Editing Bocșa (section)

==History==

Bocșa has a long-standing development dating back to the [[Neolithic]] era. It has seen continuous habitation through the [[Bronze Age]] and [[Iron Age]], and during [[Roman Empire|Roman]] times, it was a site for gold exploitation. First mentioned in a document in 1331, Bocșa has experienced various occupations, including [[Austria-Hungary|Austro-Hungarian]] and [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] rule.<ref name="auto"/> The town has a long tradition of mining, particularly for [[Iron ore|iron]] and [[copper]]. Mining activities date back to the 16th and 17th centuries under [[Ottoman Empire|Turkish rule]], where copper and iron were extracted. During the [[Habsburg Monarchy|Habsburg period]], Austrian miners revitalized the industry, establishing ironworks such as the "Altwerk" in 1719 and "Neuwerk" in 1722. These facilities processed iron ore from local sources, including the nearby [[Semenic|Semenic Mountains]] and [[Lupac]]. The industrial development of Bocșa was further enhanced by the construction of a railway for industrial use in the 19th century and the establishment of a hydroelectric plant in 1896. Over time, the town transitioned to producing agricultural machinery, but mining remained a significant part of its economic history.<ref>{{cite web |title=Geschichte des Bergbaus im Banater Bergland |url=http://www2015.banater-berglanddeutsche.de/home.php?id=a13b2c1de&adm= |website=Banater Berglanddeutsche |access-date=15 August 2024}}</ref> Bocșa also became a cultural and educational hub, with diverse religious institutions due to successive waves of colonization. <ref name="auto"/>