Editing Calafat (section)

==History==
It was founded in the 14th century by [[Genoese colonists]]. These colonists generally employed large numbers of workmen (''Calafatis'') in repairing ships. This industry gave the town its name.

In January 1854, during the [[Crimean War]], when [[Russian Empire|Russian]] forces were headed up the Danube, [[Ahmad Rifaat Pasha|Ahmed Pasha]], commanding the [[Ottoman Empire|Turkish]] forces at Calafat, made [[Battle of Cetate|a surprise attack]] on the temporary Russian garrison nearby [[Cetate, Dolj|Cetate]], which was under the command of Colonel {{ill|Alexander Karlovich Baumgarten|lt=Alexander Baumgarten|ru|Баумгартен, Александр Карлович|de|Alexander von Baumgarten}}.<ref>Jaques, Tony (2007) ''Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: A guide to 8,500 battles from antiquity through the twenty-first century: A-E'' Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut, Volume 1, page 247 {{ISBN|0-313-33536-2}}</ref>  This diverted the initial Russian attack and allowed Ahmed Pasha to consolidate his forces in Calafat.  On 28 January, the Russians under the command of General [[Joseph Carl von Anrep]], reached Calafat and began the [[Siege of Calafat|siege which lasted until May]]. Riddled by disease and unable to take the town, Anrep withdrew.<ref>Jaques, Tony (2007) ''Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: A guide to 8,500 battles from antiquity through the twenty-first century: A-E'' Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut, Volume 1, page 184 {{ISBN|0-313-33536-2}}</ref>

Calafat was declared a [[municipiu]] in 1997.<ref>''Comunele și orasele României'', p. 448. Bucharest: Editura All Beck, 2005</ref>