Barcău
river
The Barcău or Bereteu (Romanian or Berettyó in Hungarian) is a river which has its origin in Sălaj County, Romania. It is about 167 kilometres (104 mi) long with a watershed area of 5,812 km2 (2,244 sq mi). After crossing Bihor County in Romania and Hajdú-Bihar and Békés County in Hungary, it flows into the Sebes-Körös (Romanian: Crișul Repede) near Szeghalom. Its length in Romania is 134 km (83 mi).
The upper reach of the Barcău, upstream of the junction with the Răchita is locally called the Ștei, Berchesei or Bărcașu. The reach between the junctions with the Răchita and the Toplița is locally known as the Tusa. The name Barcău is only used following its confluence with the Toplița.
Towns and villages
The following towns and villages are situated along the river Barcău, from source to mouth: in Romania: Valcău de Jos, Boghiș, Nușfalău, Ip, Suplacu de Barcău, Balc, Abram, Marghita, Abrămuț, Chișlaz, Sălard, Tămășeu, in Hungary Kismarja, Pocsaj, Gáborján, Berettyóújfalu, Szeghalom.
The public source identifies “Barcău” as river. This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around Barcău and river.
Why this record matters
A short description can identify a subject without explaining its stakes. For “Barcău”, the useful work is to connect “river” to the records capable of establishing context and consequence.
The strongest evidence will usually combine a dated visual record with documents produced by the authority responsible for the place. The source revision retrieved here is dated Sep 12, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q169766. Authority coordinates are 46.983, 21.124. 1 of 2 selected statements include explicit references; 2 carry qualifiers and 0 use preferred rank.
Modern boundaries and familiar names can conceal earlier jurisdictions or structures that do not align with the present site. The lead is largely declarative, so disagreement and counter-evidence require a deliberate search beyond the opening account. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Treat names, boundaries and functions as historically changeable. Maps, plans, inventories and administrative records can clarify what the place meant at different dates.
- Historic place names
- Jurisdictional context
- Routes into maps and plans
Contemporary maps, plans, listed-building records, estate papers and the responsible local or national archive.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “Barcău”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow Barcău primary sources, Barcău archive and Barcău research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “Barcău”?
- Which earlier names or jurisdictions may reveal additional records?
- What physical evidence or contemporary plan supports the description?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “Barcău” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.