Zarnesti
Encyclopedia
Zărnești is a town in Braşov County
, Transylvania
, Romania
, with a population of 26,520. It administers one village, Tohanu Nou.
It is located near the Piatra Craiului Mountains
, which are part of the Southern Carpathians
mountains range. Its close proximity to the Piatra Craiului make it a common start point for tourists and hikers wishing to explore "The Piatra Craiului National Park".
were buried in the territory that is modern day Zărnești. It is first mentioned in the year 1373 under the name Zârna and also referred to as "possessio regalis Zerne" in the year 1395. Other names that appeared after 1437 are Zerna, Villa Czerne, and Zernyest.
Modern day Zărnești developed in the same location as the historic one. The commune of Tohan, which is now part of the town, was first mentioned in the year 1294, and remains among the oldest settlements in Romanian which have kept their name and location unchanged.
In the year 1951, Zărnești was declared a town, of which Tohanul Vechi (Old Tohan) became a part of. In the year 1968, the commune of Tohanul Nou (New Tohan) was included in Zărnești proper.
Due to the topographical diversity of Zărneşti and surrounding area, agriculture became the primary occupation for its residents until not too long ago. Industrialization began sometime in the 1800s, with the construction of the paper manufacturing plant
in 1852, then called Celuloza, now called Celohart - EcoPaper”), and the weapons plant "6 Martie" in 1936. These projects turned Zărneşti from a predominantly rural to an urban town
.
The town of Zărneşti developed largely in the communist era, bringing its population to 25,000 people, which contributed to the addition of a few neighborhoods of communist era blocs. After the [Romanian Revolution] of 1989, the plants closed, only to be sold piece by piece to private buyers.
Currently, Zărneşti has enjoyed a spike in tourism, relieving some of the pressure of unemployment, which followed the revolution. The tourism industry
has promising prospects for the future of the town.
Brasov County
Brașov ; ) is a county of Romania, in Transylvania, with the capital city at Brașov. The county incorporates within its boundaries most of the Medieval "lands" Burzenland and Făgăraș Land.-Demographics:...
, 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...
, 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 of 26,520. It administers one village, Tohanu Nou.
It is located near the Piatra Craiului Mountains
Piatra Craiului Mountains
The Piatra Craiului Mountains are a mountain range in the Southern Carpathians in Romania. In Romanian "Piatra Craiului" means "Rock of the King".The Piatra Craiului mountains form a narrow and saw-like ridge, which is about 25 km long...
, which are part of the Southern Carpathians
Southern Carpathians
The Southern Carpathians or the Transylvanian Alps are a group of mountain ranges which divide central and southern Romania, on one side, and Serbia, on the other side. They cover part of the Carpathian Mountains that is located between the Prahova River in the east and the Timiș and Cerna Rivers...
mountains range. Its close proximity to the Piatra Craiului make it a common start point for tourists and hikers wishing to explore "The Piatra Craiului National Park".
History
During the Roman period, soldiers of the Legio XIII GeminaLegio XIII Gemina
Legio tertia decima Gemina was one of the most prominent Roman legions. It was one of Julius Caesar's key units in Gaul and in the civil war, and was the legion with which he famously crossed the Rubicon on January 10, 49 BC. The legion appears to have still been in existence in the fifth century...
were buried in the territory that is modern day Zărnești. It is first mentioned in the year 1373 under the name Zârna and also referred to as "possessio regalis Zerne" in the year 1395. Other names that appeared after 1437 are Zerna, Villa Czerne, and Zernyest.
Modern day Zărnești developed in the same location as the historic one. The commune of Tohan, which is now part of the town, was first mentioned in the year 1294, and remains among the oldest settlements in Romanian which have kept their name and location unchanged.
In the year 1951, Zărnești was declared a town, of which Tohanul Vechi (Old Tohan) became a part of. In the year 1968, the commune of Tohanul Nou (New Tohan) was included in Zărnești proper.
Due to the topographical diversity of Zărneşti and surrounding area, agriculture became the primary occupation for its residents until not too long ago. Industrialization began sometime in the 1800s, with the construction of the paper manufacturing plant
Factory
A factory or manufacturing plant is an industrial building where laborers manufacture goods or supervise machines processing one product into another. Most modern factories have large warehouses or warehouse-like facilities that contain heavy equipment used for assembly line production...
in 1852, then called Celuloza, now called Celohart - EcoPaper”), and the weapons plant "6 Martie" in 1936. These projects turned Zărneşti from a predominantly rural to an urban town
Urban town
An urban town is a proposed classification for towns in the state of Wisconsin, similar to the urban townships of Minnesota and Ohio. The concept, originally proposed in 2001, as AB501, limited the classification to towns with over 7,500 people. The proposal has gained support from such...
.
The town of Zărneşti developed largely in the communist era, bringing its population to 25,000 people, which contributed to the addition of a few neighborhoods of communist era blocs. After the [Romanian Revolution] of 1989, the plants closed, only to be sold piece by piece to private buyers.
Currently, Zărneşti has enjoyed a spike in tourism, relieving some of the pressure of unemployment, which followed the revolution. The tourism industry
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
has promising prospects for the future of the town.
Notable people
- Rareş ManeaRareş ManeaRareş Manea is a Romanian ski mountaineer. He was born in Zărneşti.- Selected results :* 2005:** 8th, European Championship relay race * 2007:...
, Dimitru FrâncuDimitru FrâncuDimitru Frâncu is a Romanian ski mountaineer. He was born in Zărneşti, started ski mountaineering in 2003, and has been member of the national team since 2006. Together with Rareş Manea, Silviu Manea and Ionuţ Găliţeanu, he finished ninth in the relay event of the 2007 European Championship of...
and Ionuţ GăliţeanuIonuţ GăliţeanuIonuţ Găliţeanu is a Romanian ski mountaineer.Găliţeanu was born in Zărneşti. He started ski mountaineering in 2000 and became member of the national team in 2003.- Selected results :* 2004:...
, ski mountaineers, born in Zărneşti - Traian MoşoiuTraian MoşoiuTraian Moşoiu was a Romanian General during World War I, Minister of War in the Alexandru Vaida-Voevod cabinet , Minister of Communications and of Industry and Commerce in the Ion I. C...
, Romanian World War I-general, born in Tohanul Nou