Bistriţa (Hungarian: Beszterce, German: Bistritz) is the capital city of Bistrita-Nasaud county, Transylvania, Romania. It is situated on the Bistriţa river.

History

In the 13th century, Bistriţa was a flourishing trade post, being situated on several trade routes. In 1241 it was devastated by the Mongols on their way to Central Europe.

In 1353, Bistriţa gained the right to organize an annual 15 day fair, as well as a seal. The seal's coat of arms contained an ostrich with a horseshoe in its beak.

In 1465, the city had 18 defence towers and bastions which were defended by the local guilds.

Population

2005: 100,000

Transportation

The major cities directly linked by trains are Bucharest via a night train, ans Cluj-Napoca via several trains.

Bistrita also serves as a midway point for C&I, http://www.cdy.ro a transportation service, and is a changing point for peopole traveling between Suceava, Satu Mare, Cluj, Sibiu, Sighisoara, Tirgu Mures, and Brasov.