How did Rahova get its name? Let me tell you about this fascinating neighborhood in southwest Bucharest. Rahova is named after Rahovo. It is a Bulgarian town now called Oryahovo. The name commemorates a battle in the Romanian War of Independence.
Rahova sits in Sector 5. It lies west of the Dâmbovița River. The neighborhood stretches quite a distance. It goes from Antiaeriană and Drumul Sării Avenues to Panduri Square in the west. It reaches Panduri and 13 Septembrie Streets in the north. George Cosbuc Avenue, Viilor and Sălaj Streets mark its eastern border. Finally, Bucharest City Limits define its southern edge.
Rahova’s layout is organized around two main streets. These are 13 Septembrie and Rahovei Streets and the streets connecting them. Rahova neighbors Drumul Taberei. It also borders Centrul Civic at Izvor and Ferentari. The neighborhood sits on the Uranus and Viilor hills.
Locals divide Rahova into zones. These zones are based on the numbering of apartment blocks. Rahova has a unique addressing system. Addresses use block numbers instead of street numbers. The zones include Drumul Sării. There is also Petre Ispirescu and Mărgeanului. Other zones are Panduri, 13 Septembrie/Sebastian, Rahova and Alexandriei. Rahova is home to around 180000 people.
The road now called Calea Rahovei has an interesting past. Before, it was known as Podul Calicilor. This translates to Bridge of the Poor. The first mention of this road dates back to 1639. The term “bridge” came from the wooden beams used for paving. Wood was cheaper than stone. Beggars and poor people lived near this road. They resembled those from La Cour des Miracles in Paris. Later, authorities moved them away. The road was renamed Calea Craiovei. This was to remove the association with poverty. The name Rahova came about after the Independence War.
From the 1950s, Rahova faced urban decay. It was the furthest district from the city center until the 1960s. It lacked infrastructure. Rahova Penitentiary, Bucharest’s largest jail, was located here. In the early 1970s, the Barbugiu clan was here. This was the first organized crime gang recognized by authorities. Calea Rahovei was also called The Florists’ Way. It was the location of Bucharest’s flower markets. From 1979, many old buildings were torn down. This made way for apartment blocks.
Since 1997, efforts have been made to renew Rahova. It is undergoing modernization. Rahova is linked to the city center by a light metro line. This upgraded tram line has frequent service. New facades have been built on Calea Rahovei. These renovations use thermal insulation. There have been improvements to the local high school. These include a new swimming pool. The parks, Flower Market and Rahova Market have been overhauled. The Bucharest City Hall and Sector 5 Mayor supported these changes. This has led to the gentrification of Rahova.
Rahova has many public transport options. Tramways and buses serve the area. Line 32 is the main tram line. It runs every minute from Rahovei Market to Unirii Square. Some tram lines are being upgraded to light rail. Traffic jams can be severe here. There are few roads leading downtown. These roads have only two lanes. The chaotic layout adds to the problem.
As part of Sector 5, Rahova is administered locally. The Sector 5 Mayor and Council manage schools and cleaning services. The General Mayor and General Council of Bucharest handle main roads. Sector 5 mayoralty offices are in the Flower Market and Rahova Market. Rahova is taxed at different levels. The taxation depends on the area’s density and development. From wooden bridge to modern neighborhood, Rahova has transformed. Its rich history and ongoing renewal make it a unique part of Bucharest.