RecaÃÂ (archaically Armag; ; ; ) is a town in TimiÃÂ County, Romania. Six villages are administered by the town: BazoÃÂ, Herneacova, Izvin, NadÃÂÃÂ, Petrovaselo, and Stanciova. It received town status in April 2004. RecaÃÂ is best known for the wine produced in the surrounding hills.
RecaÃÂ covers an area of , 2.66% of the total area of TimiÃÂ County, and is located in an area of sunny hills, favorable to agriculture.
RecaÃÂ is crossed to the south by the TimiÃÂ River and the Bega Canal. The climate is temperate continental with a slight Mediterranean influence, the winters being generally mild, the summers warm, the autumns long and the transitions from winter to summer quite sudden. Climatic and soil characteristics make this area particularly conducive to viticulture.
Recaàis characterized by a hilly landscape that serves as a transitional zone between the northern highlands and the southern plains. In the northern part of the commune, approximately 45% of the terrain consists of the Lipova Hills, which form a natural link between the Banat Piedmont and the Western Plain. This areaâÂÂincluding the localities of Stanciova, Herneacova, and NadÃÂÃÂâÂÂexhibits piedmont features, with a general slope oriented from north-northeast to south-southwest and altitudes ranging between 280 and 178 meters.
As a result of both areal and linear erosion processes acting upon the platform bordered by streams, ravines, torrents, and creeks, a variety of landforms have developed. These can be classified as follows:
The local resources include the Bega and TimiÃÂ rivers, which flow south of RecaÃÂ and BazoÃÂ, respectively; the forests of BazoÃÂ, NadÃÂÃÂ, and Herneacova; and fertile soils well-suited for vegetable cultivation and viticulture. The RecaÃÂ vineyards represent a significant resource, being cultivated both by RecaÃÂ Wineries and individual private growers.
The oldest mention of RecaÃÂ dates from 1318. It has had its present name since the Middle Ages (as Rekas in 1450). The name has a Slavic root ( = stream), but there is evidence that the village was Vlach. Thus, historian shows that, in 1359, several Romanian families from Moldavia settled in RecaÃÂ, who received land and privileges from King Louis the Great, without being forced to give up Orthodoxy. But a little later the Bulgarians received the same rights, so the ethnic composition was more varied.
It was noticed early on as an important center in the region. In 1470 there was an oppidum Rekas, which comprised 20 localities. It therefore received town privileges, and there was even a customs office here. In 1650, Serbs from the BaÃÂka area settled in RecaÃÂ. The locals called them ÃÂocaÃÂi ("shocked") because they were of Catholic religion and, according to some opinions, were Croats.
Following the waves of colonization, in the middle of the 17th century, three distinct settlements were formed: RecaÃÂul Valahilor (VlaÃÂniÃÂa; "Vlachs' RecaÃÂ"), RecaÃÂul ÃÂocaÃÂilor (of the Serbs) and RecaÃÂul Bulgarilor ("Bulgarians' RecaÃÂ"). The Romanians had a less favorable location, close to the TimiÃÂ River, in the area of today's train station. Due to frequent floods and conflicts with the Serbs, they were forced to move, with many settling in the neighboring village of Izvin. Therefore, when the Habsburgs conquered Banat and drew up the first census, the "Vlachs' RecaÃÂ" appears as depopulated.
Under the Habsburgs, RecaÃÂ experienced a new stage of development, and colonization continued. In 1764, administrator Koll brought a large number of German settlers, who formed the nucleus of the "German RecaÃÂ". Until 1786, several waves of Swabian emigrants settled in RecaÃÂ in search of a better life. After Banat came under Hungarian administration, a process of Hungarianization and colonization with Hungarians took place. Hungarianization actually began around 1809, and the largest wave of Hungarian colonists settled in RecaÃÂ in 1899. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, RecaÃÂ experienced an unprecedented period of development, polarizing social and economic life in the area (prefecture seat, court, land registry office and preception). In 1894 the brick factory with 100 employees was built, and in 1902 the first German newspaper, Temesrekaser Zeitung, appeared with weekly editions. During the interwar period, RecaÃÂ had a primary school, a Catholic confessional school, a casino, a fire brigade, a German agricultural circle and a sports club.
During the communist period (1948-1989), RecaÃÂ had the status of a commune with six villages belonging to it (BazoÃÂ, Herneacova, Izvin, NadÃÂÃÂ, Petrovaselo and Stanciova). Following a local referendum and the fulfillment of the necessary administrative conditions, RecaÃÂ acquired town status in 2004.
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</div> RecaÃÂ had a population of 8,347 inhabitants at the 2021 census, up 0.13% from the 2011 census. Most inhabitants are Romanians (72.39%), larger minorities being represented by Hungarians (3.57%) and Serbs (1.76%). For 20.83% of the population, ethnicity is unknown. By religion, most inhabitants are Orthodox (60.47%), but there are also minorities of Pentecostals (8.27%), Roman Catholics (6.37%) and Serbian Orthodox (1.71%). For 21.42% of the population, religious affiliation is unknown.
The town of RecaÃÂ is administered by a mayor and a local council composed of 17 councilors. The mayor, Aurel-Adrian Pavel, from the Social Democratic Party, has been in office since 2024. As from the 2024 local elections, the local council has the following composition by political parties:
The area is best known for the quality of its wines. RecaÃÂ Wineries (), founded in 1991, is the largest producer and exporter of wines in Romania. However, viticulture has a much older tradition in the area, which dates back to the 15th century. The grape varieties grown by RecaÃÂ Wineries are: Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Negru de DrÃÂgÃÂÃÂani, Novac, Acalon, Cabernet Dorsa, Zweigelt, CadarcÃÂ, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, FeteascÃÂ RegalÃÂ, FeteascÃÂ AlbÃÂ, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Muscat Ottonel, Furmint, Italian Riesling, and Rhine Riesling.
It is noteworthy, however, that in recent years economic activity has begun to diversify.
RecaÃÂ is twinned with: