Cluj-Napoca – Romania’s Technopolis

Cluj-Napoca, commonly known as Cluj, is the fourth largest city in Romania and the seat of Cluj County in the northwestern part of the country.

Geographically, it is roughly equally distant fromBucharest, Budapest and Belgrade. Located on the Somesul Mic River valley, the city is considered an informal capital to the historical province of Transylvania, and, in 1790-1848 and 1861–1867, was the capital of the Grand Principality of Transylvania.

The city spreads out from St. Michael’s Church in Unirii Square, built in the 14th century and named after the Archangel Michael, the patron saint of Cluj-Napoca. The boundaries of the municipality contain an area of 179.52 square kilometres (69.31 sq mi). An analysis undertaken by the real estate agency Profesional Casa indicates that, because of infrastructure development, communes such as Feleacu, Vâlcele, Martinesti, Jucu and Baciu will eventually become neighbourhoods of the city, thereby enlarging its area.

Educational hub

Cluj-Napoca experienced a decade of decline during the 1990s, its international reputation suffering from the policies of its mayor of the time,Gheorghe Funar. Today, the city is one of the most important academic, cultural, industrial and business centres in Romania. Among other institutions, it hosts the largest university in the country, Babes-Bolyai University, with its famous botanical garden; nationally renowned cultural institutions; as well as the largest Romanian-owned commercial bank.

Monocle magazine identified Cluj-Napoca as one of the top five places worldwide that are due their turn in the international spotlight during 2008. According to the American magazine Information Week, Cluj-Napoca is quickly becoming Romania’s technopolis.