Băilești () 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 to the south. Băilești is located in the southern half of Dolj County, southwest of the county seat, Craiova and northeast of Calafat, a port city on the Danube.
History
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.
During World War I, 156 people from Băilești died on the battlefield; in 1924 sculptor 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 Ștefan Baiaram (born 2002), footballer Ștefan Bană (born 2004), footballer Augustin Botescu, football manager Georgiana Ciuciulete (born 1987), handballer Valerică Găman (born 1989), footballer Marcel Iureș (born 1951), stage and film actor Florea Martinovici (1940–2011), footballer Adriana Nechita (born 1983), handballer Amza Pellea (1931–1983), actor Joseph Schubert (1889–1952), Canadian politician Simona Staicu (born 1971), long-distance and marathon runner
References