Coordinates: 46°35′N 26°55′E

Bacău
Bacău (UK: /ˈbækaʊ/ BAK-ow,[3] US: /bəˈkaʊ/ bə-
KOW,[3][4][5] Romanian: [baˈkəw] ( listen) ; German: Bacău
Bakau; Hungarian: Bákó; Latin: Bacovia) is the main city in Municipality
Bacău County, Romania. At the 2016 national estimation it
had a population of 196,883, making it the 12th largest city
in Romania. The city is situated in the historical region of
Moldavia, at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, and
on the Bistrița River (which meets the Siret River about 8
kilometres (5.0 mi) to the south of Bacău). The Ghimeș Pass
links Bacău to the region of Transylvania.

Contents
Etymology
History
Politics
Demographics
Transportation
Culture
Jewish community
International relations
Twin towns/Sister cities
Sports
People
Gallery
From top, left to right: Ascention Cathedral
See also of Bacău, Public library (Old City Hall), St.
References Nicholas Cathedral, Cancikov park, Oituz
Heroes monument, County Prefecture.
Notes
External links

Etymology
Flag
Coat of arms
The town's name, which features in Old Church Slavonic
documents as Bako, Bakova or Bakovia, comes most
probably from a personal name.[6] Men bearing the name
Bakó or Bako are documented in medieval Transylvania[7]
and in 15th-century Bulgaria, but according to Victor Spinei
the name itself is of Turkic – most probably of Cuman or
Pecheneg – origin.[8] Nicolae Iorga believes that the city's
name is of Hungarian origin (as Adjud and Sascut).[9]
Another theory suggests that the town's name has a Slavic
origin, pointing to the Proto-Slavic word byk, meaning "ox"
or "bull", the region being very suitable for raising cattle; the
term, rendered into Romanian alphabet as bâc, was probably
the origin of Bâcău.[10] In German it is known as Bakau, in
Hungarian as Bákó and in Turkish as Baka.

History
Similarly to most urban centers in Moldavia, Bacău emerged Location in Bacău County
on a ford that allowed water passage.[11] There is
archaeological evidence of human settlement in the centre of
Bacǎu (near Curtea Domneascǎ) dating from the 6th and
the 7th centuries; these settlements were placed over older
settlements from the 4th and the 5th centuries. A number of Bacău
vessels found here are ornamented with crosses, hinting that
the inhabitants were Christians.[12] Pechenegs and Cumans
controlled the Bistrița valley during the 10th, 11th and 12th
centuries.[13] Colonists played a significant role in the
development of the town.[14] Archaeological finds, some
surface or semi-buried dwellings from the second half of the
15th century, suggest that Hungarians started to settle in the Location in Romania
region after 1345–1347 when the territory was under the Coordinates: 46°35′N 26°55′E
control of the Kingdom of Hungary.[15] They mainly Country Romania
occupied the flat banks of the river Bistrița.[16] Discoveries County Bacău
of a type of 14th-century grey ceramic that has also been
Established 1408 (first official
found in Northern Europe also suggests the presence of
record)
German colonists from the north.[17] Originally the town
focused around the Roman Catholic community that settled Government
near a regular local market frequented by the population of • Mayor Cosmin Necula[1]
the region on the lower reaches of the river.[7] (PSD)
Area 43.19 km2
The town was first mentioned in 1408 when Prince (16.68 sq mi)
Alexander the Good of Moldavia (1400–1432) listed the Elevation 165 m (541 ft)
customs points in the principality in his privilege for Polish
merchants.[18][19] The customs house in the town is Population (2011)[2] 144,307
mentioned in Old Church Slavonic as krainee mîto ("the • Density 3,300/km2
customs house by the edge") in the document which may (8,700/sq mi)
indicate that it was the last customs stop before Moldavia's Time zone EET/EEST
border with Wallachia. [20] An undated document reveals (UTC+2/+3)
that the şoltuz in Bacău, that is the head of the town elected Postal code 600xxx
by its inhabitants, had the right to sentence felons to death, at Area code (+40) 234
least for robberies, which hints to an extended privilege, Vehicle reg. BC
similar to the ones that royal towns in the Kingdom of
Website municipiulbacau.ro
Hungary enjoyed.[21][22] Thus this right may have been
(https://municipiulba
granted to the community when the territory was under the cau.ro)
control of the Kingdom of Hungary.[7] The seal of Bacău
was oval which is exceptional in Moldavia where the seals of other towns were round.[23]
Alexander the Good donated the wax collected as part of the tax payable by the town to the nearby Orthodox
Bistrița Monastery.[24] It was most probably his first wife named Margaret who founded the Franciscan
Church of the Holy Virgin in Bacău.[25] But the main Catholic church in the town was dedicated to Saint
Nicholas.[7] A letter written by John of Rya, the Catholic bishop of Baia refers to Bacău as a civitas which
implies the existence of a Catholic bishopric in the town at that time.[25][26] The letter also reveals that Hussite
immigrants who had undergone persecutions in Bohemia, Moravia, or Hungary were settled in the town and
granted privileges by Alexander the Good.[27]

The monastery of Bistrița was also granted the income from the customs house of Bacău in 1439.[28] In 1435
Stephen II of Moldavia (1433–1435, 1436–1447) requested the town's judges not to hinder the merchants of
Brașov, an important center of the Transylvanian Saxons in their movement.[29][30] From the 15th century
ungureni, that is Romanians from Transylvania began to populate the area north of the marketplace where they
would erect an Orthodox church after 1500.[7] A small residence of the princes of Moldova was built in the
town in the first half of the 15th century.[31] It was rebuilt and extended under Stephen III the Great of
Moldavia (1457–1504) who also erected an Orthodox church within it.[31] But the rulers soon began to donate
the neighboring villages that had thereto supplied their local household to monasteries or noblemen.[32] Thus
the local princely residence was abandoned after 1500.[33]

The town was invaded and destroyed more than one time in the 15th and 16th centuries.[33] For example, in
1467 King Matthias I of Hungary during his expedition against Stephen the Great set fire to all towns, among
them Bacău in his path.[34] The customs records of Brașov shows that few merchants from Bacău crossed the
Carpathian Mountains into Transylvania after 1500, and their merchandise had no particularly high value
which suggests that the town was declining in this period.[33]

The Catholic bishop of Argeș whose see in Wallachia had been destroyed by the Tatars moved to Bacău in
1597.[33][35] From the early 17th century the bishops of Bacău were Polish priests who did not reside in the
town, but in the Kingdom of Poland.[36] They only travelled time to time to their see in order to collect the
tithes.[36]

According to Archbishop Marco Bandini's report of the canonical visitation of 1646, the şoltuz in Bacău was
elected among Hungarians one year, and another, among Romanians.[7][37] The names of most of 12
inhabitants of the town recorded in 1655 also indicate that Hungarians still formed their majority group.[33] In
1670 Archbishop Petrus Parcevic, the apostolic vicar of Moldavia concluded an agreement with the head of
the Franciscan Province of Transylvania on the return of the Bacău monastery to them in order to ensure the
spiritual welfare of the local Hungarian community.[37][38] But the Polish bishop protested against the
agreement and the Holy See also refused to ratify it.[37][39]

Due to the frequent invasions by foreign armies and plundering by the Tatars in the 17th century, many of its
Catholic inhabitants abandoned Bacău and took refuge in Transylvania.[40] But in 1851 the Catholic
congregation in the town still spoke, sang, and prayed in Hungarian.[41]

The first paper mill in Moldavia was established in the town in 1851.[42] The town was declared a
municipality in 1968.[42]

Politics
The local authority in the city is split between the Mayor and the Local council. Between 1950 and 1968 the
city was governed by the Sfatul popular (People's Council). It replaced the local Provisional Committee
(Romanian: Comitetul Provizori), which functioned from 1948 to 1950, based on the Law of the People's
Councils, no. 17/1949.[43]
Demographics
As of 2011 census data, Bacău has a population of 144,307, a decrease Historical population
from the figure recorded at the 2002 census.[45] The ethnic makeup
Year Pop. ±%
was as follows:
1900 16,187 —
Romanians: 97.93% 1912 18,846 +16.4%
Roma: 0.92% 1930 31,138 +65.2%
1941 38,965 +25.1%
Hungarians: 0.09%
1948 34,461 −11.6%
Jews: 0.03%
1956 54,138 +57.1%
Other: 0.34%
1966 73,414 +35.6%
1977 127,299 +73.4%
The Bacău metropolitan area, a project for the creation of an
administrative unit to integrate Bacău with the nearby communes, 1992 205,029 +61.1%
would have a population of some 190,000. 2002 175,500 −14.4%
2011 144,307 −17.8%
Source: Census data, 1930–1948.[44]
Transportation
The city is about 300 kilometres (186 miles) North of Bucharest. It is served by Bacău International Airport
which provides direct links with the Romanian capital, Bucharest, and with 10 cities in Europe. Bacău air
traffic control centre is one of Europe's busiest, as it handles transiting flights between the Middle and Near
East and South Asia to Europe and across the Atlantic.

The Bacău railway station (Gara Bacău) is one of the busiest in

Romania; it has access to the Romanian railway main trunk number
500. Thus the city is connected to the main Romanian cities; the
railway station is an important transit stop for international trains from
Ukraine, Russia, and Bulgaria.

The city has access to the DN2 road (E85) that links it to the
Romanian capital, Bucharest (to the South) and the cities of Suceava
and Iași (to the North). The European route E574 is an important
access road to Transylvania and the city of Brașov. The city is also
located at the intersection of several national roads of secondary
importance. Museum Complex '"Iulian
Antonescu"
Culture
Bacău has a public university and several colleges. Two major Romanian poets, George Bacovia and Vasile
Alecsandri were born here. The "Mihail Jora" Athenaeum and a Philharmonic Orchestra are located here, as
well as the "G. Bacovia" Dramatic Theater and a Puppet Theater. Around Christmas every year, a Festival of
Moldavian Winter Traditions takes place, reuniting folk artists from all the surrounding regions. The exhibition
"Saloanele Moldovei" and the International Painting Camp at Tescani, near Bacău, reunite important plastic
artists from Romania and from abroad. The local History Museum, part of the Museum Complex "Iulian
Antonescu" has an important collection of antique objects from ancient Dacia. The city also has an
astronomical observatory, The Victor Anestin Astronomical Observatory.

Jewish community
The 1772-1774 Census registered 5 Jewish families, the 1820 Census registered 108 families. The 1852
Census registered 504 Jewish inhabitants. The 1930 Census registered 9424 Jewish inhabitants. The first
mentions about Jewish inhabitants are from the beginning of the 18th century. The Register of Chevra Kadisha
begins with the year 1774. The first leader of the Community is mentioned in 1794. The community was
officially recognized in 1857.

Before World War I, the number of Jews was almost equal to that of Romanians in Bacău. According to the
1930 census, after some of the village population was in town, Bacău had 19,421 who have declared are
Romanian, 9,424 declared Jews, 822 Hungarians and 406 German.

The first synagogue would be built in Bacău in 1820. In 1841 Jews who observe the current Habad Hasidic
built another Sinagoga. In 1864 there were 14 functioning synagogues in Bacău. Among the most notable
being Synagogue Burah Volf, Furriers Synagogue, Synagogue Alter Ionas and tanners. "In 1880, in Bacău we
had 21 synagogues and prayer houses. In 1916 we were active following synagogues Froim Aizic, Alter Leib,
Itzik Leib Brill, Lipscani, the Tailors Young, coachmen, Shoemakers Synagogue, Cerealista, masonry, Rabbi
Israel Synagogue, "Brotherhood of Zion" Snap Synagogue Saima Cofler itself and Der Mariesches SIL.

After World War I, some synagogues were closed and others were razed. Some carried the names of rabbis
deceased or people in life who had influence on the community: synagogue Wisman, synagogue Gaon Bețael
Safran, synagogue Rabbi Blane, synagogue David Herșcovici, synagogue Filderman, the synagogue rabbi
Wahramn, and synagogue Rabbi Lan.

[Information on the Nazi period missing, please give details.]

In December 2015, the new headquarters of the Jewish community was opened at 2 Erou Costel Marius
Hasan St.[46]

International relations

Twin towns/Sister cities

Bacău is twinned with:

Petah Tikva, Israel.

Turin, Italy[47]
Mandaue, Philippines
Caxias do Sul, Brazil (since 2017, after relationships between its citizens have developed
exponentially)

Sports
Athletics

SCM Bacău
CS Știința Bacău
CSȘ Bacău

Badminton

CS Știința Bacău
 CSȘ Bacău

Basketball

CSȘ Bacău

Boxing

SCM Bacău

Bridge

Bridge Club Bacău

Football

FCM Bacău
CS Aerostar Bacău
CS FC Pambac Bacău
FC Willy Bacău
AS Clipa VIO Bacău
Siretul Bacău
LPS Bacău

Gymnastics

SCM Bacău
CS Știința Bacău

Team Handball

C.S. Știința Municipal Dedeman Bacău

CS Știința Bacău
CSȘ Bacău

Judo

SCM Bacău
Judo Club Royal Bacău

Karate

SCM Bacău
CS Știința Bacău
CS Seishin Karate-Do Bacău
Siretul Bacău
Sfinx Club Karate-Do Bacau

Fights

SCM Bacău
Modelism

SCM Bacău
CS Aerostar Bacău

Swimming

SCM Bacău (înot, sărituri în apă)

LPS Bacău (înot)

Tennis

SCM Bacău
ASTC Bistrița Bacău
CSȘ Bacău

People
Aaron Aaronsohn, agronomist, botanist and Zionist activist
Vasile Alecsandri, poet
Angela Alupei, rower
George Apostu, sculptor
Constantin Avram, academician
Radu Beligan, actor, poet, essayist
George Bacovia, poet
Ovidiu Balan, conductor
Dimitrie Berea, painter
Ilie Boca, painter
Julius Borcea, mathematician
Constantin Cândea, chemist
Vlad Chiricheș, footballer
Radu Cosaşu, writer and activist
Sile Dinicu, composer and conductor
Ion Drăgoi, violinist
Nicu Enea, painter
Gabriela Firea, journalist and politician, mayor of Bucharest
Mariana Zavati Gardner, poet
Paul Grigoriu, journalist
Nicolae Gropeanu, painter
David Korner, communist militant, syndicalist and Romanian-French journalist of Jewish
ethnicity
Radu Lecca, double spy, journalist, fascist, antisemite, declared a war criminal by the
communists
Narcisa Lecuşanu, handball player
Solomon Marcus, mathematician
Agnès Matoko, model
Dumitru Mazilu, politician
 Doina Melinte, athlete, Olympic gold medalist
Mihaela Melinte, athlete
Marius Mircu, journalist and memoirist
Cornel Palade, humorist and TV host
Costel Pantilimon, footballer
Lucrețiu Pătrășcanu, Marxist intellectual and politician
Vasile Pârvan, istoric, archaeologist, and academician
Gabriela Potorac, gymnast
Andrei Pricope, cellist
Gheorghe Rădoi, communist politician, was married to Vasilica (Lica) Gheorghiu, daughter of
Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej
Monica Roșu, gymnast
Mirela Rusu, double world champion in aerobic gymnastics
Alexandru Șafran, Rabbi and senator
Olga Tudorache, theater and film actress, university professor
Anamaria Vartolomei, actress
Nicolae Vermont, painter

Gallery

Mircea Cancicov Winter Festival "Precista", detail "9th of May" Street

memorial

See also
Bacău metropolitan area

References
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w.recensamantromania.ro/rezultate-2/) (in Romanian). National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved
4 February 2014.
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6. Rădvan 2010, p. 371.
7. Rădvan 2010, p. 456.
8. Spinei 2009, p. 342.
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seria II, tom. XXXVII (1915), p. 246
10. Gh. Ghibănescu - Ispisoace și Zapise. vol.VI, partea a II-a, Tipografia „Dacia” Iliescu, Grossu &
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12. Dan Gh. Teodor, Creștinismul la est de Carpati, Editura Mitropoliei Moldovei și Bucovinei, Iași,
1984, p. 25, 32, 160.
13. Eugen Șendrea, Istoria municipiului Bacău, Bacău, Editura Vicovia, 2007, p.45-90.
14. Rădvan 2010, p. 388.
15. Rădvan 2010, pp. 388., 427., 455.
16. Dobre 2009, p. 86.
17. Rădvan 2010, p. 365.
18. Rădvan 2010, p. 343.
19. Treptow, Popa 1996, pp. lii., 32.
20. Rădvan 2010, pp. 453-454.
21. Rădvan 2010, pp. 399., 456.
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25. Rădvan 2010, p. 455.
26. Dobre 2009, p. 70.
27. Rădvan 2010, p. 497.
28. Rădvan 2010, pp. 373., 416.
29. Rădvan 2010, p. 410.
30. Treptow, Popa 1996, pp. lii., 48.
31. Rădvan 2010, p. 454.
32. Treptow, Popa 1996, pp. lii., 46.
33. Rădvan 2010, p. 457.
34. Rădvan 2010, p. 461.
35. Benda 2002, p. 33.
36. Benda 2002, p. 36.
37. Benda 2002, p. 17.
38. Pozsony 2002, pp. 94-95.
39. Pozsony 2002, p. 95.
40. Mărtinaș 1999, pp.36-38.
41. Pozsony 2002, p. 102.
42. Treptow, Popa 1996, p. 32.
43. Andrei Florin Sora, Comunizarea administrației românești: sfaturile populare (1949-1950), în
„Revista istorică”, tom XXIII, nr. 3-4/2012
44. Populatia RPR la 25 ianuarie 1948, p. 14 (https://sas.unibuc.ro/storage/downloads/analize-regi
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13/07/sR_Tab_8.xls) (in Romanian). INSSE. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
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a deputatului Aurel Vainer, preşedintele FCER (http://adevarul.ro/locale/bacau/foto-evreii-baca
u-si-au-inaugurat-noul-sediu-prezenta-mareluirabin-rafael--shaffer-deputatuluiaurel-vainer-pres
edintele-fcer-1_5669d2337d919ed50e1820d1/index.html#photo-head)
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web/20130618182559/http://www.comune.torino.it/relint/inglese/gemellaggieaccordi/index.sht
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Notes
Benda, Kálmán (2002). The Hungarians of Moldavia (Csángós) in the 16th–17th Centuries. In:
Diószegi, László (2002); Hungarian Csángós in Moldavia: Essays on the Past and Present of
the Hungarian Csángós in Moldavia; Teleki László Foundation - Pro Minoritate Foundation;
ISBN 963-85774-4-4.
Dobre, Claudia Florentina (2009). Mendicants in Moldavia: Mission in an Orthodox Land.
AUREL Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938759-12-7.
Mărtinaş, Dumitru (1999). The Origins of the Changos. The Center for Romanian Studies.
ISBN 973-98391-4-2.
Pozsony, Ferenc (2002). Church Life in Moldavian Hungarian Communities. In: Diószegi,
László (2002); Hungarian Csángós in Moldavia: Essays on the Past and Present of the
Hungarian Csángós in Moldavia; Teleki László Foundation - Pro Minoritate Foundation;
ISBN 963-85774-4-4.
Rădvan, Laurenţiu (2010). At Europe's Borders: Medieval Towns in the Romanian
Principalities. BRILL. ISBN 978-90-04-18010-9.
Spinei, Victor (2009). The Romanians and the Turkic Nomads North of the Danube Delta from
the Tenth to the Mid-Thirteenth century. Koninklijke Brill NV. ISBN 978-90-04-17536-5.
Treptow, Kurt W.; Popa, Marcel (1996). Historical Dictionary of Romania. The Scarecrow Press.
ISBN 0-8108-3179-1.

External links
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