Predeal (pronounced [preˈde̯al]; Hungarian: Predeál) is a town in Brașov County, Transylvania, Romania. Predeal, a mountain resort town, is the highest town in Romania. It is located in the Prahova Valley at an elevation of over 1,000 m (3,281 ft).

Predeal
Town
View of Predeal from Clăbucet-plecare Chalet (1445m);[2] behind is the Postăvarul massif
Coat of arms
Administrative territory of Predeal in Brașov County
Predeal Location in Romania
Coordinates: 45°30′16″N 25°34′42″E
Country	Romania
County	Brașov
Established	26 February 1705 (first attestation)[3]
Subdivisions	Pârâul Rece, Timișu de Jos, Timișu de Sus[4]
Government
• Mayor (2020–2024)	Sorin Ciobanu[5] (PNL)
Area	57.1 km2 (22.0 sq mi)
Highest elevation	1,107 m (3,632 ft)
Lowest elevation	1,030 m (3,380 ft)
Population  (2011)[6]	4,755
• Density	83/km2 (220/sq mi)
Time zone	EET/EEST (UTC+2/+3)
Postal code	505300
Area code	0268
Vehicle reg.	BV
Website	primaria-predeal.ro

The town administers three villages: Pârâul Rece, Timișu de Jos and Timișu de Sus. Predeal is twinned with Macugnaga, Italy.[7]

Beginning in the 2000s, the area experienced a boom in construction, and now many wealthy families own mountain retreats in Predeal.

During the 2013 European Youth Olympic Winter Festival, it hosted the cross-country skiing and snowboarding competitions.

Name

The name Predeal is derived from the Slavic word predel, which means "border".[8]

History

The town was severely damaged during the Battle of Predeal Pass in World War I. Although the town itself was lost to the attacking Central Powers' forces, the battle ultimately resulted in a Romanian defensive victory.

Geography

Predeal is situated in the Centru development region of Romania, in the Prahova Valley, in the southern part of Brașov County. Neighboring towns include Azuga to the south, Bușteni to the southwest, Râșnov to the northwest and Brașov to the north.

The town is mountainous, with the Piatra Mare mountains to the north, the Bucegi mountains to the southwest and the Postăvarul Massif to the northwest. The woods around Predeal have a rich and diversified fauna, including a high number of wild boars, European pine martens, bears, foxes, gray wolves, deer, squirrels, rabbits, badgers and heather cocks.

Climate

Predeal has a warm-summer and cold în winter (with a lot of snow) humid continental climate (Dfb in the Köppen climate classification).

Tourism

The town of Predeal is a well-known tourist destination in Romania, especially in winter.

Predeal has five major ski runs, each with a difficulty grade. Most of them have snowmaking guns, and some are fitted with floodlights and ski lifts. The slopes range from 790 metres (2,590 ft) (Clăbucet variantă) to 2,243 metres (7,359 ft) (Cocoșul).[9]

Some of the town's tourist attractions include the 3 Brazi Chalet, The Susai Chalet and The Poiana Secuilor Chalet. In close proximity to Predeal are several tourist destinations, including the Peleş Castle, Râșnov Citadel, Bran Castle, The Old Town of Brașov, Biserica Neagră and the Seven Ladders Canyon.

The town has been certified as a climate resort by government decree (H.G. 226/1992) due to the strongly ionized air rich in ultraviolet radiation and the low atmospheric pressure. Because of this, Predeal is popular within the holistic healing community.

Infrastructure

The town is crossed by two national roads (DN73A and DN1) and one national railway (Line 300, one of the main lines in Romania). Predeal is one of the cities which will be crossed by the future Bucharest – Brașov motorway.

Gallery

• 
  Predeal Monastery
• 
  Street in Predeal
• 
  Predeal railway station
• 
  Timișu de Jos village

Notes

References

• Strategia de dezvoltare a orașului Predeal

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Predeal.

• Town map
• Pictures and landscapes from the Carpathian Mountains
• Predeal-alpine station, accommodation, sensitive map

На других языках

[de] Predeal

[ru] Предял