Chilia Veche (Romanian pronunciation: /kiˈlija ˈveˈke/; meaning Old Chilia; Ukrainian: Стара Кілія, romanizedStara Kiliia) is a commune in Tulcea County, Northern Dobruja, Romania, in the Danube Delta. It gave its name to the Chilia branch of the Danube, which separates it from Ukraine. It is composed of four villages: Câșlița, Chilia Veche, Ostrovu Tătaru and Tatanir.

Chilia Veche
Church in Chilia Veche
Church in Chilia Veche
Coat of arms of Chilia Veche
Location in Tulcea County
Location in Tulcea County
Chilia Veche is located in Romania
Chilia Veche
Chilia Veche
Location in Romania
Coordinates: 45°25′N 29°17′E / 45.417°N 29.283°E / 45.417; 29.283
CountryRomania
CountyTulcea
SubdivisionsCâșlița, Chilia Veche, Ostrovu Tătaru, Tatanir
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2024) Timur-Alexandru Ciauș[1] (PRO)
Area
533.58 km2 (206.02 sq mi)
Population
 (2021-12-01)[2]
1,728
 • Density3.2/km2 (8.4/sq mi)
Time zoneEET/EEST (UTC 2/ 3)
Vehicle reg.TL
Websitewww.primariachilia.ro

Founded by the Greek Byzantines, it was given its name after the word for "granaries" - κελλίa, kellia, recorded earliest in 1241 in the works of Persian chronicler Rashid al-Din. Some scholars consider the mediaeval Genoese trade centre known as Lycostomo (Λυκόστομο) was also located here.[citation needed] A town on the other side of the Danube, now in Ukraine, known as Nova Kiliia (Romanian: Chilia Nouă) or "New Chilia", was built by Stephen the Great of Moldavia in order to counteract the Ottoman Empire (that had taken control of the former town in the 15th century).

Ostrovu Tătaru village, which has no permanent population, is located on Tătaru Mare Island.

References

edit
  1. ^ "Results of the 2020 local elections". Central Electoral Bureau. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  2. ^ "Populaţia rezidentă după grupa de vârstă, pe județe și municipii, orașe, comune, la 1 decembrie 2021" (XLS). National Institute of Statistics.