What Bistrita-Nasaud is known for

Bistrița, the capital city of Bistrița-Nasaud, found in the southern part of the county, bears several cultural and historical landmarks visited by tourists. The Coopers' Tower, a relic of Bistrița's medieval fortress, hosts a collection of folklore masks and puppets, while the Orthodox Church, initially Franciscan—dating back to the late 13th century—exhibits Cistercian gothic-style carvings and baroque interior restorations. Bistrița Evangelical Church, built by Transylvanian Saxons, showcases Renaissance influences and features a 246-foot steeple. Furthermore, it houses historic flags, renaissance-style pews, and an 18th-century organ. On the Main Square, people can visit the Șugalete Medieval Buildings, comprising 15th and 16th-century houses, now serving as galleries. Finally, the Silversmith's House, constructed between 1560 and 1563, displays Renaissance stone carvings and houses Bistrița's Fine Arts, Music, and Folk Dance Schools.[3]

However, Bistrița isn't the only historical city in the area. Bârgăul village serves as a hub for a folk art community and is located close to Mount Henuil Mare, distinguished by its pyramid shape and elevation of 5,289 feet. Also within the area is the town of Coșbuc, named after the renowned poet Gheorghe Coșbuc, who was born there. Beclean, Năsăud, and Rodna cities tend to be visited for their church architecture, with Năsăud also featuring a museum exhibiting medieval weaponry, ceramics, and currency. Additionally, Reteag town houses a museum dedicated to Ion Pop Reteganul, a chronicler of folktales and a collector of folk art.[9]

One of the outdoor attractions is Via Transilvanica, a 1,400-kilometer-long tourist route crossing Romania, designed for hiking, cycling, or horseback riding. It spans from Putna to Drobeta Turnu Severin, marked by painted signs, signposts, and carved andesite bollards every kilometer. Passing through ten counties and seven cultural-historical lands, it showcases Transylavnia's natural and cultural heritage across 107 administrative units.[7] The portion of Via Transilvanica that crosses the Bistrița-Năsăud county is called Ținutul de Sus. Traversing the local terrain, people can observe how the inhabitants of Bistrița Nasaud adapted to the land features over time. The section of Via Transilvanica that passes through the county transitions from mountainous zones to lowland forests, hills, expansive fields, and towns filled with cultural heritage cultivated over centuries by diverse ethnic groups inhabiting the area.[8]

Geography

Bistrița-Nasaud County is situated in the central-eastern region of Romania, encompassing the headwaters of the Great Somes River. The county covers an area of 5,355 square kilometers, which constitutes 2.2% of Romania's total area, with Bistrița serving as the county's administrative center. Geographically, Bistrița-Nasaud County features diverse landscapes comprising three distinct geographical zones: the mountainous region, the hilly area, and the meadow zone. The mountain zone encompasses the Eastern Carpathian Arch, including massifs such as Tibles, Rodna, Suhard, Bârgau, and Calimani, with elevations averaging approximately 1,500 meters above sea level and peaks reaching higher altitudes, such as Ineu Peak at 2,279 m and Calimani Peak at 2,100 m. Hilly landscapes can be found in the central-western part of the county, covering about two-thirds of its total area. Finally, the meadow zone consists of the floodplains along the major rivers, particularly the Great Somes and its tributaries, accounting for approximately 3% of the Bistrita-Nasaud's territory.[4]

Rodna National Park in the Romanian Rodna Mountains, located in the northernmost part of the Bistrița-Nasaud County, is reportedly the largest protected area in the Carpathians. It covers 179.92 square miles and additionally features the longest continuous ridge in Romania, stretching 31 miles. Notably, the park's highest summit is Pietrosul Rodnei, at 7,555.77 feet. Designated as a UNESCO biosphere, the area of Rodna National Park provides a variety of habitats, including alpine, subalpine, grasslands, and beech forest landscapes. Furthermore, caves, valleys, and springs contribute to the park's territory as well. Rodna's wildlife includes brown bears, wolves, lynxes, and eagles, to name a few, with other more rare species protected by Romanian law and the IUCN Red List inhabiting the park as well. People visiting Rodna National Park can also indulge in outdoor activities such as horseback riding, cycling, and hiking, enabling exploration of the area.[5]

Regarding climatic conditions, Bistrița-Nasaud County is found in a continental temperate climate.[4] The warmest month in Bistrița, the capital of Bistrița-Nasaud County, is August, with an average daily temperature of 23°C. Reportedly, January is the coldest month, as temperatures average highs of -2°C. February tends to be the driest month in Bistrița because it generally receives 38 millimeters of rainfall on average. The most precipitation that falls annually typically occurs during June, with an average of about 109 millimeters.[6]

History

Once part of the Roman province of Dacia, evident through Roman forts, Bistrița-Nasaud territory faced the Tatar invasions in 1241 - 1242. Bistrița as a city emerged in history in 1264 and eventually gained rights by 1353, namely its own seal and annual fair. Later, defensive walls were granted to the town in 1409, while the Nasăud settlement was only first documented in 1440. During its history, the Bistrița-Nasaud region witnessed various rulerships, including Petru Rareș from 1529 to 1546, and endured the attacks from General Giorgio Basta in 1601. In the following years, Empress Maria Theresa established a stringent border system, affecting valleys such as Rodna and Śieului. Subsequently, several institutions and schools were founded, including the Greek-Catholic Superior Gymnasium and the Romanian National Council in 1918, reportedly leaving a considerable historical imprint.[1]

Concerning the history of the county's capital Bistrița, the city was established in the 12th century through the arrival of German immigrants. With its annual fair, Bistrița facilitated the development of markets across Moldavia. In 1713, Romanian residents were expelled from the city by Saxon authorities, yet they eventually returned. Bistrița became officially part of Romania in 1918 when Transylvania joined the country as well. However, the town fell under Hungarian rule from 1940 to 1944 before becoming part of Romania as we know it today.[2] Today, the city features various historical attractions, such as Bistrița Nasaud County Museum. Housed in a former garrison, the County Museum showcases a range of Romanian, Saxon, and Hungarian folk art, as well as paintings and carvings representing the Transylvanian art school. Within the History Section, exhibits encompass a historical span that includes a Mycenaean-style bronze sword from the 14th century B.C., Thracian bronze tools from the 13th to 10th centuries B.C., Scythian jewelry and weapons from the 6th century B.C., and a collection of pottery, arms, and artifacts from the extensive Celtic necropolis at Fantanele, spanning the 4th to 2nd centuries B.C.[3]