History

    Traces of human activities can be found since Paleolithic, with intense progress in the Dacian-Roman age. Orastie city was at one point a Dacian-Roman fortification, and along the time as suffered several transformations in relation to the strategical position. Orastie was destroyed and rebuild several times during the centuries due to firm attitude of his cohabitants, the Getae (named by the Greeks)  or Dacians (by Roman definition).

    The city's first documented Diploma of the city in 1224 was granted by the Hungarian King,  Andrei II to renew the privileges  to the German population brought here to populate the area and also to recognize the presence of  native population.

    In XIV century the population of Orastie counted around 1,300 souls and commerce with other Romanian Counties, Poland and Dalmatia flourished.

    At the end of XVth century the territory was declared "civitas" a city with the right to be represented in the Diet.

    With the beginning of the 1853, the city was the Capital Region of the 10th administrative center of Transylvania, the Orastie Region. Orastie region was devised in other 9 districts called "Plase". Those "Plase" where Deva, Halmagiu, Hateg, Baia de Cris, Ilia-Muresana, Soimus and Hunedoara.

    At the Great union in Alba-Iulia in December 1st 1918, Orastie city was represented by a delegation. In the year 1974 was the anniversary of 750 years from the first incorporation record.

Crafts and Crafters from Orastie

    Orastie city was always known  as a city of craftsmen and craftsmanship. Local craftsmen and artisans where well known beyond city's limits. The notable Neolithic culture at Turdas (4 miles from Orastie) affirms a strong evolution of the crafts in this area. 13 centuries ago, Orastie region was the birthplace of "CARUL DE BRONZ DE LA ORASTIE" the earthen pot with a distinct artistic refinement for a 7th century craftsmen.  Based on the existent statues in 1376, at Orastie where mentioned 25 craftsmen associations and those representing craftsmen where organized in 19 distinct craft trades: furriers, butchers, glove makers, bakers, wool workers, potters, knife makers, tailors ...etc. In 1897 was inaugurated the first Romanian craftsman union.
 

Spiritual endorsements
 

     1581-1582  Deacon Serban, son of Deacon Coresi printed in Orastie a religious book called PALIA DE LA ORASTIE. One of the first Romanian books to be printed.
     1913 took place Astra Society festivities.
     1919 founded "Aurel Vlaicu" high school
     Along the centuries Orastie region was the place of  origin  of many luminous minds of Romanian spiritual and technical valor. The remarkable humanist Nicolae Olahus, writer Ion Budai Deleanu, engineer and pilot Aurel Vlaicu, journalist Sebastian Bornemisa, the great unionist and revolutionary Dr. Aurel Vlad, banker Ion Mihu, director of orchestra Ioan Branga, poet Valeriu Todea, developer of many farm equipment machines Ioan Vulcu.
     Orastie city was the home of over 20 newspapers and magazines,  all products of renamed local printing shops.
 

Foreign documents relating Orastie's presence
 

    "Chorographia Transilvanie" 1550 by Georg Reicherstorffer - printed in Vienna
     " Orastie about a mile away from the  "Field of bread", is located along Mures river. The soil is very fertile and plenty of wheat, wine and all kinds of farming goods around here..."

    Giovannandrea Gromo - in document dated 1566 - 1567 describes Orastie:
     "This city is not surrounded by walls is almost like a village. In the middle of the village has a small fortress surrounded by a  weak wall. Here you can find a population that handles commerce. The city is rich and has all kinds of food products and good places for hunting."

Geographic setting of Orastie city
Maps:
            Romania -Orastie city marked red
            Orastie region

    The city is located in south western Transylvania, south of Mures river and west of the illustrious "Field of bread". The coordinates of the city being 45°- 49'- 3" north latitude and 23°-12'-5" longitude east. At an average sea level distance of 220 meters.

Climate

 Temperate climate with an average annual temperature is +9.8°C. January average -3°C and July +20°C