View source for Rociu

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox Romanian subdivision
|type               = commune
|county             = Argeș
|name               = Rociu
|image_flag         =
|image_shield       = 
|image_skyline      = 
|image_caption      = 
|image_location     = 
|image_map          = Rociu jud Arges.png
|map_caption        = Location in Argeș County
|leader_name        = Victor-Mihai Bălășoiu<ref>{{cite web |url=https://prezenta.roaep.ro/locale27062021/romania-pv-final |title=Results of the 2021 local elections |publisher=Central Electoral Bureau |access-date=30 June 2021 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
|leader_party       = PSD
|term               = 2021&ndash;2024
|coordinates        = {{coord|44|40|N|25|2|E|region:RO|display=it}}
|elevation          = 227
|elevation_min      = 
|elevation_max      = 
|area_total         = 79.23
|area_footnotes     = 
|population_as_of   = 
|population_total   = auto
|population_footnotes = 
|postal_code        = 117625
|area_code          = +(40) 248
|website            = {{URL|https://primariarociu.ro/}}
}}
'''Rociu''' is a [[Commune in Romania|commune]] in [[Argeș County]], [[Muntenia]], [[Romania]]. It is composed of four villages: Gliganu de Jos, Gliganu de Sus, Rociu, and Șerbănești.

==History==
The oldest relics come from the [[Bronze Age]], from Șerbănești village.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cjarges.ro/rociu/obj.asp?id=2953 |title=Home > Comuna Rociu > Date Istorice |website=www.cjarges.ro |date=2011-01-27 |access-date=2011-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002092208/http://www.cjarges.ro/rociu/obj.asp?id=2953 |archive-date=2011-10-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Then, much later, the village Gliganu is mentioned, on June 12, 1564. The village belonged to a boyar from [[Rucăr]]. According to the same source, all four villages are mentioned after 1830.
In the [[Communism|Communist]] period, the commune received a strong impulse for economic growth: A {{cvt|25|km}} long [[irrigation]] canal was built to drain water from the [[Argeș (river)|Argeș River]].<ref name="autogenerated1">[http://www.anif.ro/.../20090818-revista%20ANIF%20nr.2%20-%202009.pdf Revista ANIF nr. 2] nif.ro {{dead link|date=March 2011}}</ref> Rociu received special attention because a farm of the [[Romanian Communist Party|Communist Party]] was built there.

==Location==
Rociu is situated in the southern part of Argeș County, in the Găvanu-Burdea plains.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cjarges.ro/rociu/obj.asp?id=2950 |title=Home > Comuna Rociu > Prezentare Rociu |publisher=Cjarges.ro |date=2011-01-27 |access-date=2011-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002092031/http://www.cjarges.ro/rociu/obj.asp?id=2950 |archive-date=2011-10-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is situated {{convert|25|to|30|km}} from the county seat, [[Pitești]]. The average altitude is {{cvt|240|m}}.

==Villages==
There are 4 villages: Rociu, Gliganu de Jos, Gliganu de Sus, and Șerbănești.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Village
!Distance to center
!Population
!Number of firms
!References
|-
| Rociu
| Center
| 662
| 17
| <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.listafirme.ro/harta/arges_rociu.htm | title=Harti de firme pe localitati din Romania }}</ref>
|-
| Gliganu de Jos
| 3&nbsp;km West
| 637
| 8
| <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.listafirme.ro/harta/arges_gliganu_de_jos.htm | title=Harti de firme pe localitati din Romania }}</ref>
|-
| Gliganu de Sus
| 6&nbsp;km North-West
| 971
| 8
| <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.listafirme.ro/harta/arges_gliganu_de_sus.htm | title=Harti de firme pe localitati din Romania }}</ref>
|-
| Șerbănești
| 8&nbsp;km North
| unknown
| unknown
| <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://harti.rocazare.com/arges/harta-serbanesti-rociu.html |title=Serbanesti Rociu &#124; Arges Harta, Imagini Satelit |access-date=2011-09-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402170814/http://harti.rocazare.com/arges/harta-serbanesti-rociu.html |archive-date=2012-04-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|}

==Geography==
The Găvanu-Burdea plain is a flat region, with large and fertile valleys.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.valeaglavaciocului.lx.ro/cadrul%20fiz-geo.htm |title=Cadrul fizico-geografic |publisher=Valeaglavaciocului.lx.ro |access-date=2011-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110418150709/http://www.valeaglavaciocului.lx.ro/cadrul%20fiz-geo.htm |archive-date=2011-04-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Rociu is situated close to the [[Dâmbovnic|Dâmbovnic River]] (sometimes called Drâmbovnic). There are a few smaller rivers that are dry in summer, such the [[Mozacu|Mozacu River]] and the [[Gligan|Gliganu River]]. There are many small lakes, used for fishing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pescuitmania.ro/ROCIU_ARGES_topic-503.htm |title=Rociu Argeș |website=www.pescuitmania.ro |date=2009-03-25 |access-date=2011-03-28}}</ref>

===Climate===
Rociu has a temperate climate, like all Romanian villages. Usually, summers are hot and winters have frequent winds.

==Demographics==
According to the 2002 census,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edrc.ro/recensamant.jsp?regiune_id=875&judet_id=876&localitate_id=953 |title=Structura Etno-demografică a României |publisher=Edrc.ro |date=2011-01-18 |access-date=2011-03-28}}</ref> the commune has 3014 people, of which 2968 are Romanians and 46 are Roma people. Also, the population is dramatically aged: 40% are older than 60 years, and children are only 12% of the total population. 99% are [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox]].

==Transportation==
There are a few ''county roads'' that link the commune with [[Pitești]] and the nearby villages:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cjarges.ro/upload/atachments/21906_drumuri%20judetene%20arges.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-02-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002092154/http://www.cjarges.ro/upload/atachments/21906_drumuri%20judetene%20arges.pdf |archive-date=2011-10-02 }}</ref>
#DJ503 links Rociu with [[Oarja]] and the [[A1 motorway (Romania)|A1 Motorway]]. It is asphalted from the motorway to Rociu. The road continues South to [[Giurgiu]], but it is unasphalted.
#DJ659 links Rociu north with [[Suseni, Argeș|Suseni]], [[Bradu]], and Pitești and to the south it continues to [[Negrași]], [[Videle]] and Giurgiu. It is asphalted.
#DJ703b is unasphalted and links Rociu to [[Costești]] in the west and to [[Căteasca]] in the east.

The ''communal roads'' link the villages one to another:
#DC104 links DJ659 (in Gliganu de Jos) with DJ 503 (in Rociu village) and then extends West to [[Căteasca]].<ref>[http://www.romaniacurata.ro/documente/Raport%20CJ%20Arges%202010.pdf Report Arges] romaniacurata.ro</ref>  It is asphalted between Gliganu and Rociu.
#DC106 links the centre of Rociu village with Șerbănești village and DJ659.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://terexconfort.ro/|title=Home|website=Terex Confort|accessdate=6 January 2024}}</ref> It was recently asphalted.

==Economy==
There are no major firms in the area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.listafirme.ro/harta/arges_rociu.htm |title=Harta Rociu Arges - imagini din satelit |publisher=Listafirme.ro |access-date=2011-03-28}}</ref> The main occupation is [[agriculture]]. There are two major agricultural companies, a few mills, a small pig farm, a paper factory and a lot of small markets and pubs that provide the population with daily goods. There is a fair every Tuesday.
Since the economy is based on agriculture, the old irrigation canal might still be used.<ref name="autogenerated1"/> Today, it only brings water to local fishing lakes.

==Institutions==
The [[town hall]] is located in the Rociu village.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghidulprimariilor.ro/business.php/PRIMARIA-ROCIU/9177/ |title=PRIMARIA ROCIU Ghidul Primariilor |publisher=Ghidulprimariilor.ro |access-date=2011-03-28}}</ref> Near the town hall are the post office<ref>{{cite web|author=Pardado Impex srl |url=http://arges.einformatii.ro/content.php?c=eutile_categorie&utile_id_cat=7&utile_id=59387&sortare=&p=10&informations=oficiul+postal+rociu |title=einformatii.ro &#124; OFICIUL POSTAL ROCIU |publisher=Arges.einformatii.ro |access-date=2011-03-28}}</ref> and the Veterinarian and Human services. Not far away is the politic centre, of the Social Democratic Party. There is a school<ref>{{cite web |author=&raquo Scoala Rociu |url=http://www.colegiimei.ro/scoli/Scoala-cu-Clasele-I-VIII-Rociu-4349.html |title=Scoala Rociu |website=www.colegiimei.ro|access-date=2011-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124144918/http://www.colegiimei.ro/scoli/Scoala-cu-Clasele-I-VIII-Rociu-4349.html |archive-date=2016-01-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and a church<ref>{{cite web|author=Searchromania.NET - romania [AT] searchromania . net |url=http://www.searchromania.net/parohii-35/arges/rociu/_1/ |title=Romaniya |publisher=Searchromania.net |access-date=2011-03-28}}</ref> in each village.

==Environmental problems==
Upstream, on the Dîmbovnic [[River]], is an important [[oil refinery]], the [[Arpechim Refinery]]. Since its construction, nearly all the toxic waste was released in the river.<ref>forum.softpedia.com › ... › E-Opinions › Poiana lui Iocan</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://think.hotnews.ro/de-ce-merita-sa-fii.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100402222607/http://think.hotnews.ro/de-ce-merita-sa-fii.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2010-04-02 |title=De ce merita sa fii "verde". Cateva imagini din Romania » Arhiva TOTB.ro |publisher=Think.hotnews.ro |date=2010-03-30 |access-date=2011-03-28 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://apmdb.anpm.ro/pram_capitolul_ii-1256 |title=Agenția pentru Protecția Mediului |publisher=Apmdb.anpm.ro |access-date=2011-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110309015023/http://apmdb.anpm.ro/pram_capitolul_ii-1256 |archive-date=2011-03-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2005, the situation was so bad, that water in the fountains was no longer drinkable, even for animals. The only solution to provide water for the inhabitants and their animals was to use the deep freatic waters{{clarify|date=March 2011}} (about 200 meters deep) and to build an extensive system of water pipes to every house.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120709233004/http://licitatiipublice.clubafaceri.ro/.../alimentare-cu-apa-in-satele-serbanesti-gliganu -de-sus-59167.html]</ref> Today, the river is only occasionally polluted<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newsin.ro/dambovnic-rau-poluare-ecologie.php?cid |title=NewsIn |publisher=Newsin.ro |access-date=2011-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823054840/http://newsin.ro/dambovnic-rau-poluare-ecologie.php?cid |archive-date=2011-08-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and even [[fish]] have reappeared after more than 50 years.

==Tourism==
Rociu is not a tourist destination<ref>{{cite web |author=2Fresh, ARA Software Group |url=http://www.cjarges.ro/obj.asp?id=8337 |title=Home > Județul Argeș > Turism > Centre de informare turistica Arges |publisher=Cjarges.ro |date=2011-01-27 |access-date=2011-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002092718/http://www.cjarges.ro/obj.asp?id=8337 |archive-date=2011-10-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and has no hotels or camp sites. However, not far away, in [[Negrași]] is a protected area, the [[Negrași Daffodil Meadow]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cjarges.ro/negrasi/obj.asp?id=23604 |title=Home > Informatii > Informatii > Poiana cu Narcise Negrași |website= www.cjarges.ro|date=2011-01-27 |access-date=2011-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002092552/http://www.cjarges.ro/negrasi/obj.asp?id=23604 |archive-date=2011-10-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

There is an old church in Șerbănești village, that is considered a touristic objective.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ghidulprimariilor.ro/business.php/PRIMARIA-ROCIU/9177/|title = Primăria Rociu}}</ref>

===Unofficial resort?===
The commune has multiple access routes (see [[#Transportation]]). Being situated more than {{cvt|25|km}} from any big city, Rociu has very clean air.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.calitateaer.ro/link.php |title=Rețeaua Națională de Monitorizare a Calității Aerului |publisher=Calitateaer.ro |access-date=2011-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310040404/http://www.calitateaer.ro/link.php |archive-date=2011-03-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The water is pumped from 150 to 200 meters deep and is of very good quality (see [[#Environmental problems]]). According to the Argeș County police,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.politiaarges.ro/ |title=Home |website=politiaarges.ro}}</ref> violent incidents are very rare and there are no major conflicts. Houses and terrains can be found (to buy or to rent) at very small costs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.anunturiimobiliare.ro/cautare-avansata/-/Arges----/Rociu/ |title=Arges - Cautare anunturi imobiliare |publisher=Anunturiimobiliare.ro |date=2011-03-18 |access-date=2011-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904043005/http://www.anunturiimobiliare.ro/cautare-avansata/-/Arges----/Rociu/ |archive-date=2011-09-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.123imob.ro/anunturi-imobiliare/vanzari-case-vile-rociu.html |title=Argeș - Anunțuri imobiliare |publisher=123imob.ro |date=2011-10-17 |access-date=2011-10-17}}</ref> All these facts create conditions for elderly people to come and settle in Rociu and nearby villages after they retire from work. This population migration partially explains the population dynamics mentioned above, in [[#Demographics]].

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://archive.today/20130416234752/http://www.cjarges.ro/rociu/ Official site]

{{Argeș County}}

[[Category:Communes in Argeș County]]
[[Category:Localities in Muntenia]]