Otelu Rosu
Encyclopedia
Oţelu Roşu is a town in southwestern Caraş-Severin County
, Romania
, in the Bistra Valley. It is situated on the national road 68, between Caransebeş
(21 km away) and Haţeg
. The town administers two villages, Cireşa and Mal.
to the south. To the south of Oţelu Roşu is a large piedmont
of the Ţarcu Mountains, locally named Gai. To the north the town makes direct contact with the foothills of the Poiana Ruscăi Mountains. Dominant heights are the hill of Ferdinand (overlooking the foundry) and the hill of Chiciura.
Oţelu Roşu is subjected to west European climatic influences because of its altitude and location. The altitude and the neighbouring forests and mountains ensure a mild climate. In the winter, snow may persist as much as two or three months, however the temperatures do not drop too low. In the spring months, especially May, floods are possible due to the melting of the snow in the high areas of the Ţarcu Mountains and abundant rains. The most recent flood took place in the year 2000, destroying several bridges across the river Bistra.
, in form of primitive tools. Sporadic remnants from the Neolithic
age have been found in the neighbouring areas.
During the wars between Romans
and Dacians
, the Bistra Valley was the route used by the emperor Trajan
in penetrating into the heartland of Dacia
. A Roman castrum can be found near the cemetery of Zăvoi
(ancient Agnaviae), a settlement close to Oţelu Roşu.
In the fifteenth century, during medieval times, Oţelu Roşu was mentioned under the name of "Bistra", and later with the Hungarian name of Nándorhegy. After the expulsion of Turks
from Banat
by the Habsburgs, the area was colonised by Germans
. Also, Italians are brought in to work in metalworking industry. Later, as Transylvania
became part of Romania
, the name of Nándorhegy was replaced with the Ferdinand.
After 1947 the name Ferdinand did not please the communists
, therefore they changed it to Oţelu Roşu ("[The] Red Steel") in order to underline the importance of the town's metalworking
industry.
and other areas of Romania.
At the 2002 census, 90.2% of inhabitants were Romanians
, 4.1% each Germans
and Hungarians and 0.8% Roma. After 1989, most of the town's Germans, Italians and Slovaks
emigrated. In 2002, 76.7% of residents were Romanian Orthodox, 11.4% Roman Catholic, 4.8% Pentecostal
, 4.4% Baptist
and 1% Reformed.
Caras-Severin County
Caraș-Severin is a county of Romania, in the historical region of Banat and few villages in Transylvania, with the county seat at Reșița.-Demographics:The county is part of the Danube-Kris-Mureș-Tisza euroregion....
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
, in the Bistra Valley. It is situated on the national road 68, between Caransebeş
Caransebes
Caransebeş is a city in Caraş-Severin County, part of the Banat region in southwestern Romania. It is located at the confluence of the river Timiş with the river Sebeş, the latter coming from the Ţarcu Mountains. To the west, it is in direct contact with the Banat hills...
(21 km away) and Haţeg
Hateg
Hațeg is a town in Hunedoara County, Romania with a population of 12,507. Three villages are administered by the town: Nălațvad, Silvașu de Jos and Silvașu de Sus.Țara Hațegului is the region around Hațeg town...
. The town administers two villages, Cireşa and Mal.
Geography
Oţelu Roşu is located at an altitude of approximately 300 meters in Valea Bistrei valley, which is between the Poiana Ruscăi mountains to the north and the Ţarcu MountainsTarcu Mountains
The Ţarcu Mountains are a mountain range in the southwestern Romania, at the western edge of the Southern Carpathians. They are located between the Bistra Valley , Timiş River , Godeanu Mountains and Râul Mare Valley , the last one being a natural barrier between them and the Retezat Mountains.The...
to the south. To the south of Oţelu Roşu is a large piedmont
Piedmont
Piedmont is one of the 20 regions of Italy. It has an area of 25,402 square kilometres and a population of about 4.4 million. The capital of Piedmont is Turin. The main local language is Piedmontese. Occitan is also spoken by a minority in the Occitan Valleys situated in the Provinces of...
of the Ţarcu Mountains, locally named Gai. To the north the town makes direct contact with the foothills of the Poiana Ruscăi Mountains. Dominant heights are the hill of Ferdinand (overlooking the foundry) and the hill of Chiciura.
History
The first signs of human habitation date from the PaleolithicPaleolithic
The Paleolithic Age, Era or Period, is a prehistoric period of human history distinguished by the development of the most primitive stone tools discovered , and covers roughly 99% of human technological prehistory...
, in form of primitive tools. Sporadic remnants from the Neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
age have been found in the neighbouring areas.
During the wars between Romans
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
and Dacians
Dacians
The Dacians were an Indo-European people, very close or part of the Thracians. Dacians were the ancient inhabitants of Dacia...
, the Bistra Valley was the route used by the emperor Trajan
Trajan
Trajan , was Roman Emperor from 98 to 117 AD. Born into a non-patrician family in the province of Hispania Baetica, in Spain Trajan rose to prominence during the reign of emperor Domitian. Serving as a legatus legionis in Hispania Tarraconensis, in Spain, in 89 Trajan supported the emperor against...
in penetrating into the heartland of Dacia
Dacia
In ancient geography, especially in Roman sources, Dacia was the land inhabited by the Dacians or Getae as they were known by the Greeks—the branch of the Thracians north of the Haemus range...
. A Roman castrum can be found near the cemetery of Zăvoi
Zavoi
Zăvoi is a commune in Caraş-Severin County, western Romania with a population of 4,343 people. It is composed of seven villages: 23 August, Măgura, Măru, Poiana Mărului, Valea Bistrei, Voislova and Zăvoi....
(ancient Agnaviae), a settlement close to Oţelu Roşu.
In the fifteenth century, during medieval times, Oţelu Roşu was mentioned under the name of "Bistra", and later with the Hungarian name of Nándorhegy. After the expulsion of Turks
Turkic peoples
The Turkic peoples are peoples residing in northern, central and western Asia, southern Siberia and northwestern China and parts of eastern Europe. They speak languages belonging to the Turkic language family. They share, to varying degrees, certain cultural traits and historical backgrounds...
from Banat
Banat
The Banat is a geographical and historical region in Central Europe currently divided between three countries: the eastern part lies in western Romania , the western part in northeastern Serbia , and a small...
by the Habsburgs, the area was colonised by Germans
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
. Also, Italians are brought in to work in metalworking industry. Later, as Transylvania
Transylvania
Transylvania is a historical region in the central part of Romania. Bounded on the east and south by the Carpathian mountain range, historical Transylvania extended in the west to the Apuseni Mountains; however, the term sometimes encompasses not only Transylvania proper, but also the historical...
became part of Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
, the name of Nándorhegy was replaced with the Ferdinand.
After 1947 the name Ferdinand did not please the communists
Communist Romania
Communist Romania was the period in Romanian history when that country was a Soviet-aligned communist state in the Eastern Bloc, with the dominant role of Romanian Communist Party enshrined in its successive constitutions...
, therefore they changed it to Oţelu Roşu ("[The] Red Steel") in order to underline the importance of the town's metalworking
Metalworking
Metalworking is the process of working with metals to create individual parts, assemblies, or large scale structures. The term covers a wide range of work from large ships and bridges to precise engine parts and delicate jewelry. It therefore includes a correspondingly wide range of skills,...
industry.
Population
The population was 12,989 (2000) and 13,128 (1999). Causes of this demographic regress are among others the problems of the metalworking industry and the high unemployment, making many young people leave the town and move into regional centers such as TimişoaraTimisoara
Timișoara is the capital city of Timiș County, in western Romania. One of the largest Romanian cities, with an estimated population of 311,586 inhabitants , and considered the informal capital city of the historical region of Banat, Timișoara is the main social, economic and cultural center in the...
and other areas of Romania.
At the 2002 census, 90.2% of inhabitants were Romanians
Romanians
The Romanians are an ethnic group native to Romania, who speak Romanian; they are the majority inhabitants of Romania....
, 4.1% each Germans
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
and Hungarians and 0.8% Roma. After 1989, most of the town's Germans, Italians and Slovaks
Slovaks
The Slovaks, Slovak people, or Slovakians are a West Slavic people that primarily inhabit Slovakia and speak the Slovak language, which is closely related to the Czech language.Most Slovaks today live within the borders of the independent Slovakia...
emigrated. In 2002, 76.7% of residents were Romanian Orthodox, 11.4% Roman Catholic, 4.8% Pentecostal
Pentecostal Union of Romania
The Pentecostal Union of Romania is Romania's fourth-largest religious body and one of its eighteen officially recognised religious denominations. At the 2002 census, 330,486 Romanians declared themselves to be Pentecostals; ethnically, they were 85.2% Romanians, 10.6% Roma, 1.9% Ukrainians, 1.8%...
, 4.4% Baptist
Baptist Union of Romania
The Baptist Union of Romania is an alliance of Baptist churches for cooperative ministry in Romania. Since independent churches have no legal standing in Romania, the Baptist Union also provides a mediatorial relationship between churches and government.The first modern-era Baptists in Romania...
and 1% Reformed.