Brad is a city in Hunedoara County in the Transylvania region of Romania. Its name comes from the Romanian word brad, „fir„.

Geography

Brad lies in the valleys of the river Crișul Alb and its tributaries Brad and Luncoiu. Five villages are administered by the city: Mesteacăn („birch“; Mesztákon), Potingani (Pottingány), Ruda-Brad (Ruda), Țărățel (Cerecel) and Valea Bradului („the valley of the fir tree“; Vályabrád).

History

A gold mine in the area began to be exploited in Roman times, and the town developed around it. The earliest documentary mention of Brad dates to 1445. Gold mining was active until 2006. There is a Gold Museum.

Historic building

Brad railway station is listed as a historic monument.