Ruzia

Ruzia is a small settlement located in the northern part of Romania, within Sălaj County. Administratively it falls under the jurisdiction of the commune of Andreiașu de Jos. The village is situated on the Mureș river plain, surrounded by agricultural fields and mixed deciduous forest. According to the most recent census, the population is approximately 450 residents, who predominantly speak Romanian and many maintain traditional Transylvanian customs.

Historical records first mention Ruzia in the early 16th century, when it was part of the medieval Principality of Transylvania. Over the centuries the village has been influenced by a succession of political entities, including the Habsburg Empire, the Kingdom of Hungary, and, since 1918, Romania. The local church, dedicated to Saint Michael, was built in 1787 and is an example of neoclassical rural architecture. During the communist era, Ruzia experienced collectivization of its farmlands and a brief period of industrial activity centered around a small timber processing facility, which was later closed in the early 1990s.

Today, Ruzia's economy is mainly agricultural, with residents engaged in crop farming – chiefly wheat, corn, and sunflower – and animal husbandry. The village also hosts a small cultural center that organises traditional festivals, folk music performances, and seasonal harvest celebrations. Although not a major tourist destination, Ruzia attracts visitors interested in rural Transylvanian heritage and offers a glimpse of the region’s pastoral life and community spirit.