Bistrița

Bistrița (Romanian pronunciation: [ˈbistrit͡sa]; German: Bistritz, archaic Nösen;Hungarian: Beszterce) is the capital city of Bistriţa-Năsăud County, in northern Transylvania, Romania. It is situated on the Bistriţa River. The city has a population of approximately 70,000 inhabitants, and it administers six villages: Ghinda (Windau; Vinda), Sărata (Salz; Sófalva), Sigmir (Schönbirk; Szépnyír), Slătiniţa (Pintak; Pinták), Unirea (Wallendorf; Aldorf) and Viişoara (Heidendorf; Besenyő).

Etymology

The town was named after the Bistriţa River, whose name comes from the Slavic word bystrica meaning "fast-moving water".

History

The earliest sign of settlement in the area of Bistriţa is in Neolithic remains. The Turkic Pechenegs settled the area in 12th century following attacks of the Cumans. Transylvanian Saxons settled the area in 1206 and called the region "Nösnerland". A large part of settlers were fugitives, convicts and poor people looking for lands and opportunities. The destruction of Markt Nosa ("Market Nösen") under the Mongols of central Europe is described in a document from 1241. Situated on several trade routes, Bistriţa became a flourishing medieval trading post.

Bistrița (disambiguation)

Bistriţa is a city in Romania.

Bistriţa may also refer to several other entities in Romania:

See also

Bistrița River

Bistriţa River may refer to four rivers in Romania:

See also