Aleșd is a town in Bihor County, western Romania. It is located in the east of the county, near the border with Cluj County.

History

After break-up of Austria-Hungary in 1918, the town became part of Romania in 1920. As a result of the Second Vienna Award, it has been returned to Hungary between 1940 and 1945. Aleşd was declared a town in 1968. It is certain that at first Alesd was on the shores of the Crișul Repede river (meaning ”The fast river”), in its floodplain. In the first half of the 18th century, the population moved to the terrace on the right bank of the Crişul Repede river, in the place that it occupies today. The move was made to escape the frequent floods.

Population

Aleșd has a population of 9,619 (2011 census), made up of Romanians (63.9%), Hungarians (16.04%), Roma (12.73%), Slovaks (6.59%), and others (0.42%).^[3] It administers three villages: Pădurea Neagră (Feketeerdő), Peștiș (Sólyomkőpestes) and Tinăud (Tinód).

Administration

Alesd City is run by a mayor and a local council composed of 17 councilors. Mayor, Ioan Coloman Todoca, from the National Liberal Party, was elected in 2016.