History of the „George Bariţiu” Institute of History
Founded on February 2, 1920, under the name Institute of National History, and initially placed under the auspices of the University of Cluj, it is the oldest institute in Romania dedicated to the research of history and related disciplines.
The interwar name of the new institution was the Institute of National History in Cluj. Between 1920 and 1940, the institute operated in Cluj; between 1940 and 1945, in Sibiu; and again in Cluj from 1945 to the present day. During its first 25 years of existence, which we refer to as the historical period, the Institute of National History, through its highly valued scientific staff, published numerous books, volumes of documents, and studies on the history of Transylvania from the Middle Ages to the present day.
During these pioneering stages, the scientific staff of the Institute of National History collaborated extensively with the history departments of the University, and Alma Mater professors published and supported the institute’s journals and collections, which, moreover, corroborated the efforts and notable results of scientific work with those of equally prestigious creations obtained by the Institute of Universal History and the Institute of Classical Studies.
On May 1, 1949, the institute was renamed “Institutul de Istorie şi Arheologie din Cluj al Academiei Române” (The Cluj Institute of History and Archaeology of the Romanian Academy). On this occasion, some specialists in universal history, Eastern European history, and classical studies from the Centre for Studies and Research on Transylvania, which had been established in Sibiu in 1943, were included in its composition. Despite some embarrassing political interference, the institute managed to continue, in its essential outlines, the interwar tradition and to publish numerous books, studies, volumes of documents, ancient inscriptions, bibliographies on various issues and topics, from ancient and medieval history to contemporary history. During this new period of its existence, the institute benefited from the prestige of directors from among Romanian academics, such as Constantin Daicoviciu and Ştefan Pascu. This tradition, whose precursors were the renowned interwar directors Ioan Lupaş and Alexandru Lapedatu, is continued today by successive directors: Aurel Răduțiu, Camil Mureșanu, Nicolae Edroiu, and Ioan Bolovan.
Starting in 1975, the Institute became part of the “Babeş-Bolyai” University in Cluj-Napoca until January 1990, when, following a decision taken by the General Assembly, it returned to the Romanian Academy, with Aurel Răduţiu as its director.
In the same year, the Institute of History and Archaeology was divided into two units, namely the Institute of History in Cluj-Napoca and the Institute of Archaeology and Art History. This was followed by Government Decision No. 1366/27.XII. 2001, whereby the Institute of History in Cluj-Napoca merged with the Centre for Social and Human Sciences under the name of the “George Bariţiu” Institute of History of the Romanian Academy, a public institution with legal personality (based at 11 Napoca Street). Since then, two distinct departments have been established within our institution: one for history and the other for social sciences and humanities, with a unified administration and management.
Since 2010, the Institute’s new headquarters have been located at 12-14 Mihail Kogălniceanu Street in Cluj-Napoca.
Since 1996, the Institute has been authorised to organise doctoral activities. Currently, there are six researchers/professors who, as doctoral supervisors, have coordinated the training programs of over 130 doctoral students. To date, 107 doctoral degrees have been awarded. The remaining doctoral students are at various stages of preparation and writing their doctoral theses.
The interwar name of the new institution was the Institute of National History in Cluj. Between 1920 and 1940, the institute operated in Cluj; between 1940 and 1945, in Sibiu; and again in Cluj from 1945 to the present day. During its first 25 years of existence, which we refer to as the historical period, the Institute of National History, through its highly valued scientific staff, published numerous books, volumes of documents, and studies on the history of Transylvania from the Middle Ages to the present day.
During these pioneering stages, the scientific staff of the Institute of National History collaborated extensively with the history departments of the University, and Alma Mater professors published and supported the institute’s journals and collections, which, moreover, corroborated the efforts and notable results of scientific work with those of equally prestigious creations obtained by the Institute of Universal History and the Institute of Classical Studies.
On May 1, 1949, the institute was renamed “Institutul de Istorie şi Arheologie din Cluj al Academiei Române” (The Cluj Institute of History and Archaeology of the Romanian Academy). On this occasion, some specialists in universal history, Eastern European history, and classical studies from the Centre for Studies and Research on Transylvania, which had been established in Sibiu in 1943, were included in its composition. Despite some embarrassing political interference, the institute managed to continue, in its essential outlines, the interwar tradition and to publish numerous books, studies, volumes of documents, ancient inscriptions, bibliographies on various issues and topics, from ancient and medieval history to contemporary history. During this new period of its existence, the institute benefited from the prestige of directors from among Romanian academics, such as Constantin Daicoviciu and Ştefan Pascu. This tradition, whose precursors were the renowned interwar directors Ioan Lupaş and Alexandru Lapedatu, is continued today by successive directors: Aurel Răduțiu, Camil Mureșanu, Nicolae Edroiu, and Ioan Bolovan.
Starting in 1975, the Institute became part of the “Babeş-Bolyai” University in Cluj-Napoca until January 1990, when, following a decision taken by the General Assembly, it returned to the Romanian Academy, with Aurel Răduţiu as its director.
In the same year, the Institute of History and Archaeology was divided into two units, namely the Institute of History in Cluj-Napoca and the Institute of Archaeology and Art History. This was followed by Government Decision No. 1366/27.XII. 2001, whereby the Institute of History in Cluj-Napoca merged with the Centre for Social and Human Sciences under the name of the “George Bariţiu” Institute of History of the Romanian Academy, a public institution with legal personality (based at 11 Napoca Street). Since then, two distinct departments have been established within our institution: one for history and the other for social sciences and humanities, with a unified administration and management.
Since 2010, the Institute’s new headquarters have been located at 12-14 Mihail Kogălniceanu Street in Cluj-Napoca.
Since 1996, the Institute has been authorised to organise doctoral activities. Currently, there are six researchers/professors who, as doctoral supervisors, have coordinated the training programs of over 130 doctoral students. To date, 107 doctoral degrees have been awarded. The remaining doctoral students are at various stages of preparation and writing their doctoral theses.
