Bârlad, town, Vaslui județ (county), eastern Romania. The town served as the residence of the princes of Moldavia in the 14th century, and ruins from that period remain popular tourist attractions. The Royal Church, first erected during the reign of Basil, has been rebuilt and restored numerous times since the 17th century. Bârlad is also the site of the Vasile Pârvan Museum. Named for Romanian archaeologist Vasile Pârvan, it houses an eclectic collection that ranges from Romanian folk art to exhibits on the town’s famous citizens. The economy of the modern town is based on light industry, notably textiles. Pop. (2010 est.) 69,049.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Michael Ray.
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