Braila, located in the southeastern part of Romania, is one of the country's 41 self-governing units. The county is bordered to the east by Tulcea and Constanta, to the north by Vrancea and Galati, to the west by Buzau, and to the south by Ialomita. The county covers approximately 4,766 square kilometers. Thus, it is reportedly one of the smallest counties in Romania. Its capital city, also called Braila, can be found in the county's northeastern part, lying on the shores of the Danube River.[1] The town was first documented as "Drinago" in an ancient Spanish geographical and travel account and appeared on various Catalan maps from 1325 to 1330. In 1368, it was referred to as "Brayla" in a transport and trade privilege granted to Brasov merchants.[2] Being a city of considerable history, people who are visiting can explore its cultural and historical heritage, such as its old town with Traian Square and the Romanian Orthodox Church.[6] In terms of geographical conditions, the landscape of Braila County consists primarily of flat terrain, including the Central and Northern Baragan plains, as well as the Danube meadow referred to as the Braila Moor. Additionally, the region is complemented by the meadows surrounding the Siret, Buzau, and Calmatui rivers.[1]
Brăila Old Town, centered around Traian Square, also called Piața Traian, features various historical and cultural landmarks. Those include the Romanian Orthodox Church, which previously served as a mosque during Ottoman rule. As for the Greek Church, this building was constructed between 1862 and 1872 and showcases frescoes painted in 1890 by Romanian artist Gheorghe Tătărescu. Furthermore, people can visit the St. Nicholas Church, also known as Biserica Sf. Nicolae, which dates back to 1865. In the city of Braila is also found the Maria Filotti Theatre, from the 19th century, and the historic Water Tower, which belongs among considerable local attractions as well. Braila County Museum, situated in the former French Hotel, features archeology, history, art, and ethnographic sections. Moreover, the museum houses local Neolithic and Bronze Age artifacts, traditional furniture, sepia photos, and more. Additionally, Macin Mountains National Park lies in close proximity to county borders and the city of Braila itself. The national park hosts the Tutuiatu Peak, with its highest point at 1,495 feet.[6]
In the southeastern part of Braila County is located the Balta Mică a Brăilei Natural Park. The park features three designated entry points for tourists. The primary access point via European Road 60 is the Giurgeni Commune, leading to the "Egreta" protected area. Tourists can explore that part of the park by using light boats, such as kayaks, canoes, fast boats, and steamboats.
The second entrance to the park is accessible from the Nautical Base. From there, visitors can reach the "Fundu Mare" protected area within 15 minutes using fast boats or 30 minutes by steamboat.
Gropeni Commune, the third entry point, is reached via an asphalted road and a ferry crossing to the Big Island of Brăilei. Light boats are then used to navigate the Danube and Vâlciu arm towards Insula Mică a Brăilei, followed by downstream exploration on the Calia arm and Navigable Danube towards Calia Island.[8]
Situated in the southeastern part of Romania, Braila is among the country's smallest counties, constituting approximately 2% of the nation's total land area. The county's landscape is covered mainly by plains, encompassing the Central and Northern Baragan regions, along with the Danube meadow referred to as the Braila Moor. Those territories are supplemented by the fields adjacent to the Siret, Buzau, and Calmatui rivers. While the region's underground resources are relatively limited, sedimentary rock clays from quaternary deposits are utilized for brick and tile production. At the same time, sands from various quarries serve as construction materials in places such as Braila, Faurei, and Însuratei. Additionally, the therapeutic attributes of salt lake water and mud have led to the establishment of treatment facilities around some of the lakes. Notably, a mineral thermal sulfurous water source featuring various healing properties was identified in Însuratei, with an external temperature reaching up to 60°C.[1]
Concerning some of the natural protected areas, Jirlau Lake, covering 8.9 square kilometers, holds the status of an ornithological sanctuary and is included—alongside the Danube Delta and other reserves in the country—in the roster of 2,440 aqua-fauna areas of European significance. Within the confines of the Great Island of Braila, formed by the drainage of the Braila Moor, lies "Popina Blasova," a proof of the Hercynian erosion of the Dobroudja Mountains.[1] Furthermore, in the southern part of Braila County in the Lower Danube region lies the Small Island of Braila Natural Reserve, which houses a collection of wetlands, maintaining its natural hydrological conditions and showcasing floodplain habitats with a former inland delta. Spanning 61 kilometers across seven islands between two arms of the Danube near Braila, the site protects over 34 internationally protected bird species and 65 fish species. Nearby, the "Big Island of Braila" also complements the local ecosystem.[4]
In terms of the weather conditions, the local climate is temperate.[1] February tends to be the driest month in Braila because it generally receives 28 millimeters of rainfall on average. The most precipitation that falls annually typically occurs during June, with an average of about 57 millimeters.[5]
The origins of Braila City date back to the mid-14th century, with its significance as a commercial hub reportedly increasing from 1368 onwards. As the primary import-export gateway for Walachia's maritime trade, it became the Danube's earliest free harbor. During that time, various ethnic groups, including Greeks, Turks, Russians, Bulgarians, Jews, and Armenians, resided and coexisted peacefully in Braila, contributing to the town's cultural diversity. Thus, the city acted as a cultural and historical link between the Eastern and Southern realms.[1]
Concerning the city's recent history, Brăila developed considerably during the 19th century. Streets were paved, the status of porto-franco was granted, and various institutions emerged, including a theater and banks. The Rally Theatre, inaugurated in 1864, reportedly hosted several notable classical musicians of that time. Educational, cultural, and economic growth ensued, with several considerable figures participating in the National Cultural League's 1915 meeting. After World War I, the Palace of Agriculture foundation was laid in 1927, while Brăila's influence extended to setting European cereal prices at the Agricultural Exchange.[2]
With regard to the county's history as a whole, in the past, Braila County was situated in the southeastern area of Greater Romania, within the northeastern section of the Muntenia region. Its land reportedly encompassed the present-day county's eastern and southeastern areas along the Buzău River. It shared borders with Buzău and Râmnicu-Sărat counties to the west, Covurlui County to the north, Tulcea County to the east, and Constanța and Ialomița counties to the south.[3]
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