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Buzău

Coordinates:45°09′11″N26°49′15″E/ 45.15306°N 26.82083°E/45.15306; 26.82083
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For other uses, seeBuzău (disambiguation).

Buzău
Municipality


From top, left to right: Buzău Town Hall, City Courthouse, Bishopric complex, Albatros Villa (Marghiloman Park), Crâng Park
Coat of arms of Buzău
Coat of arms
Location within Buzău County
Location within Buzău County
Buzău is located in Romania
Buzău
Buzău
Location in Romania
Coordinates:45°09′11″N26°49′15″E/ 45.15306°N 26.82083°E/45.15306; 26.82083
CountryRomania
CountyBuzău
Established1431 (first official record)
Government
• Mayor(2020–2024)Constantin Toma[1](PSD)
Area
81.3 km2(31.4 sq mi)
Elevation
95 m (312 ft)
Population
(2021-12-01)[2]
103,481
• Density1,300/km2(3,300/sq mi)
Time zoneEET/EEST(UTC+2/+3)
Postal code
12xxxx
Area code(+40) x38
Vehicle reg.BZ
Websitewww.primariabuzau.ro

The city ofBuzău(formerly spelledBuzeuorBuzĕu;Romanian pronunciation:[buˈzəw]ⓘ) is the county seat ofBuzău County,Romania, in the historical region ofMuntenia.It lies near the right bank of theBuzău River,between the south-eastern curvature of theCarpathian Mountainsand the lowlands ofBărăgan Plain.

Buzău is a railway hub in south-eastern Romania, where railways that link Bucharest to Moldavia and Transylvania to the Black Sea coast meet.DN2,a segment ofEuropean route E85crosses the city. Buzău's proximity to trade routes helped it develop its role as a commerce hub in older days, and as an industrial centre during the 20th century.

During the Middle Ages, Buzău was amarket townandEastern Orthodoxepiscopal seeinWallachia.It faced a period of repeated destruction during the 17th and 18th centuries, nowadays symbolized on the city seal by thePhoenix bird.In the 19th century, after the end of that era, the city began to recover. The economy underwent industrialization, Buzău became a railway hub, and public education became available. At this time, the Communal Palace, the city's landmark building, and Crâng Park, the main recreational area, were built. The communist regime after World War II brought forced industrialization and the tripling of the city's population. Some of the factories open at the time are still functioning within the framework of market economy.

There are no universities based in Buzău, and only a few universities from other cities have remote learning facilities here. The main educational institutions here are B.P. Hasdeu high-school (where Nobel laureate George Emil Palade studied) and Mihai Eminescu high-school. The city has a number of other secondary schools, in addition to elementary schools. The Vasile Voiculescu County Library and Buzău County Museum are based in the city. The latter also manages an ethnography exhibit in the city, as well as the Vasile Voiculescu memorial house inPârscovand the amber exhibit atColți.

Etymology[edit]

The city is named afterthe nearby river.In turn, the river is mentioned under the nameΜουσεος(Mouseos) in a document written in Greek and dated 376 AD, recounting the martyrdom ofSabbas the Goth.HistorianVasile Pârvanthought that this name is a Greek misspelling of the Thracian wordBouzeos(by losing aπfrom theΜπgroup, which is pronounced like a LatinB). He suggested that the name comes from the Thracian rootBuzes,with the addition of the-eusuffix, a form of the Greek-Latin suffix-aios.[3]

History[edit]

Main article:History of Buzău
Buzău in early 20th century
German occupation troops, 1916

The written history of the city begins with that ofWallachia.It was certified as a market town and customs point during the reign ofDan II.[4]Archeological sites belonging toGumelnițaand Monteoru cultures prove the presence of human inhabitants before the Christian era.[5]During the Middle Ages, there was also a fortress of Buzău, but only a few passing mentions in foreign documents are kept.[5]The market that was already flourishing in 1431, has also become an Orthodox episcopal see in the early 16th century.[6]

In the 17th century, an era of war and foreign invasions began, that affected the town and its surroundings. They began withMichael the Brave's participation in theLong Turkish War[7]and ended with theWallachian uprising of 1821.[8]Natural disasters (epidemics, earthquakes) also took their toll, leading to destruction and depopulation of Buzău. However, the inhabitants always returned and rebuilt the city, which led early 18th century local authorities to use thePhoenix birdon the city seal, as a symbol of rebirth.[9]

The 19th century brought a time of cultural and economical development.[10]TheCommunal Palace,the city's main landmark, was built at the time,[11]after the city developed its industry and became a railway hub in the 1870s. Schools were open, such as the Theological Seminary în 1836, and the B. P. Hasdeu high school in 1867,[11]and theatre plays were produced (starting 1852):[12]the "Moldavia" theatre house was built in 1898 and used throughout the first half of the 20th century as the main concert and theatre hall, where artists such asGeorge Enescu,C. I. NottaraandNicolae Leonardperformed.[13]For short periods of time,Ion Luca Caragiale[14][15]andConstantin Brâncușihave lived and worked here.[16]

DuringWorld War I,Buzău came under German occupation after mid-December 1916,[17]and many inhabitants took refuge in the nearby villages or inWestern Moldavia.The city resumed its development after the war. The interbellum brought about the first sport matches (association football and bo xing )[18]and the "Metalurgica" factory,[19]a private business that was to be later confiscated by the communists, and continues to this day as part of a joined venture.

AfterWorld War II,the industrialization of Buzău was forcefully accelerated, and its population tripled in less than 50 years; new inhabitants were brought to work in newly built factories mainly in the south of the city.[20]Buzău has profoundly changed its appearance, working class quarters being built instead of the old commercial streets, some historical buildings,[21]such as the Moldavia Theatre, were demolished. Their cultural role was taken over by the Labor Unions' Cultural Center and then by "Dacia" Cinema.[22]

In 2021, there was a project, known as "Buzău Mare 2021" ( "Greater Buzău 2021" ), that aimed to unite Buzău with the commune ofȚintești.[23]On 26 September 2021, areferendumwas done to decide this, but as only 10.03% of the population of Buzău voted, which is below the legal threshold requiring a voter turnout of 30%, the results were considered null and Țintești and Buzău were left separate.[24]

Historical buildings[edit]

Vergu-Mănăilă house is the oldest habitable building in Buzău, dating from the 1780s. Except for a few churches, it is the only building from the time of successive destructions of Buzău (17th and 18th centuries). It hosts the ethnography exhibit of the County Museum.

Eight historical monuments classified as having national importance exist in Buzău: the church of the Birth of Christ (1649, also known colloquially as the "Greeks' church" or the "Merchants' church" ) along with its belfry; the courthouse (20th century); the church of the Annunciation from the former Banu monastery (16th century); the church of the Dormition in Broșteni district, (1709, along with the belfry erected in 1914); the headquarters of the orthodox bishopric with the church of the Dormition (1649), the chapel (1841), the episcopal palace (17th century), the old seminary (1838), the chancellery (19th century), gate belfry and the compound wall (18th century); the Vergu-Mănăilă mansion (18th century, which currently hosts the ethnography exhibit of the County Museum); Vasile Voiculescu County Library (1914); and the Communal Palace (city hall, 1899–1903).[25]

One public forum monument and twelve memorial monuments are included in the list of historical monuments in Buzău County with local importance, including the urban area of Cuza Vodă street (19th century) in the old town,Crâng park,the Albatros Villa (that used to belong toAlexandru Marghiloman) and the park, the Jewish temple, the buildings ofB.P. HasdeuandMihai Eminescuhigh-schools, a house whereHortensia Papadat-Bengesculived for a few years, and some of the tombs in Dumbrava cemetery, such as one that was originally decorated with the statue "Prayer" byConstantin Brâncuși(nowadays replaced by a replica).[25]

Geography[edit]

The city is located in the center of the county, 100 km north-east ofBucharest,in the south-east of Romania, taking up a total area of 81.3 km2(31.4 sq mi), at the outermost curvature of the Subcarpathian foothills, at the crossroads of the three main Romanian historical provinces:Wallachia,Transylvania,andMoldavia.It is entirely placed on the right bank ofBuzău river,which forms its northern limit. The shape of the city is oblong, longer along the river and shorter across. It reaches altitudes of 101 meters in the north-west, near the foothills, going down to 88 meters on the riverbank, while the average altitude of 95 meters is the same as the altitude of Dacia square, in the city center.[26]Thus, Buzău is placed in a flat area, with a height difference of just 10 meters along a 4-kilometer line.[26]

Panoramic view of the west side of Buzău seen fromSpătaru,on national roadDN2B.The Curvature Subcarpathians are noticeable at the left. Main landmarks seen, starting from the left: the Ursus brewery at the edge of Simileasca district, apartment buildings of Micro 14 district,Crâng park and forest,Ice Magic skating rink,the City Stadium,Micro 12/Independenței district

Waterways[edit]

Buzău riveris the northern limit of the city. This river has created an underground basin that it permanently fuels with water.[27]These underground waters are a main source of drinking water, and their excess overflows to a marshy wetland south of the city, in the neighboring communesCostești,Stâlpu,andȚintești,with small but steadysprings,that ultimately form theCălmățui river.[28]

Climate[edit]

Annual rainfall is circa 500 mm[29]and in winter the snow cover can be as high as 30 cm.[29]The Buzău River has a fluctuating flow. Especially in spring, when it collects melted snow from the mountain area, its level rises. The city was, however, built away from its deep and wide valley, so the river never floods the city. Even at the major floods of 2005, the waters caused no problem in the city proper, but it seriously damaged both bridges across it located in the city,[30]which is also protected by levees, and by the small Cândești dam, north-west of Buzău.[31]The local authorities consider, however, that their strategy of defense against flood does not adequately cover the city's belt road, part ofDN2,which follows the river for a short stretch.[32]

The climate ishumid continental,classified asDfainKöppen climate classificationand asDcinTrewartha climate classification,with an average 92 freezing days a year (16 with temperatures below −10 °C), but also with 92 days of hot summer.[29]and 25.8 days with snow depth over 1 cm (0.39 in).[33]Local winds include theCrivăț,a cold north-easterly and sometimes easterly wind in winter, and theAustru,a south-westerly wind that brings dry air in summer and leads to warmer days in winter.[34]

Climate data for Buzău, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1901-present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 18.9
(66.0) 		28
(82) 		28
(82) 		31.5
(88.7) 		37.3
(99.1) 		38.5
(101.3) 		40.3
(104.5) 		39.7
(103.5) 		37
(99) 		35.3
(95.5) 		25
(77) 		21.6
(70.9) 		40.3
(104.5)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 3.3
(37.9) 		6.1
(43.0) 		11.8
(53.2) 		18.1
(64.6) 		23.8
(74.8) 		27.7
(81.9) 		29.9
(85.8) 		30.0
(86.0) 		24.4
(75.9) 		17.6
(63.7) 		10.3
(50.5) 		4.4
(39.9) 		17.3
(63.1)
Daily mean °C (°F) −0.8
(30.6) 		1.2
(34.2) 		5.9
(42.6) 		11.8
(53.2) 		17.5
(63.5) 		21.6
(70.9) 		23.7
(74.7) 		23.4
(74.1) 		18.0
(64.4) 		11.8
(53.2) 		5.8
(42.4) 		0.5
(32.9) 		11.7
(53.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −4.3
(24.3) 		−2.7
(27.1) 		1.3
(34.3) 		6.4
(43.5) 		11.7
(53.1) 		15.9
(60.6) 		17.9
(64.2) 		17.8
(64.0) 		12.9
(55.2) 		7.6
(45.7) 		2.3
(36.1) 		−2.7
(27.1) 		7.0
(44.6)
Record low °C (°F) −29.6
(−21.3) 		−25
(−13) 		−17
(1) 		−5.3
(22.5) 		−2
(28) 		4.6
(40.3) 		7.5
(45.5) 		5.4
(41.7) 		−2
(28) 		−8
(18) 		−17.6
(0.3) 		−23.3
(−9.9) 		−29.6
(−21.3)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches) 22.3
(0.88) 		18.4
(0.72) 		28.0
(1.10) 		41.2
(1.62) 		64.8
(2.55) 		82.1
(3.23) 		73.0
(2.87) 		47.9
(1.89) 		46.7
(1.84) 		45.3
(1.78) 		31.4
(1.24) 		30.2
(1.19) 		531.3
(20.92)
Average precipitation days(≥ 1.0 mm) 4.7 3.8 5.0 6.4 8.7 8.7 7.1 5.1 4.7 5.0 4.8 4.9 68.9
Mean monthlysunshine hours 87.8 114.2 158.6 200.1 265.3 280.3 315.9 300.6 221.1 160.7 98.2 78.9 2,281.7
Source 1:NOAA[33]
Source 2: Romanian National Statistic Institute (extremes 1901–2000),[35](extremes 2001–present)[36]

Flora and fauna[edit]

Crâng park, the main green area

The flora of Buzău is more diverse in the western forest of Crâng, 189 ha ofoakforest, a remainder of the ancientCodrii Vlăsiei.The Crâng park itselftakes up 10 hectares of this forest and makes up the main green area of Buzău. It is not designated as a protected area itself, but a few species of plants are protected inside it, such as thefritillaria meleagrisandiris brandzae.[37]In the neighboring communes ofȚinteștiandCosteștithere are other remainders of Codrii Vlăsiei— Frasinu and Spătaru forests, respectively. In the yard of the building at the intersection of Crizantemelor and Tudor Vladimirescu streets, across the street from the park in front of B. P. Hasdeu high school and the Banu church, there is a century-oldoak,locally protected as a monument of nature.[38]6% of theLunca Buzăuluiprotected area, a Natura 2000 site managed by the Ecological University of Bucharest, lies within city limits, in the north and east.[39]

Most of the streets in Buzău have trees planted alongside,chestnuton Nicolae Bălcescu boulevard andlindenon Unirii boulevard. In their gardens, the locals growroses,hyacinths,tulips,localpeonies,andpetunia,as well asgrapevinesandVirginia creepersfor shade. The wild fauna in Buzău is made up of city-dwelling species. Thehouse sparrowand thecollared doveare ubiquitous, and the most present small mammals are thewild polecatand thebrown rat.Lakes are populated with small fish, such asbitterlingsandeel,as well assnailsandgreen lizards.[40]

During the migration season, a parliament ofshort-eared owlshas made a habit of spending a few days in some tall fir trees located in the yard of the Forestry Inspector's Office in the city center.[41]Experimental crops from the city's Research and Development Station forOlericulturesometimes attractwild boarsfrom the riverside forests.[42]

Demographics[edit]

Ethnic composition of Buzău

Romanians (88.42%)
Roma (4.73%)
Unknown (6.69%)
Others (0.14%)

Religious composition of Buzău

Orthodox Christians (91.98%)
Unknown (6.74%)
Other religions (1.27%)

According to the2011 census,the city has 115,494 inhabitants, a decrease from the previous census, in 2002, when 134,227 had been recorded.[43]Most inhabitants areRomanians(88.43%), with aRomaminority (4.73%). Ethnic affiliation is unknown for 6.69% of the population.[44]Most inhabitants practiceOrthodox Christianity(91.98%). Religious affiliation is unknown for 6.75% of the population.[45]

Ethnic communities[edit]

The main ethnic minority in the city are theRoma.Throughout history, other communities have existed in Buzău, but nowadays they are nearly extinct. Those that left their mark the most on the city were theJewish peopleand theBulgarians.

Roma[edit]

Settled after the 16th century by the Orthodox bishopric on its estate located north-west of the market town of Buzău, in Simileasca and Iorguleasca villages, Roma people have lived asslaveswho worked on the bishopric's land.[46]After they were freed in the 19th century and, with the union between Wallachia and Moldavia, the new country got a new territorial division, Simileasca became a commune. In 1968, this commune was dissolved and integrated with Buzău. The Roma community is still located mostly in this part of the city, and it preserves its identity, although its leaders believe that Roma people in other parts of the city, who no longer speak their people's language, accept assimilation by the majority Romanians, and declare themselves Romanian at the census.[47]The community is faced with endemic poverty, high illiteracy, lack of professional qualifications and high school dropout rates, which all expose it to permanently being manipulated by politicians for elections.[48]Many Roma people went abroad, especially in the countries of Northern Europe.[49][50]The municipality also runs programs to improve theirs status, and School no. 14, located in Simileasca, is the main focus of these actions.[50]Pupils of this school publish a bilingual school newspaper, inRomaniandRomanian,which promotes Roma integration into society.[51]

Jews[edit]

The Jewish synagogue in Buzău

Although mentioned in documents as early as the 16th century, theJewsof Buzău became an especially important community starting with the cultural and economical development period of the 19th century. A large proportion of them were merchants and craftsmen. The Jewish cemetery appeared in 1853 and a temple dates from 1885. Between the two World Wars, 10% of the population of Buzău was Jewish,[52]a large percentage compared to other cities in Wallachia, but significantly smaller than those in Moldavia, which saved the community from the brunt of therepression by Antonescu's government.Still, duringWorld War II,the Jews had to endure some persecutions: obligated to do compulsory work (authorities abused of the law, and extended the age of the people who had to do this work, as well as the body of the work itself), and to pay 15 million lei (four times the tax) for "The Reunification Loan"; certain types of objects were confiscated from them and special restrictions were imposed. The community had to host orphans whose parents were murdered inthe Holocaust,before they were deported toTransnistria.[53]During these persecutions, the Jewish community was defended by captains Stroie and Ionescu, by the Scânteie and Stahu families,[54]and byAnghel Anuțoiufrom Vrancea, a man who informed members of the community of upcoming Nazi raids, saving many lives, including that of Rabbi Simon Bercovich, whom he aided to leave the city and go into hiding.[55][56]After the war, most Jews of the city moved to Israel, and left behind a Jewish community of only a few tens of people. Some of the personalities of the Jewish community in Buzău were painterMargareta Sterianand philosopherLudwig Grunberg.[54]

Bulgarians ( "Serbs" )[edit]

In the 18th century, to avoidOttomanrepression against Christians in the Balkans, groups of Bulgarians settled inWallachiawhere they enjoyed freedom to practice Christianity; some of these groups came to Buzău. The locals called them "Serbs" as a generic term for South-Slavs. The new immigrants soon started developingvegetable gardensas their houses were in the vicinity of the river that provided them with plenty of water, while local farmers were focusing more on raising livestock and growing cereals. Although the Bulgarian community was in time assimilated by the Romanians, to this day locals use the word "Serb" as a synonym to "one who grows vegetables".[57]

Government[edit]

Buzău is administered by a mayor and a local council consisting of 23 councillors. The mayor, Constantin Toma, of theSocial Democratic Party(PSD), has been in office since 2016.[58]After the2020 local elections,the local council has the following political makeup:[59]

Party Seats Current Council
Social Democratic Party(PSD) 16
National Liberal Party(PNL) 3
People's Movement Party(PMP) 2
Save Romania Union(USR) 2

Buzău is not subdivided into any lower units, but local authorities guide their projects and strategies according to an informal division by districts. InStrategia 2014–2020,a strategical document of the mayor's office, the following districts of Buzău were identified: Center, Micro 12/Indepenedenței, Marghiloman, Dorobanți, Nicolae Bălcescu, Simileasca, Micro 14, Poștă, Mihai Viteazul, Pod Horticolei, Luceafărul, Broșteni and the Industrial Zone.[60]

Buzău takes on the administrative role of capital ofBuzău County,therefore almost all county-level public services are headquartered there. Additionally, at national level, Buzău is the headquarters of the2nd Infantry Division(Getica;former 2nd Romanian Army), one of the three divisions that make up theRomanian Land Forces,[61]as well as three battalions under its command— one of engineers, one of signals,[62]and one of logistics. Near the city, in the village ofBoboc,there is a military aviation school.

The highest court functioning in the city is the Buzău Tribunal, with authority over the entire county.[63]The jurisdiction of the Tribunal covers all the four local courts (judecătorii) in the county, of which Buzău Local Court is in the city and takes cases related to Buzău and 34 surrounding communes, the largest jurisdiction of the four.[64]The higher court to all these is the Court of Appeals in Ploiești.[65]

In the Romanian Parliament, Buzău elects deputies on the lists associated withBuzău County.Of the seven deputies elected in 2016 on these lists, six (social democratsMarcel Ciolacu,Ionela Viorela Dobrică,Sorin Lazăr,Dănuț Păle,Nicolaie-Sebastian-Valentin Radu;andAdrian Mocanufrom thePeople's Movement Party) have their office in Buzău, while only theliberalCristinel Romanescuhas his inRâmnicu Sărat.[66]

In the late 19th century, local statesmanAlexandru Marghiloman,owner of a large estate and a mansion near the city, became prominent.[67]Germanofile, Marghiloman was prime minister around the end ofWorld War I,when Romania was compelled to sign theTreaty of Bucharest of 1918and began the process of integratingBessarabia,which had proclaimed its union with Romania in mid-April of that year.[68]Another known contemporary politician from Buzău isCătălin Predoiu;initially, an independent Minister of Justice in the government ofCălin Popescu-Tăriceanu,[69]Predoiu became a member of the National Liberal Party (PNL), after which he quit in 2008 to continue as minister, and in 2013 has attempted to obtain the presidential nomination of theDemocratic Liberal Party(PDL) for the next year's election;[70]eventually, that party merged with the PNL, who nominated Klaus Iohannis, and Predoiu became shadow prime-minister.[71]

Economy[edit]

Economic history[edit]

During the Middle Ages, Buzău's economy was based on trade, as the market town began as a customs and exchange point, and developed due to its position at the curvature of the Carpathians, in a place where roads that connected Wallachia toMoldaviaandTransylvaniamet. The old market town tradition is still preserved in theDrăgaicafair, held every June aroundMidsummer,bringing together small producers and merchants from diverse regions of Romania.

The agricultural reform duringAlexandru Ioan Cuzaled some of the Bulgarian gardeners to rent in 1897 și 1898 some land acquired by the state from the bishopric. The developed a distribution network for their produce both in Buzău, and in other nearby cities such asBrașov,Ploiești,orRâmnicu Sărat.Their activity became even more lucrative after the land reform of 1921.[72]

After the period of repeated invasions and destruction ended in the 19th century, the economy began to industrialize as well. Towards the end of that century, the development of a Romanian railway network made Buzău one of its important hubs and pushed the small craftsmen's shops to evolve into industrial installations. The first such facility was theGaroflid mill,open in 1883, that worked also as aclothfactory.[73]În 1894, anoilrefinery of theSaturnsociety was built; this refinery was to function for 50 years.

After a dramatic nationwide decrease caused by theFirst World War(the 1919 output was a quarter of the one in 1913[73]), the industrial development picked up steam during the interbellum. One of the main components of the local industry wasmilling.The first industrial mill in the city,Garoflid,renamedZangopolafter its new owner, had reached a capital of 5 millionleiin 1928 and, 30 de million in 1938, while the company that operated it had around 100 employees.[74]Another business started at this time wasMetalurgica și Turnătorie – S.A.(Metallurgy and Foundry), founded in 1928 with a capital of over 9 million lei. Although it had an initially difficult period, as it was closed during theGreat Depression,it was reopened in 1933, only to be closed again in 1940 and 1944, during World War II.[19]

Buzău window factory in 1970

AfterWorld War II,on 11 June 1948 all factories were requisitioned by the Communist government, who also began a program of forced industrialization, even though some of the industries that were being developed were unfit to the region.[75]In 1965, the 318haBuzău South industrial platform began to be built around the old location of theSaturnrefinery, blown up during the war. It was the location of the city's most important factories that were developed at the time: the Steel Wire and Steel Wire Products Enterprise (after 1990,Ductil), the Railway Machinery Enterprise (after 1990,Apcarom),Metalurgica(the one founded in 1928), the Glass and Windows Factory (after 1991,Gerom S.A.).

The "Contactoare" electrical relays factory in Buzău

Other facilities were located in other parts of the city, such as the Contactors Enterprise, in the north-east, and the Plastic Works (after 1990,Romcarbon S.A.) in the north.

Despite the forced industrialization, Buzău was spared from becoming dependent on a single industry, and there was no single point of failure for the city's economy. According to the new law of commerce of 1990, that came after thefall of Communism,these factories were organised as state-owned companies, and were privatised. Most of them survived the transition to amarket economy,as many of them thus became viable.

Present economy[edit]

Currently, the largest Buzău-based company is Romet, aholding companymade up of multiple firms that produse isolation materials for water and gas pipes, water filters, fire extinguishers and other related products. It was successful in the 1990s, with theAquatorhome water purifier. In 1999, it also acquiredAromet S.A.,the company that operated the 1928Metalurgicafactory.[76]

Ductil steel wire factory

Other Buzău-based companies were privatised by programs supervised by theWorld Bank.Apcarom S.A.,the only Romanian producer of railway equipments,[77]was acquired by the Austrian company VAE, and in 2008 had a capital of 7.38 million lei.[78]Ductil S.A.,one of the largest companies in the city, was privatised in 1999 and divided subsequently, during 1999–2000 by the new majority shareholder, FRO Spa, who only kept the electrodes and welding equipment facilities, and sold out the others. The steel wire, welded metal net, concrete and iron works becameDuctil Steel S.A.and passed to the Italian company Sidersipe.[79]The iron powder works becameDuctil Iron Powder.In 2007, FRO Spa soldDuctil S.A.to the Russian companyMechel,for 90 million euro.[80]Zahărul S.A.,the town's sugar producer, was acquired byAgrana România,an Austrian-based group that also owned other sugar factories inRoman,a starch factory inȚăndăreiand a juice facility inVaslui.[81]

Milling is still present on the local market: the largest local producer isBoromir Prod,controlled by businessman Constantin Boromiz,[82]owner of theBoromirgroup, who also owns Boromir Ind Vâlcea, PanmedMediașand ComcerealSibiu.[82][83]

The economy is still more oriented towards industry rather than services, which, according to a 2016 survey of the World Bank, made it more attractive to the labor force of lower qualification (at best with a high school degree). The same survey showed that most of the labor force in the city came from within the county, as Buzău is the center of a highly rural, compact and densely populated area. The city was found to be in competition with larger cities for the labor force from other counties, a feature it shares withAlexandria.The proximity of Bucharest makes Buzău itself a source of internal migration, thus orbiting the capital city. Buzău is the second city (closely afterPloiești,a city with almost double the population), by the number of employees in Bucharest coming from other cities between 1991 and 2011; the survey points out that this has been a disadvantage, but might become an opportunity in the future.[84]

Transport[edit]

The main railway station in Buzău
City bus on route 1, near the Buzău railway station

Rail[edit]

Buzău is one of the main hubs ofRomanian Railways,as it connectsBucharestandPloieștiwithFocșani,GalațiandConstanța.The city railway station was open in 1872, along with the Bucharest-Galați railway.[85]

A branch of this railway, from Buzău to Mărășești was opened a few years later, on13 June1881,[86]and it was the first railway designed by Romanian engineers.[87]

The Buzău-Nehoiașu line, open in 1908, connects Buzău to the smaller towns and villages along theBuzău Rivervalley, includingNehoiuandPătârlagele.[88]

Road[edit]

Buzău is crossed by national roadDN2(part ofEuropean route E85), which connects the city toBucharestto the south and toRâmnicu Săratand the main cities ofWestern Moldaviato the north. National roadDN1B(European Route E577) branches out of DN2 in Buzău. This road connects the city toPloiești.In the north of the city,DN10also branches from DN2. It crosses the Carpathians at their south-eastern curvature throughBuzău PasstowardsBrașov.The south of Buzău is also crossed by national road DN2B, which branches from DN2 în the neighboring commune of Costești, leading eastward toGalațiandBrăila.In Buzău, county road DJ203D branches from DN2B. It leads south toȚinteștiandSmeeni,where it ends inDN2C[ro],a road along which it helps connect Buzău toSlobozia.[89]

In the Buzău city area, the only functional road bridge over Buzău River is the one crossing with DN2 toMărăcineni.There is another road bridge, connecting the city toVadu Pașii,near the railway bridge. It was however closed after it was destroyed by a flash flood in 2005, and repairs kept being postponed, which had an impact on the economy of the neighboring communes in the north-east of the city, as it remains used only by pedestrians and cyclists.[90][91]Works began in the fall of 2017.[92]The bridge was renovated and opened for cars and buses again in 2021.[93]

Two main bust stations, one in the north and one in the south next to the railway station, as well a few other secondary bus stops, are used by private transportation companies that operate services to other cities or nearby villages.[94]

Air[edit]

Buzău has no civil airport. The only air transport infrastructure present in the city is the military airport and heliport south-west of the city, but it is used only by emergency sanitary flights.[95]Civil air traffic for Buzău is performed throughHenri Coandă International AirportinOtopeni,110 km away, the main air hub for Wallachia.[96]

Public transportation[edit]

10 bus lines connect residential areas to industrial areas (including Buzău South industrial platform), the city center and the railway station.[97]There are a few taxi companies licensed by the city also operating in the surrounding villages.[98]

Education and culture[edit]

TheVasile Voiculescumemorial county library in Buzău

The first school in Buzău was the school for church and icon painters, opened byChesarie Căpățână,the bishop of Buzău. The school functioned at the bishopric of Buzău, and was managed byNicolae Teodorescu.Gheorghe Tattarescustarted learning painting here.

The city's most important educational landmark is theBogdan Petriceicu HasdeuNational College,attended by the Nobel prize winnerGeorge Emil Paladein his youth. TheHasdeuhigh school was inaugurated in 1867.

The city's public library was opened in 1893, under the name ofCarol IPublic Library.Later it took the name ofVasile Voiculescu,Buzău's most prominent author, writer, and poet.

Buzău County Museum

TheGeorge Ciprianstage theatre was created in 1996. It does not have an acting crew of its own, relying on contracts. Its first manager was playwrightPaul Ioachim.

The first university in the city was the Economic University College, inaugurated in 1992, a branch of theAcademy of Economic StudiesinBucharest.

The main museum in Buzău is theBuzău County Museum,which exhibits items related to the region's history. The same museum oversees theethnographyexhibition at theVergu-Mănăilă House,as well as theAmberMuseuminColțiand theVasile Voiculescu Memorial HouseinPârscov.

Coat of Arms[edit]

Coat of arms of Buzău
ArmigerCity Government
CrestAmural crownof seven towers
SupportersNone
MottoNone
UseOn the City hall's and Local Council's documents

The coat of arms of Buzău is theheraldicsymbol standing for the city of Buzău, Romania. The city's first recorded coat of arms dates back to 1831, and since then, the coat of arms has mostly kept its features, under different designs.

Description and symbolism[edit]

The shield is parted by a wavy azure fess. The upper half further parted per pale. In the right quarter, on azure, there is the image of the city's Communal Palace standing on a vert terrace. In the left corner, on gules, amaceand asword,argent, crossed, with an or crown on top. The lower half shows, on argent, aPhoenix bird,sable, rising from a gules bonfire.

The bludgeon and sword stand for the battles that have taken place around the city, throughout history, and the Phoenix (symbol of rebirth) symbolizes the repeated reconstruction undergone by Buzău during the early modern times, as the city was destroyed by war and natural disasters, and depopulated by epidemics.

The shield is topped by amural crownwith seven towers, which shows the city's status as a county seat.

The first recorded coat of arms of Buzău, 1831

History[edit]

The first seal of Buzău dates back to the year 1831 and shows a Phoenix bird and a church. The church stood for the bishopric based in Buzău, while the Phoenix bird stood for the periods of destruction and subsequent reconstruction that the city had recently undergone.

The Communal Palace, inaugurated in 1901, became a symbol of the city and eventually made its way on the official coat of arms. Thus, the inter-war coat of arms of Buzău is similar to the present one, except for the mural crown which only had five towers, and a golden border on the shield.

Coat of arms of Buzău, 1970-1989

AfterWorld War II,no symbol was used until 1970, when thecommunist governmentadopted a set of new insignia for the Romanian cities. The 1970 coat of arms was divided party per fess, with an inescutcheon divided party per pale and charged with the crest of Communist Romania (hammer and sickle symbol of theRomanian Communist Partyon red, dexter; flag of Romania, sinister). The upper half was divided party per pale, azure and gules, with an argent Communal Palace on the right quarter, and industrial towers on the left quarter. The lower half retained the sable Phoenix rising from the gules bonfire, which had, by then, become the main symbol of Buzău.

After theRomanian Revolution of 1989,the Communist symbol was abolished and, again, the city was left without a coat of arms until 2006, when the present coat of arms was approved by the Romanian government.

People from Buzău[edit]

Prominent mayors[edit]

Twin towns – sister cities[edit]

See also:List of twin towns and sister cities in Romania

Buzău istwinnedwith:[99]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^"Results of the 2020 local elections".Central Electoral Bureau.Retrieved16 June2021.
  2. ^"Populaţia rezidentă după grupa de vârstă, pe județe și municipii, orașe, comune, la 1 decembrie 2021"(XLS).National Institute of Statistics.
  3. ^Petcu, p. 19
  4. ^Petcu, p. 20
  5. ^abBuzău, mică enciclopedie istorică, pp. 23–24
  6. ^Petcu, p. 23
  7. ^Petcu 2002,pp. 120
  8. ^Petcu 2002,p. 35
  9. ^Petcu, pp. 30–34
  10. ^Petcu, pp. 123–124
  11. ^abPetcu 2002,p. 53
  12. ^Petcu 2002,pp. 43–44
  13. ^Petcu 2002,p. 58
  14. ^"Casele lui Caragiale"[Caragiale's houses] (in Romanian). Adevărul. 30 January 2002.Retrieved12 October2007.
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  16. ^Ștefan 1985,pp. 58–61
  17. ^The Mesopotamian Front Awakens – Joseph Joffre Gets Sacked I THE GREAT WAR Week 125onYouTube,The Great Warby Indy Neidell. Time index 7:44.
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  19. ^abBuzău. Mică enciclopedie istorică, p. 255
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  21. ^Petcu 2002,p. 94
  22. ^Petcu 2002,p. 90
  23. ^"Buzăul Mare 2021: Municipiul Buzău vrea să-și dubleze suprafața prin alipirea unei comune adiacente / Viitoarea autostrada A7 ar urma să treacă prin mijlocul noii localități".HotNews(in Romanian). 6 July 2021.
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  26. ^abPetcu, pp. 102–103
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  28. ^Planul Urbanistic General, pagina 6
  29. ^abcPetcu, pp.104–105
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  32. ^Strategia Buzau 2014–2020, pp 25–26, 31
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  43. ^"Recensământul Populației și al Locuințelor 2002 – populația unităților administrative pe etnii".Kulturális Innovációs Alapítvány (KIA.hu – Fundația Culturală pentru Inovație). Archived fromthe originalon 14 October 2013.Retrieved6 August2013.
  44. ^Rezultatele finale ale Recensământului din 2011:"Tab8. Populația stabilă după etnie – județe, municipii, orașe, comune".Institutul Național de Statisticădin România. July 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 18 January 2016.Retrieved5 August2013.
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  46. ^Simileasca (Iorguleasca), com. rur.Vol. 5. p. 389.
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  50. ^abGeorge Lixandru,"Țiganii pe care nu-i vede Mircea Toma." Tiggarna "– Cerșetorii care au invadat Borås în Suedia vin din Buzău, satul Similesca. Foto reportaj Borås Tidning și George Lixandru – Ziaristi Online",Ziaristionline.ro,retrieved28 April2015
  51. ^Silvia Herghelegiu,"Fiica regelui Cioabă, cooptată în editarea revistei bilingve pentru romii din Simileasca",Opinia,archived fromthe originalon 15 March 2016,retrieved28 April2015
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References[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toBuzău.
  • Petcu, Gheorghe; Constantin Stan; Doina Ciobanu; Constanța Tănase; Doina Filoti (2002).Municipiul Buzău. Monografie(in Romanian). Buzău: Editura Alpha.ISBN978-973-8054-81-3.
  • Ștefan, Corneliu (1985).La noapte, Cotidianul(in Romanian). Bucharest: Editura Eminescu.
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