Băilești (Romanian pronunciation: [bə.iˈleʃtʲ]) is a city in Dolj County, Oltenia, Romania, with a population of 15,928 in 2021. One village, Balasan, is administered by the city.

Băilești
Church of the Holy Apostles in Băilești
Church of the Holy Apostles in Băilești
Coat of arms of Băilești
Băilești is located in Romania
Băilești
Băilești
Location in Romania
Coordinates: 44°1′51″N 23°21′9″E / 44.03083°N 23.35250°E / 44.03083; 23.35250
CountryRomania
CountyDolj
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2024) Costel Pistrițu[1] (PNL)
Area
163.76 km2 (63.23 sq mi)
Elevation
80 m (260 ft)
Population
 (2021-12-01)[2]
15,928
 • Density97/km2 (250/sq mi)
Time zoneEET/EEST (UTC+2/+3)
Postal code
205100
Area code(+40) 02 51
Vehicle reg.DJ
Websitewww.primariabailesti.ro

Geography

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The city lies in the western part of the Wallachian Plain, on the banks of the Balasan River, which flows into the Danube some 20 km (12 mi) to the south. Băilești is located in the southern half of Dolj County, 57 km (35 mi) southwest of the county seat, Craiova and 32 km (20 mi) northeast of Calafat, a port city on the Danube.[3]

History

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Historical population
YearPop.±%
1930 13,169—    
1948 15,289+16.1%
1956 15,932+4.2%
1966 18,490+16.1%
1977 19,890+7.6%
1992 22,344+12.3%
2002 22,231−0.5%
2011 16,283−26.8%
2021 15,928−2.2%
Source: Census data

The first documentary attestation of the town dates from January 4, 1536, during the reign of Prince Radu Paisie; the document recalls that the town existed since the time of Voivode Mircea the Elder.[3]

During World War I, 156 people from Băilești died on the battlefield; in 1924 sculptor Ioan Iordănescu [ro] constructed the Monument of the Băilești Heroes in their honor. During World War II, 108 citizens of Băilești died on the battlefield.

In 2001, Băilești was declared a municipality. The city has been expanding during the past few years; several commercial centers have been built, while banks and old buildings have been restored.

Natives

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References

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  1. ^ "Results of the 2020 local elections". Central Electoral Bureau. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  2. ^ "Populaţia rezidentă după grupa de vârstă, pe județe și municipii, orașe, comune, la 1 decembrie 2021" (XLS). National Institute of Statistics.
  3. ^ a b "Băilești cel mai oltenesc orășel". www.primariabailesti.ro (in Romanian). Băilești city hall. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
 
Băilești village, c. 1900