What Salaj is known for

Zalau, located in Salaj County, showcases several notable cultural attractions. For instance, the Art and History Museum Zalau has a history dating back to its inauguration in 1951. With over 90,000 items on display, including ancient coins, Roman-Dacian statues, and a range of historical documents and artifacts. It features archaeological collections of cave paintings dating back 100,000 years, the Bronze Age, and the Dacian and Roman eras. Additionally, the Ioan Sima Art Gallery was founded in 1951 and later reorganized in 1971 to house popular art exhibitions. It holds the Ioan Sima Collection, featuring 162 paintings and graphic items donated by the artist and contributions from other Romanian artists. The gallery also includes contemporary artists' exhibitions, a Lepidoptera and Coleoptera collection, and an etymological collection. Furthermore, Zalau features several architectural landmarks, such as the Transylvania building, the city hall building, the Roman Catholic Church, the Reformed Church, and the Dormition of Our Lady Orthodox Church. Republic Street holds historical significance as the place where Swedish king Carol XII once stayed and where Hungarian poet Ady Endre spent his high school years.[6]

One of the historical sights in Zalau City is Porolissum, an ancient Roman city in Dacia that was initially established as a military camp in 106 during Trajan's Dacian Wars. Situated eight kilometers from the modern city of Zalau, Porolissum reportedly ranks today among the country's most extensive and well-preserved archaeological sites. Although initial archaeological efforts date back to the 19th century, it wasn't until 1977 that systematic excavations began, uncovering remnants of the military installations and the civilian city. Discoveries include public baths, a customs house, a temple, an amphitheater, an insula with four buildings, and several houses.[7]

Nature enthusiasts can visit the Jibou Botanical Garden, an attraction established in 1968 under the guidance of Professor Vasile Fati. Situated on a 25-hectare area within the Wesselényi complex, it is surrounded by hills, at an elevation of 272 meters. Thus, the environment allows for a range of botanical species. The garden showcases a considerable collection, housing more than 5,000 plant species sourced from various global regions. Among its activities, the Botanical Garden cultivates a diverse array of ornamental plants, which are used for demonstration and beautification purposes in parks and educational institutions. The garden's staff also organizes scientific events, seminars, and symposia, participating in national and international congresses while contributing to domestic and international publications.[8]

Geography

Salaj County is situated in the northwestern region of Romania, serving as a transitional zone between the Western and Eastern Carpathian Mountains. The geography of the county is fairly diverse, primarily dominated by hills and mountains. To name some of the local plateaus, there is the Somes Plateau and the Silvania Piedmont Hills, and in the southwestern region, the higher elevations include two northern branches of the Apuseni Mountains, namely the Meses and Plopis slopes. The county's hydrographic network features several rivers, including the Somes, Crasna, Almas, Agrij, Salaj, and Barcau, as well as some lakes, covering a total area of 57.8 square kilometers, which accounts for 1.5% of the county's total land area. In terms of mineral wealth, Salaj County has brown coal, lignite, limestone, extensive quartz sand deposits, alabaster, clay, and various types of tuff known as "trass." Additionally, the region is known for its mineral waters, visited for their therapeutic properties, aiding in the treatment of conditions such as rheumatism, gastric issues, and diabetes. Furthermore, Salaj County is home to significant thermal springs with water temperatures reaching 41°C.[1]

One of the natural protected areas in Salaj County is Gradina Zmeilor or the Garden of Kites. This nature reserve spans 3 hectares and was established in 2000, encompassing a natural region within the Somesan Plateau, a subunit of the Transylvanian Hilly Depression, characterized by an assortment of distinctive rock formations, including the "Cătanii Girl," "Zmeul si Meoaica," "Santa," "Monks," "Captain," and "Cleopatra's Needle." These rocks showcase a variety of shapes, including towers, mushrooms, needles, and cliffs, formed over time due to various geological processes. The geological structures consist mainly of gray-yellow sandstones with microconglomerate layers shaped by prolonged exposure to environmental factors such as freezing-thawing, wind, temperature fluctuations, water erosion, and gravitational forces. Furthermore, the reserve disposes considerable plant life, featuring species such as hornbeam, beech, oak, cherry, lime, ash, quaking poplar, hazel, and dogwood. The area also supports a range of wildlife, including mammals such as wild boars, squirrels, red foxes, hares, various bird species, reptiles, amphibians, and insects, some of which are protected by European Council directives.[4]

The climate in Salaj County is temperate continental.[1] In general, the rainiest season of the year in Salaj tends to be summer, namely June, with 107 millimeters of precipitation on average. However, summer is also the warmest time, with the average temperatures peaking in August at 28°C.[5]

History

Archaeological records provide evidence that the region, situated on both sides of the Meses Mountains, offered "good living conditions" for the early inhabitants in the Upper Paleolithic era. Ancient artifacts in Salaj County were discovered, with relics found in Buciumi and Perii Vadului. There were also distinctive red drawings in the Cuciulat Cave, a settlement located along the banks of the Somes River. Furthermore, people can find remnants from the Dacian period throughout the county. The region features significant archaeological sites such as the settlement and fortification complex at Magura Simleu-Silvaniei, also known as Dacidava, as well as Moigrad (Porolissum), which was declared the capital city of the Dacia Porolissensis province during Roman times. Additionally, there are Roman camps in locations such as Buciumi, Romita, Tihau, and Românasi, providing insights into the civilization and history of this area, documented since ancient times.[1]

Salaj County's history is marked by Hungarian conquests and autonomy within Hungary. During the Middle Ages, the area was dominated by a political alliance called the Unio Trium Nationum. After various transitions, including Ottoman suzerainty and Habsburg rule, it became part of Hungary. After World War I, it was transferred to Romania in 1920. Later, in the interwar period, Salaj thrived within Greater Romania under leader Iuliu Maniu, as it experienced demographic changes and cultural diversity. During World War II, Salaj briefly returned to Hungarian control but was restored to Romania in 1944. Under the Communist regime, the county was disestablished in 1950 but re-established in 1968.[2]

Today, the Salaj area is known for producing metal goods, building materials, timber, and food items, with lignite mining operations in Sărmăşag, Bobota, and Ip. Other towns in Sălaj include Jibou, Cehu Silvaniei, Şimleul Silvaniei, and Gâlgău. The county's agriculture focuses on livestock, cereal cultivation, and viticulture.[3]