Rășinari

Rășinari
Commune
The "New Church" in Rășinari
Location of Rășinari
Country	Romania
Status	Commune
Government
• Mayor	Ioan Bucur Băra (Democratic Party)
Area
• Total	127.87 km2 (49.37 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• Total	5,280
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
• Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Climate	Dfb
Website	http://www.cjsibiu.ro/ro/rasinari.php

Coordinates: 45°42′N 24°04′E / 45.700°N 24.067°E / 45.700; 24.067

Rășinari (German: Städterdorf; Hungarian: Resinár) is a commune in Sibiu County, Transylvania, Romania. It has a population of 5,280 inhabitants (2011 census) and is composed of two villages, Prislop (Priszloptelep) and Rășinari.

Until 2012, Rășinari was connected to Sibiu by a roughly 8-km tram line through the Dumbrava Forest, but regular service ended in 2011 and since 2013 much of the line has since been dismantled.

In the second half of the 18th century, the Rășinari Orthodox bishops' residence was built - the first one of its kind in Transylvania. Today the pastoral traditions of the village are incorporated in the new modern rhythm of life.

From 1947, Rășinari was linked to Sibiu by an electric tram line which crossed Dumbrava Forest, but service became sporadic in the late 2000s and ceased entirely on 28 February 2011. Very limited operation that took place later – mainly only for visiting tourist groups – ended in 2012, followed in 2013 by the start of work to dismantle the line. It is hoped to reopen a portion as a heritage tramway. The trams in use since the mid-1990s were formerly used in Geneva and retained their French-language signs. In 2013, they were sold to Rășinari for a low price and moved to the Rășinari end of the tram line, just before work to remove the tracks and overhead trolley wires began. Officials in Răşinari are attempting to obtain funding to build a small depot (carhouse) and to reopen a portion of the line as a tourist attraction.