Marisia - Maros Megyei Múzeum Évkönyve 31-32/1. (2015)

Cultură matirială

loan Eugen Man

THE TOWN OF TÁRGU-MURES AND ITS FAIRS UP TO THE YEARS BETWEEN THE TWO WARS

Summary

In the first half of the 19th century, the old name itself of this place, i.e. Novum Forum Siculorum, hinted at the type of the place, namely a borough. Here, in the area of the present Márton Áron street there used to be a market where cattle used to be brought together for the Hungarian Kings, on various occasions.

For centuries the town of Targu-Mures enjoyed many privilege granted by the kings of Hungarary and the princes of Transylvania, such as Matei Corvinul, loan Zapolyai, queen Isabella, Sigismund Báthori, Gábriel Bethlen, a.s.o. Thus, apart from the three annual fairs allowed by Matei Corvinul in 1582, quen Maria Tereza allowed the fourth one in 1749 and then in 1845 Ferdinand IV allowed a fifth fair.

The main markets of the town were in the area of Bolyai Street, the oldest one, somewhere on the top of the street, the others in Petőfi Sqwuare and in the Roses’ Square, where the most important fair used to be held. In the 20th century there still were fairs organised in the Squares Victoriei, Republicii and Märäsesti.

It should be noticed the importance of these fairs in Tärgu-Mures, as attraction for potential buyers who used to come from long distances even from 45-50 km.

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