Calarasi History, Romania

Calarasi, History – Early Times

Calarasi is a city which developed and went through numerous transformations throughout the time, as a part of the Romanian territory. Archeologists found proofs about the existence of human activities here since the Early Neolithic. Important local cultures like the Boian and Gumelnita have become some of the most expressive in south-eastern Europe. Among the main occupations of the inhabitants was modeling clay forming in this way the “clay civilizations”.

The Bronze Age remained in Calarasi’s history due to the Glina, Tei and Coslogeni Cultures, which revealed a complex and well developed society. By the end of the Iron Age, the inhabitants of these places established commercial relations with the Greek colonies from Pont Euxin and met with the Romans who would soon claim authority over these lands. The Roman occupation along the Danube lasted until the sixth century and left deep marks in the history of these places. Several Roman defensive military forts built along the Danube remain until today as a reminder of those times.

During Early Feudalism in the area of today’s Calarasi, there was an important demographic concentration represented by peaceful people working in agriculture and livestock. Archeologists found numerous artifacts and coins which demonstrate again that these places were intensively populated, and the inhabitants were in a continuous connection with the Byzantine Empire, especially regarding commerce.

Being the meeting point of several different populations, Calarasi had always been implicated in those times’ military and political events. During Mihai Vitezu’s reign the inhabitants of Calarasi fought the Turks attacking their fortresses and about a century later they attacked the Turks again, this time paying a higher price of seeing their villages burnt down.

Calarasi, History – Medieval Times

In medieval times the presence of numerous craftsmen and of the flourishing commerce contributed greatly to the city’s development. The Middle Age was characterized by the development and fortifying of Calarasi, the intensification of trade and commerce and the appearance of important trade centers usually at crossroads.

Calarasi, History – Modern History

In the eighteen century another conflict disturbed their lives, involving the Turks again. This time the Russians and Austrians, also helped by the Romanians, decided to fight the Turks once more, but now succeeding and pushing them on the other side of the Danube.

Besides these rather violent episodes in Calarasi history, the locals were preoccupied only by agriculture and livestock. The most popular crops in those times were wheat, barley and only at the end of the century corn. Livestock was strongly related to agriculture, mainly growing sheep. Due to their location on the banks of the Danube, fishing was another popular activity for the inhabitants of these places.

Calarasi was first mentioned at the end of the seventeen century under the name of Lichiresti and due to its location at the border the city it housed a military unit belonging to Constatin Brancoveanu. The settlement’s basic function was of safety guard and also of transmitting the correspondence to Istanbul, its name being changed into Calarasi vel Lichiresti and mentioned on Austrian maps from those times.

During the nineteen century the city develops more and more as a result of the intense commercial activities held here, determining in this way the recognition of Calarasi as a city. Also in that period the city became the capital of Ialomita County and continued to grow year after year. After the Second World War industry developed significantly especially the branches related to agriculture. Even today agriculture remains an important occupation for the locals, the resulted crops being transported by boat, abroad or within the country. It has commercial connection with nearby cities like Bucharest and Satu Mare.