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Craiova History, Romania

Craiova History- The Antiquity

Craiova is one of the oldest human locations from Romania and also from Europe. It was mentioned in documents for the first time in 225 A.C., under the name Palendava.

Craiova History- Legends and disputes about the actual name of the city

The name of this town is a controversial subject. One thing is sure: it derives from the word “krajl” which means king. Some opinions are different: some sustain that the name comes from the lord Iovan that became for a short period emperor of the Wallachian-Bulgarian Empire, others sustain that there is a local legend that says that a someone named Iovan, while he was digging for a fountain on the Saint Dumitru Hill, found a treasure and became king.

The location appears for the first time under the name Craiova on an inscription found on the tomb of Vladislav I, then in the first of June 1475 in a document.

Craiova History-From a simple location to an important town

At the end of the 15th century, Craiova was considered a market, situated on the lands of the Craioveni boyars. In the second half of the 16th century, Craiova was often called a town, being the biggest and the most important trading place from the area.

Nicolae Iorga, a Romanian historic, considered that one of the most important battle in the history of the Romanians, the one from Rovine, when the Romanian people were under the rule of Mircea cel Batran, took place in the surroundings of Craiova. Under the rule of Mihai Viteazul, Craiova developed politically and military.

In 1770 Craiova was named the capital of Romania. Craiova collapses again at the end of the 18th century after the earthquake from 1790, the diseases from 1795 and after the devastating fire from 1796.

Craiova History- the 19th Century

In the first part of the 19th century, Craiova enjoys a fast economic development due to the increased number of craftsmen and tradesmen.

After the revolution from 1821 Craiova progressed economically, becoming the most powerful commercial center of Oltenia region. People started exporting all sorts of things in countries like Austria or Turkey.

In 1848 the number of inhabitants reached 20.000. In September the population raised against the foreign occupation.

Craiova History- the 20th Century

The beginning of the First World War was a crucial point in Craiova's history, the population of Romania considered that the war would ruin their lives. Romania was neutral in the first two years and then it joined the alliance Antanta. Craiova froze economically under the German administration.

In 1956 the population reached 100.000 people and Craiova grew to a powerful economic and cultural-academic center together with Timisoara and Arad.

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