Brief History
For the visitor who chooses this place for rest, cure or entertainment, a short history of these regions could be very attractive.
The river Somes, an important communication way since ancient times, crosses Ileanda. It has attracted the formation of human settlements.
The first attempts of settlements were small, populated by Dacians and later by Romans (the proof is a Roman road that existed on Ileanda Commune’s territory, recently discovered by archeologist). By the 4th century, they turned into Romanian settlements and were crossed by migratory populations. The biggest influence have had the slave element that can be proved by different words and denominations of slave origin, as for instance: Ileanda (hill slope), Birsauta (birsa = plough furrow), Dabiceni (dluboku = depth), Rastoci (rastoaca = mill’s pond). Later, the denominations have been hungarized, some of them by the 18th century, others by the 19th century and the beginning of 20th century.
Because of the floods, fires and Tartar and Turk invasions, the settlements have withdrawn to narrow valleys, between the hills where they were more sheltered. They have been documentary certified since the 14th century as estates belonging to different fortresses that have developed at the crossroads they were meant to guard. The chieftains of these fortresses whom these estates have been donated were supported in battles by big Hungarian feudal lords.
Thus, the villages on the Somes left bank have belonged to the Ciceu fortress since 14th century when they were given over to the Chioar fortress (Cetatea de Piatra). Here used to work a so-called “chieftanship” which was protecting the main access roads to the Transsylvanian interior, having in its ownership 88 villages. The villages on the Somes left side used to belong to the Almas fortress.
Fact is that the Hungarian masters often changed, either by leaving the estates to inheritors or by gambling them. The disloyalty shown against the masters had as a consequence the estates taking away and giving over to other proprietors.
The following conclusions can be taken: the Hungarian lords and their bailiffs were masters of estates, but the mass of the population were Romanians who were working the lands as serfs, slaves and “vags” (a type of peasants that used to move from a place to another in order to earn those necessary to their living).
Their lasting serf condition, the lack in rights, as well as the work and the depts. They were subject to by the feudal lords, the numerous Tartar and Turks invasions that led to the devastation of their villages contributed to the slow evolution of the population’s number by the 18th century.
The political and economical transformations that took place under this period had consequences also in the society’s structure. The princes, in order to build up a more stable social and military basis, ennobled a large number of Romanian peasants, the so-called “puscasi” –serfs with military obligations from around the Chioar Fortress, who have distinguished themselves in different military acts. The ennoblement is carried on especially in the 18th century. Some of these small nobles, known as “nemesi” came with the passing of time to own estates and rise beside the older Hungarian feudal lords.
After the serfdom’s abolition, the population started to grow, the new settlements became bigger, and first schools appeared. In the beginning they were confessionals, then turned into state schools. By the end of 19th century, Ileanda developed as a more important center and since 1865 it has became an administrative, judicial and notary center.
The discovery of Bizusa springs and the development of a small watering and climatic resort are of great importance. They attract more and more people during the summer. Also an important role was played by the construction of a railroad, a motorway, the organizing of weekly markets, the construction of a health unit, etc.
Today, Ileanda is one Salaj County’s polarizing centers for the Somes basin’s zone, upstream of Surduc Commune.
In respect of the population’s growth in the 20th century, a certain fluctuation could be noticed – a growth until the WW 2, then a decrease due to the irreversible departure of the Jews, and then again an increase around year 1956 due to the opening of building-sites. This was followed by a new decrease due to the development of town’s industry and the departure for good of several families and youngsters. A weak increase is recorded in Ileanda during the last years.