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city of Galați County, in the historical region of Moldavia, eastern Romania. Galați is a port town on
the Danube River.[4][5] In 2011, the Romanian census recorded 249,432 residents,[2] making it the
8th most populous city in Romania. Galați is a major economic centre based around the port of
Galați, the naval shipyard, the ArcelorMittal Galați steel plant and mineral exports.
Contents
[hide]
History[edit]
Ancient origins[edit]
Archeological evidence points to occupation of the region in the neolithic period. For example, north
west of the town of Galați, on the eastern shores of the Malina marshes, fragments of ceramic-type
Stoicani Aldeni, stilex and tools made of bone have been found. A stone sceptre, from the late
Bronze Age, belonging to the Coslogeni culture was found on the marshes' southern bank. Galați
town itself developed from an ancient Dacian settlement of the sixth and fifth centuries BCE where
there was a ford across the Danube river. In 101 to 102 and 105 to 106, the Dacians fought wars
against the Romans and the area became part of the Roman empire. A strong Roman fortress was
built at Barboși to defend the ford across Danube. From the 300s a Daco-Roman settlement
developed at a ford south of the site of the Church of the Virgin.
Medieval period[edit]
There is evidence of continuous inhabitation of Galați since the 600s. A treasure hoard consisting of
12 silver coins issued between 613 and 685 was found in a Byzantine tomb near the Church of the
Virgin. Western and Byzantine coins from the time of Emperor Michael IV (1034–1041) were also
found. At one time[when?], the city became part of the Republic of Genoa Territories and was called
"Caladda".[8] In 1445, a document signed by Stephen II of Moldavia mentions Galați. In
1484, Chilia was conquered by Ottomans. Galați township remained Moldova's only port, not only for
domestic trade but also for trade with Turkey and Poland. In 1590, the Galați Jewish cemetery was
opened.
18th century[edit]
Galați in 1826
19th century[edit]
Due to unrest in this part of Europe, Galați port became a site for the construction of large warships.
Abbot Boskov, a Romanian traveller, stated:
"I saw a large boat, the way those who say Turks caravels, which is on site, ready to be
launched into the water. He was commissioned by Isaac-aga, big tax collector of
Constantinople. The ship was huge, seventeen seventy steps, and loaded with eighty-four
bronze cannons."
Massacre of 1821[edit]
In the Greek–Turkish war of 1821, Ottoman subjects were killed in Galați (and in other towns).
This was the result of a series of rebellions by members of the port workers' association and city
clerks. [clarification needed][citation needed]
Growth through trade[edit]
Despite the wars and unrest, Galați developed based on trade (especially grain exports). In
1805, France and England established vice-consulates. In 1832, the School of the Holy
Archangels Michael and Gabriel is founded. Two years later, in 1834, Austrian ships were
having scheduled arrivals and in 1837, Galați was declared a free port (this was revoked in
1882). In 1850, James Buchanan, the U.S. president, sent a vice-consul to Galați and the U.S.
opened a consulate in 1858. Galați was also a trading port for German lands. When the Crimean
War (1854–1856) finished, Galați became a seat of the Danube European Commission. In 1869,
the Mihai Eminescu municipal park opened and by 1870, factories were opening. By, 1908 they
numbered 41. On 13 September 1872, the King Charles I railway station and northern city rail
tunnel opened. The River station opened shortly after on 24 September 1880. In 1889, the V. A.
Urechia library opened.
Growth through unity[edit]
After the union of the Romanian principalities in 1859, with Alexandru Ioan Cuza as leader,
development in Galați increased. Zeletin wrote,
"The birth of the modern Romanian state must distinguish two main currents – one
exuberant but superficial, based on liberal ideas which depart from Paris to Bucharest and
Iași. The other is quieter but deep, leaving from London to Galați and Brăila: English is the
current capitalist economy." (Romanian Bourgeoisie, Zeletin, Stephen.)[citation needed]
1900–1947[edit]
Between 1900 and the beginning of World War I, Galați continued its trade in grain and
timber with sixteen consulates. Galați was part of Covurlui County.
In 1907, social unrest among the peasant classes precipitated intervention by the Romanian
army. In 1911, a statue of the poet Mihai Eminescu was erected.
World War I[edit]
Main article: Battle of Galați
Galați remained under Romanian control during World War I. Romanian soldiers fought
alongside those of Russia against the army of the Central Powers.[citation needed] Galați
was bombed by retreating Russian troops in January 1918.[9]
Interwar period[edit]
In 1919, a high school for Jewish students opened. A first air race between Galați and
Bucharest was held in 1926. The 1930 Romanian census recorded 100,000 residents in
Galați. After Bucharest, Chișinău, Iași and Cernăuți, Galați was Romania's fifth city. In 1938,
the Ținutul Dunării de Jos (Lower Danube Land) was established.
World war II[edit]
During World War II, Galați was bombed by the Soviet Air Forces and Luftwaffe. The railway
station, inaugurated on 13 September 1872, was destroyed as were many other historic
buildings and most of the old town. On 27 August 1944, Galați was captured
by Soviet troops of the 3rd Ukrainian Front in the course of the Jassy–Kishinev Offensive.
Jewish community[edit]
Before World War II Galați hosted 22 synagogues and in 1926, it was the base for the
Zionist Revisionist Organization of Romania. Although Galați's Jewish community suffered
persecution by the pro-Nazi authorities during World War II, the community was not
destroyed in the Holocaust. Since the 1940s the community has gradually diminished
through emigration.
Contemporary period[edit]
In 2004, Romania's first information technology park opened in Galați.
2005 flood[edit]
On 14 July 2005, Galați was affected by widespread flooding. The Siret river reached record
levels and across Romania, the death toll reached 21.[12] In 2010, broken flood barriers
caused flooding of the Valley City area of Galați.
Geography[edit]
Topography[edit]
Galați is located in southeastern Romania. Its coordinates are latitude 45 ° 27 'north and
longitude 28 ° 02' east. Its area is 246.4 square kilometers (95.1 sq mi). Galați lies in the
southern part of the Moldavian Plateau on the left (west) bank of the Danube river at the
junction of the Siret River (west) and the Prut River (east), near Lake Brates. It is 80
kilometers (50 mi) from the Black Sea. The nearest town is Brăila, 15 kilometers (9.3 mi) to
the south. Galați is built on three geological terraces. One lies beneath "Valley City", with
elevations between 5 and 7 metres (16 and 23 ft). The other two, which make a fan shape,
have elevations of 20–25 meters (66–82 ft) (the site of the old town, now the city centre) and
40 meters (130 ft) (the site of the modern city) respectively. The Danube river is considered
the "life-blood" of Galați. The Danube is the second longest river in Europe 2,850 km
[ 1,770 mi ]), with an average flow of 6,199 cubic meters (218,900 cu ft) per second in the
Galați section. After the Siret River, the largest tributary in Romania, joins the Danube, the
flow is 210 cubic meters per second (7,400 cu ft/s). After the Prut River joins the Danube,
the flow becomes 86 cubic meters per second (3,000 cu ft/s). The Danube river flows have
significant seasonal variation. The maximum flows occur in May; 18,000–19,000 m3/s or
640,000–670,000 cu ft/s. The minimum flows occur during the summer; 2,000–2,450 m3/s or
71,000–87,000 cu ft/s.
Climate[edit]
[hide]Climate data for Galați, Romania (1981–2010)
27 24 31 39 46 69 50
Average precipitation mm (inches)
(1.06) (0.94) (1.22) (1.54) (1.81) (2.72) (1.97)
Mean monthly sunshine hours 79 112 157 200 266 284 311
Source #2: Romanian National Statistic Institute (extremes 1901–2000),[14] NOAA (snowfall 1961–1990),[15] De
Galați has a continental climate (Köppen climate classification "Dfa" – summer wetter than
winter, European subtype) with four distinct seasons. Summers are very warm with
temperatures sometimes exceeding 35 °C (95 °F) while winters are cold and dry with
temperatures at night sometimes dropping below −10 °C (14 °F). Average monthly
precipitation ranges from about 28 to 68.6 mm (1.1 to 2.7 in) in June.
Cityscape[edit]
Urban planning[edit]
In 2005, Galați ranked in the top two cities in Romania for green space per capita.[citation
needed]
Urban planning and maintenance activities are governed by the "Public Administration
Public Domain Galați" (SPADP) Ecosal Prest, SC RER Ecological Service SRL, SC Citadine
98 SA.[citation needed]
Places of interest[edit]
Roman camp at Tirighina-Barbosi[edit]
Main article: Castra of Tirighina-Bărboși
From 1959 to 1962, archeological excavations were carried out at the Roman castellum in
Barbosi. The site lies north of the Danube, near the mouth of the Siret. A comparison can be
made to the fortress at Dinogetia. The archeologists found clear stratigraphy in the
excavation. They located the Tirighina Dacian fortress, reinforced by an earthen bank. Finds
included Dacian pottery from an import business. Also found was a silver coin dating the
Dacian fortress to the first century BCE. A burning layer suggested damage to the fortress
by fire. Also found were coins dating from the rule of Augustus(63 BCE – 14 AD) through
to Nero (37AD – 68AD).
Lambrinidi House[edit]
Lambrinidi House
This house is located near the university, at 51 Royal Street. It was built by Lambrinidi
Epaminonda, a Greek mill owner. He owned a machine shop to repair ships. The Prince
Charles stayed at the house on a visit to Galați, in April 1879. It has served as the seat of
the Court of Appeals; the Mihail Kogalniceanu High School and, after the earthquake of
November 9, 1940, the city hall.
Robescu House[edit]
Robescu House was built about 1896. The architect was Ion Mincu. A Romanian tourist
website describes the building: :"Robescu House has an elevated basement, two levels with
two turret-balcony on the first floor and another balcony at the ground floor, to the street.
The exterior decorations are made in Brancoveanu style, glossy ceramic plates. The glossy
ceramic is used to decorate the floral upper register. Today it serves as the "Children's
Palace".[17]
Palace of Navigation (River Station)[edit]
This building was designed by Petre Antonescu. It dates to the late 19th century. It is the
office of "Maritime Danube Ports Administration" and Navrom, which controls Romania's
navigable waterways.[18]
Administrative Palace
University Palace[edit]
This former "Palace of Justice" is a prominent architectural monument in the Galați old town.
It was built between 1911 and 1913. Now, it is the university headquarters.
Lupa Capitolina[edit]
Meaning "Capitoline Wolf", this statue was erected in 1995 and reflects Roman influence in
Galați.
Administrative Palace[edit]
This building was erected in 1904 and 1905 and opened on 27 April 1906. Like Robescu
House, it was designed by Ion Mincu. Frederick Storck contributed white marble sculptures
of "industry" and "agriculture" at the top of the main façade. Other features are two bronze
flags and a large clock which plays the waltz, "Danube Waves" by Joseph Ivanovich (1845–
1902).
Places of worship[edit]
This is the oldest building in Galați. It was consecrated as a place of worship in September
1647 during the reign of Vasile Lupu. The church was dedicated to the Vatopedi
Monastery on Mount Athos. It was built from local materials including stone, forest wood,
brick and lime, sand from the beaches of the Danube and so on. As well as its typical
Romanian church architecture, the monastery has some specific elements of interest such
as a bell tower with battlements for observation of the Danube valley and for defense. The
tower has two levels and a room to hide assets. There are two ramparts and a door to a
balcony. The second floor is fitted with windows and battlements. Another of the church's
defences is a reinforced bridge consisting of two parts, one above the nave and one above
the altar. The bridge has 28 battlements. The church survived the turbulent periods of
Galați's history and was rebuilt and restored in 1829 and again in 1859. From 1953 to 1957,
the church was used as a museum. It was restored in the period 1991–1994. There may be
a tunnel from the church beneath the Danube.
Bulgarian Church[edit]
The Bulgarian Church in Galați
Construction of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church of Saint Pantaleon began in 1861 under the
guidance of Bulgarian National Revival figure Archimandrite Maxim Raykovich (1801–1874)
of Dryanovo. However, the lack of funds prolonged the construction works and the church
was only consecrated in 1887. The Bulgarian Church of Saint Pantaleon features a Neo-
Byzantine design with Slavic influences.[19]
Along with the church, Raykovich also founded a Bulgarian school which occupied an
adjacent house. The same house would become a hub for Bulgarian revolutionaries
persecuted by the Ottoman authorities. In 1871–72, Bulgaria's national poet Hristo
Botev lived in the house during a part of his exile, as a commemorative plaque still
reminds.[19]
Raykovich died in Galați in 1874 and was buried in the courtyard of the Bulgarian Church,
where his tombstone still stands.[19]
Greek Church[edit]
The cornerstone of the Greek Church was laid on 6 August 1866. The church was dedicated
to the "Transfiguration" on 17 September 1872 by the Bishop and
the Archimandrite Melchizedek Eughenie Xiropotamo. In the nave is a marble plaque with
the names of the founders and two marble plates with the names of the founders and major
benefactors. The church is a cruciform tower with two bell towers on the west side.
Papadopoulos of Adrianople was the artist. There are large icons representing the holy
virgin Mary with child, the resurrection, St. Gerasimos, St. Sophia, St. Gregory and St. Basil
the great. There are eight stained glass church windows containing the holy apostles Peter,
Andrew, Mark, Thomas, Bartholomew and Luke on the northern side and Paul Simon, John,
James, Philip, on the southern side.
St. Paraskeva Cathedral[edit]
This church is located together with the Cătușa cemetery in the southern part of Galați. Its
general construction was completed but the interior layout is not. The basement of the
Cathedral is a very small space, which will serve as a mortuary chapel. The official opening
of the interior was planned for 2012.
Church Mavromol[edit]
Mavromol is a former monastery. Its name means "black rock" in Greek. It was built in 1669
and dedicated to the Assumption by George Ducas (died 1685) and his son. There was
rebuilding between 1700 and 1703. During the revolution of 1821 the church was burned by
the Turks. The current building dates from 1858 to 1861 and respects the original plan.
Interior murals and other valuable elements were restored between 1973 and 1975. The
monks of the church taught at Galați's first school in 1765. They taught in Greek. (In 1803,
teaching was conducted in Romanian under the orders of Constantin Moruz). During the
Russo-Turkish War (1768–1774), and the Russo-Austrian-Turkish War (1787–1792),
Mavromol church was damaged and teaching ceased until 1803. The church is constructed
in the style of a basilica with apses beyond the main walls. The church has a carved wooden
icon of the "Virgin Mary" from the church of St. Sava Monastery in Bucharest. The ceiling is
composed of three parts separated by double arches. The entrance is on the south side
through a door marked by an icon and heraldic symbols: a bull's head and two lions. Also on
the south side is the coat of arms of Moldova, carved in a stone medallion. During
communist rule, the church, as a sacred place, was improperly appropriated.
The Church of St. Spyridon[edit]
Built in 1817, this church has four buttresses, three towers and a dome supported by
crossed arches. Although its murals are not maintained, it contains valuable icons.
Synagogue of Galați[edit]
There is only one remaining synagogue in Galați (near the Museum of History on
Domnească street).
Masonic Temple[edit]
The temple was built in 1896 on the site of a synagogue dating from 1806.
Schitul Vovidenia[edit]
This church was built in 1790. It is the site of the burial tomb of Smaranda Cuza, the mother
of Alexandru Ioan Cuza.[20] The original church was burned in the unrest of 1821 then
renovated in 1851. Above the nave, a dome is supported by arches crossed in the traditional
Moldovan style. There is a bell tower above the main dome, a smaller one above the altar
and another above the porch added in 1901.
Roman Catholic Church[edit]
Galați's Roman Catholic church was built in 1844 and expanded in 1873. It contains objects
of artistic as well as sacred value including a high altar made of marble; a painting of "St.
John the Baptist preaching"; a "Most Holy Heart" statue of Jesus Christ; Pietà statues and a
statue of Saint Francis of Assisi. The church was strengthened and renovated to its current
state between 1985 and 1988.
Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden dominates the left bank of the Danube at Galați. Its southern slope is
the site of the Museum of Natural History in Galați. The museum has collections of tropical
and subtropical plants (cactuses, euphorbias, palms, crotons, geraniums, begonias, etc.)
rosary chic, over 200 varieties of roses, flora and vegetation. There are over 3000
specimens of tree species and shrubs, an oak area with more than 50 examples of birch and
conifers, and a replica Japanese garden.
Garboavele Zoo and Reserve[edit]
Both are located at the northern exit of town. Garboavele Forest Zoo is included in the
Natural Sciences Museum Complex. The zoo keeps various exotic species. Riding
enthusiasts can practice their sport at the zoo. The zoo theme was developed together with
experts from European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, and aims to preserve rare animals
and provide conservation education.
Hunters Lake[edit]
Hunters Lake is located in Galați's far north-east. It covers 28 hectares of land including an
11 hectare natural lake; a 10 hectare forest of acacia; and 10 hectares of developed
parkland for recreation.
Neighborhoods[edit]
Port
Centru
Gară[21]
Parc Rizer[21]
Campus Universitar[21]
Mazepa 1
Mazepa 2[21]
Țiglina 1
Țiglina 2[21]
Țiglina 3 (Micro 16)
Țiglina 4 (Micro 17 and Micro 18)
Bariera Traian
Traian Nord
Barboși
I.C. Frimu
Siderurgiștilor Est[21]
Siderurgiștilor Vest[21]
Danube
Micro 13a
Micro 13b
Micro 14
Micro 19
Micro 20
Micro 21
Patinoar
Aviației
Micro 38
Micro 39a[21]
Micro 39b[21]
Micro 39c
Micro 40
Filești
Bădălan
Lozoveni
Dimitrie Cantemir
Cultural life[edit]
Theaters[edit]
Drama Theatre
Museums[edit]
Visual Arts Museum
Economy[edit]
Arcelor-Mittal Steel Works in 2006.
Galați has the largest iron and steel plant in Romania, the ArcelorMittal Galați, which was
state-owned until 2001. It is still commonly referred to as "Sidex", its old name.
Romania's largest shipyard is located in Galați. It benefits from easy access to the Black
Sea and from its co-location with the Mittal Plant.
Galați is also a border checkpoint to Moldova.
Demographics[edit]
Historical population
Year Pop. ±%
1900 62,678 —
Ethnography[edit]
The largest ethnic group in Galați are Romanians (98.54%). The second largest but less
than 1% of the total are the Roma (0.78%). In smaller numbers
are Lipovans (0.07%), Greeks (0.07%) and Hungarians (0.09%). Other groups number
0.27% in all.
Metropolitan area[edit]
Main article: Lower Danube metropolitan area
The metropolitan area is proposed to be formed from the cities of Galați and Brăila.
Education[edit]
University of Galați
Galați has educational facilities catering to all ages and scholastic levels. School Nr. 24
(Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel) is the oldest school in the county. It was founded in
1832. In 1896 it was located inside the Mitoc Monastery. On 26 October 1896 the current
school building was inaugurated.
The University of Galați, founded in 1974, includes 11 faculties (with two unique faculties in
Romania: The Faculty of Naval Architecture and Department of Food Science and
Engineering) and 3 colleges.
The "Danubius University" is a private institution with departments in legal, economic and
social studies fields.
Galați also hosts several specialized research institutes. Four are unique within
Romania: Icepronav (Research and Design Institute for Shipbuilding), Uzinsider Engineering
(Institute for Research and Design for flat metal products), the Research Institute of Fish and
the Wine Research Station Targu Bujor.
In February 2013, Galați was the host city of the general meeting of the National Student
Association, a forum of the Romanian Ministry of Education.
Libraries[edit]
V. A. Urechia Library[edit]
In 1889, the V. A. Urechia Library was founded through the benevolence of Vasile
Alexandrescu Urechia. In 1991, the library moved to a new purpose built site. The library
maintains its own local history collection as well as a rare book collection.
LCMHF[edit]
This library was established in 1939. It is associated with teacher training and hosts an
active literary circle.
Transportation[edit]
Trolleybus in Galați
Rail[edit]
Galați railway station has straight train services to cities such as Bucharest, Cluj-
Napoca, Brașov and Iași all year and in the summer to Constanța.
Road[edit]
Public transport[edit]
Public transport in Galați is provided by a combination of trams, trolleybuses, autobuses (all
of which are operated by TRANSURB, an agency of the municipality).
Dracula[edit]
In Bram Stoker's novel Dracula, Galați (Galatz) is the port at which Count
Dracula disembarked on his way back to Transylvania.
Meta Tempesta[edit]
This is a film about tunnels built in the ruins of Tirighina being used to protect Germans in
World War II. It was based on a play called The road to Constanta.
Danube Waves[edit]
This is a film made in Bucharest, in the "Film Production Center", Buftea. It was directed by
Liviu Ciulei, from a screenplay by Dumitru Munteanu Caraba and Francis. It stars Irina
Petrescu, who makes her debut as the wife of a barge driver. Lazarus Vrabie plays an
undercover officer. Ciulei is the barge driver. Lucian Pintilie played the part of a German
soldier.
Other[edit]
Video of Galați is seen in tourist documentaries, documentaries about World War II and clips
of Lautars singers.
International relations[edit]
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Romania