Galați

County Seat
• Coats of arms
Country  Romania
County Galați County
Status County capital
Settled Before 14th century
First official record 1445
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2024) Ionuț Pucheanu
Area
 • County Seat 246.4 km2 (95.1 sq mi)
Elevation 55 m (180 ft)
Population (2011)
 • County Seat 249,432
 • Estimate (2016)[4] 304,340
 • Density 1,000/km2 (2,600/sq mi)
 • Metro 322,501
Time zone UTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer  UTC+3 (EEST)
     Galați   is the capital city of Galați County, in the historical region of Western Moldavia, in
eastern Romania. Galați is a port town on the Danube River. It has been the only port for the most part
of Moldavia's existence. In 2011, the Romanian census recorded 249,432 residents, making it the
8th most populous city in Romania. Galați is an economic centre based around the port of Galați,
the naval shipyard, and the largest steel mill in Romania, Galați steel works.
   Etymology
The name Galați is derived from the Cuman word galat. This word is ultimately borrowed from
the Persian word ‫الت‬‫ کـــ‬ kalat, "fortress". Other etymologies have been suggested, such as the Serbian galac.
However, the galat root appears in nearby toponyms, some of which show clearly a Cuman origin, for
example Gălățui Lake, which has the typical Cuman -ui suffix for "water". Another toponym in the region
is Galicia, with its town of Halych, locally associated with the jackdaw (Kawka, Halka). Before the Mongol
invasion of Rus, Galați was known as Malyi Halych (Little Halych) as part of the Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia.
        
•Location in Galați County
• The first seal of the Galați fair -
15th century
Ancient origins
        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
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, the city became part of the Republic of Genoa Territories and was called "Caladda".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.
World War I
   Galați remained under Romanian control during World War I. Romanian soldiers fought alongside those
of Russia against the army of the Central Powers. Galați was bombed by retreating Russian troops in
January 1918.
Interwar period
    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
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.
• Galați in 1826
Communist period (1947–1989)
    Post war rebuilding
  After World War II, Galați was rebuilt along communist lines.
The town's population was about 80,000. In 1956, a proposal to
join Brăila and Galați was made and the building of a speed tram
pier was proposed with a Swiss company. The plans never
materialized. Construction of the Galați steel works began in
1960 and the plant opened in 1966. The population at this time
was 151,000. In 1971, the Făurei – Galați railway capacity was
increased, and, in 1982, it was electrified.
     Contemporary period
  In 2004, Romania's first information technology park opened in
Galați.
                                          Places of interest
•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.
•Administrative Palace
•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).
                                  Fortified Monastery of the Holy Virgin
•Precista fortified church
•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.
Education
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
V. A. Urechia Library
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.
Presentation made by Pavel Iustin Mihail and Vizinteanu Iustin

and with the blessing of Father Adam Radu Gherasim