site.btaIn Romanian City of Cluj-Napoca There Is Bulgaria District
In Romania's second most populous city of Cluj-Napoca there is a district called Bulgaria. It is situated in the eastern part of the city, between the Somes River and a railway line. Nowadays, it is a predominantly industrial zone, home to many factories and business offices.
In the 17th century, there was a village at the site, inhabited by Hungarians, sasi (Transylvanian Saxons) and Romanians. Bulgarian gardeners settled here in the 18th century, drawn by the fertile soil which was suitable for growing vegetables. They gave the place its new name. By the early 20th century, it was known as "the vegetable garden of Cluj." In addition to vegetables, the Bulgarian settlers grew herbs, which they supplied to the markets of Cluj. They were also famous for their irrigation systems.
The late historian Gheorghe Bodea wrote in 2011: "Around 15 to 20 families lived close to the Somes River. They had a grocery, a butcher's, a small Orthodox church and a flour mill. It was known as Petcu's mill. But the actual name was Petkov, a Bulgarian."
With time, the Bulgaria District gradually changed and the vegetable and flower gardens gave way to the kind of prefab buildings typical of the communist era.
Today, there is nothing particularly Bulgarian about the Bulgaria District, but the Bulgarian presence is still felt in Cluj-Napoca. Twenty-two companies with Bulgarian capital operate in the city, and Bulgarian students pursue their studies at local universities. An Honorary Consulate of Bulgaria was inaugurated here recently.
/VE/
Additional
news.modal.image.header
news.modal.image.text
news.modal.download.header
news.modal.download.text
news.modal.header
news.modal.text