4 (41.7)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches)	48 (1.9)	45 (1.8)	56 (2.2)	64 (2.5)	76 (3.0)	89 (3.5)	82 (3.2)	60 (2.4)	68 (2.7)	59 (2.3)	53 (2.1)	56 (2.2)	756 (29.8)
Source:https://en.climate-data.org/europe/romania/salaj/jibou-15562/

External links

• Map of Jibou
• Jibou Botanical GardenArchived2018-10-09 at theWayback Machine
• Old images of Jibou