Bârlad, an ancient cradle of Romanian culture, is said to date back to the 12th century according to historical sources, although it flourished especially after the decline of the Golden Horde, becoming an important commercial and customs center on the Bârlad River valley. Under the rule of voivodes such as Alexandru cel Bun, Ștefan cel Mare, and Petru Rareș, the city prospered, becoming the customs center and the residence of the Marea Vorniciei of the Lower Country of Moldavia. The interwar period brought about a qualitative leap in terms of economic, socio-political, and cultural-edilitarian aspects, with the development of education, press, and cultural and scientific societies. Under the communist regime, Bârlad underwent significant transformations, with industrial and infrastructural development, but also with a series of deficiencies generated by the totalitarian regime. After the revolution of 1989, new opportunities emerged for the development of the city, with the establishment of cultural foundations and associations that revived cultural and social life.
The cultural heritage of Bârlad is impressive, with remarkable contributions in fields such as science, literature, music, fine arts, and sports. It is a city that has given Romania political leaders, cultural and intellectual figures of the highest rank, and continues to mark its presence in the country’s cultural and historical landscape.
Illustrious figures such as Ieremia Movilă, Vasile Lupu, and Gheorghe Ghica, as well as important scholars such as Grigore Ureche and Miron Costin, have tied their names to Bârlad. Foreign travelers, such as Bishop Bandini, Deacon Paul of Aleppo, and Evliya Çelebi, have left records about the medieval life and appearance of the city. In modern times, Bârlad has given Romania notable political figures such as Alexandru Ioan Cuza and Manolache Costache Epureanu, and has developed an intellectual elite that contributed to the establishment of educational and cultural institutions, healthcare units, and military and political structures.