Solca
Encyclopedia
Solca is a town in Suceava County
, Bukovina
, Romania
, with a population around 2,500 inhabitants. Its name is derived from that of the river flowing through it, in turn derived from Slavic sol ("salt") — in reference to the area's salty springs.
The town was first mentioned in a document issued by Moldavian Prince Alexandru cel Bun
on January 15, 1418. In the following centuries, Solca became a market town
for the surrounding area. Together with the rest of Bukovina, it became part of the Habsburg Monarchy
, and was eventually part of Austria-Hungary
; its fresh air helped established Solca as a renowned summer resort during the period.
During World War I
, the town was the scene of Eastern Front
battles between the armies of Austria-Hungary and the Russian Empire
.
The town is celebrated for its monumental Romanian Orthodox
church, the former Sts. Peter and Paul's Monastery (1613-1623), also knowns as Solca monastery, built by Voievod (Ruling Prince) Ştefan Tomşa II of Moldavia (1611-1614; 1621-1623), and closed by the Habsburgs in 1785, and a beer factory that ranks among the oldest in the country. Salt springs are located in the northern forested area. Solca is also relatively close to the Cacica salt mine and the Arbore church.
Suceava County
Suceava is a county of Romania, in the historical region of Moldavia and few villages in Transylvania, with the capital city at Suceava.- Demographics :...
, Bukovina
Bukovina
Bukovina is a historical region on the northern slopes of the northeastern Carpathian Mountains and the adjoining plains.-Name:The name Bukovina came into official use in 1775 with the region's annexation from the Principality of Moldavia to the possessions of the Habsburg Monarchy, which became...
, 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...
, with a population around 2,500 inhabitants. Its name is derived from that of the river flowing through it, in turn derived from Slavic sol ("salt") — in reference to the area's salty springs.
The town was first mentioned in a document issued by Moldavian Prince Alexandru cel Bun
Alexandru cel Bun
Alexander cel Bun was a Voivode of Moldavia, reigning between 1400 and 1432, son of Roman I Mușat. He succeeded Iuga to the throne, and, as a ruler, initiated a series of reforms while consolidating the status of the Moldavian Principality....
on January 15, 1418. In the following centuries, Solca became a market town
Market town
Market town or market right is a legal term, originating in the medieval period, for a European settlement that has the right to host markets, distinguishing it from a village and city...
for the surrounding area. Together with the rest of Bukovina, it became part of the Habsburg Monarchy
Habsburg Monarchy
The Habsburg Monarchy covered the territories ruled by the junior Austrian branch of the House of Habsburg , and then by the successor House of Habsburg-Lorraine , between 1526 and 1867/1918. The Imperial capital was Vienna, except from 1583 to 1611, when it was moved to Prague...
, and was eventually part of Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
; its fresh air helped established Solca as a renowned summer resort during the period.
During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the town was the scene of Eastern Front
Eastern Front (World War I)
The Eastern Front was a theatre of war during World War I in Central and, primarily, Eastern Europe. The term is in contrast to the Western Front. Despite the geographical separation, the events in the two theatres strongly influenced each other...
battles between the armies of Austria-Hungary and the Russian Empire
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
.
The town is celebrated for its monumental Romanian Orthodox
Romanian Orthodox Church
The Romanian Orthodox Church is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox church. It is in full communion with other Eastern Orthodox churches, and is ranked seventh in order of precedence. The Primate of the church has the title of Patriarch...
church, the former Sts. Peter and Paul's Monastery (1613-1623), also knowns as Solca monastery, built by Voievod (Ruling Prince) Ştefan Tomşa II of Moldavia (1611-1614; 1621-1623), and closed by the Habsburgs in 1785, and a beer factory that ranks among the oldest in the country. Salt springs are located in the northern forested area. Solca is also relatively close to the Cacica salt mine and the Arbore church.