Arad, city, capital of Arad judeƫ (county), western Romania. It is located in the lower Mureş River valley close to the Hungarian border, about 30 miles (50 km) north-northeast of Timişoara. The city has a large Magyar (Hungarian) population.
The site became a Roman outpost south of the river at Aradu Nou (“New Arad”). The first documented mention of Arad dates from 1131. Arad was in Turkish hands, with brief interruptions, from about 1550 until 1700, when it came under the control of Austria. During the Hungarian rebellion of 1848–49, it was captured by the Hungarians (July 1, 1849) and was made their headquarters. After the rebellion was put down, with the assistance of Russia, 13 Hungarian generals, “the martyrs of Arad,” were executed there on Oct. 6, 1849. Arad became part of Romania after World War I and was named a county capital in 1919.
Arad is a railway junction and commercial and industrial centre. Its manufactures include machine tools, railway cars, and textiles. Milling, distilling, and woodworking are also important. The city has a theatre, an orchestra, and a cultural centre with a library and museum. Pop. (2007 est.) 167,238.