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.
Geography
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
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
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.
