Diaconovici-Tietz National College

Diaconovici-Tietz National College (Romanian: Colegiul Național "Diaconovici-Tietz") is a public academic high school (grades 9–12) located at 34 Mihai Viteazu Street in Reșița, Caraș-Severin County, Romania. Founded in 1877, it is the oldest continuously operating school in Reșița. Over its history it has undergone numerous name changes and educational profiles reflecting the region's political and social transformations. Known locally by the nickname Bastilia (the Bastille) for its imposing stone architecture, the school today serves as a national college with instruction in both Romanian and German, continuing a longstanding multilingual tradition. It has produced many notable alumni and educators and remains an important cultural and educational institution in the Banat region. History Founding and Austro-Hungarian era (1877–1918) The school was established on 7 October 1877 as a Școală Superioară Comunală (Communal Higher School) in Reșița, which was then part of Austria-Hungary. It was initially a co-educational institution, referred to as the Școala Civilă de Băieți și Fete (Civil School for Boys and Girls). The founding was driven by the local industrial community – the steelworks and mining workers of Reșița – who financed the school to educate their children. According to local history, an elementary school for boys and girls may have operated on the site even before 1877. In 1890, the imperial Ministry of Education approved the reorganization of the communal school into a state-recognized civil school, ensuring greater support and formalizing its curriculum. By 1912 the school offered classes up to the equivalent of 8th grade, with parallel sections for boys and for girls. Interwar period (1919–1945) In the aftermath of World War I, the Banat region was united with the Kingdom of Romania. In 1919 the Reșița school came under the Romanian education system and was reformed as a girls’ secondary institution. Between 1919 and 1928 it operated as the Școala Medie de Stat pentru Fete (State Middle School for Girls). In 1922, the Regional School Inspector Ion Petrovici succeeded in transferring the school's administration fully to the Romanian state, securing increased funding for improvement. The school expanded in scope, and by the late 1920s it had both a girls’ gymnasium and a boys’ lyceum operating, albeit still largely segregated by gender. From 1928 to 1945, the institution was officially a Gimnaziul de Fete (Girls’ Gymnasium), while a boys’ high school functioned in parallel (with its own director, Gheorghe Molisi) within the same premises. During World War II, the school continued to educate students (primarily girls) amid the challenging conditions. In the closing phase of the war and the early post-war transition, the school briefly bore the name Liceul de Fete "Ing. Ada Marinescu" (1945–1948). This name honored Ada Marinescu (the significance of whom is local, possibly a female engineer or community figure of that era). The choice reflected the social changes of the 1940s, as Romania's education system began to modernize and acknowledge women's contributions. Communist era (1948–1989) Following the 1948 communist education reform in Romania, the Reșița girls’ gymnasium was merged and transformed into a co-educational school once again. It was initially titled Liceul Mixt Reșița (Mixed High School, 1948–1959). In the decades of communist rule, the institution went through a series of name and curriculum changes dictated by national education policies. It was the only full high school in Reșița for many years (until the mid-1960s), making it the alma mater of virtually an entire generation of the city's post-war professionals. From 1959 to 1964 it was known as Școala Medie Mixtă Nr. 1 (Mixed Middle School No.1), then again Liceul Mixt Nr.1. In 1964, after a new education law, it became Școala Medie Nr. 1 Reșița, and in 1966 simply Liceul Nr. 1 Reșița. The curriculum at the time was one of general (academic) education. In 1970 the name was modified to Liceul de Cultură Generală Nr. 1 (High School of General Culture No.1). A major shift came in the mid-1970s as the communist government emphasized technical and industrial education. In 1976 the Reșița school was re-profiled as Liceul Real-Umanist Nr. 1 (Real-Humanist High School No.1, combining sciences and humanities), but shortly thereafter, in 1978, it was converted into an industrial-focused school, Liceul Industrial Nr. 5. This change meant a curriculum oriented toward engineering, manufacturing, and vocational training, aligning with Reșița's identity as a heavy industry city. The historic "Bastilia" building was not ideally suited for workshops and technical training, and the school's academic stature suffered during this time. By the late 1980s, there were even threats of closure or relocation, as specialized industrial high schools emerged elsewhere. Nonetheless, the institution persisted in this form until the end of the communist era in 1989. Modern era (1990–present) After the Romanian Revolution of 1989, the school quickly returned to a theoretical (academic) education model. In the 1990–1991 school year it was re-established as a general academic high school, reviving its humanities and science tracks and reintroducing extensive foreign-language instruction (including the German section that had historically been part of the school's identity). It was temporarily designated Liceul Teoretic Nr. 4 (Theoretical High School No.4) in the 1990s. In 1999, in a nod to its dual heritage and to illustrious figures of local culture, the school adopted the name Liceul Teoretic "Diaconovici-Tietz". This hyphenated name honors two related personalities: Cornel Diaconovici (alternatively spelled Diaconovich) – a Banat Romanian scholar who edited the first Romanian encyclopedia (1898–1904) – and Alexander Tietz – a beloved local German-language teacher, ethnographer and writer. (Notably, Cornel Diaconovici was the maternal uncle of Alexander Tietz, symbolizing the union of Romanian and German cultural legacies in the school's identity.) In 2016 the institution was elevated to the rank of Colegiul Național (National College), a status granted to top secondary schools in Romania, hence its current official title. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Diaconovici-Tietz National College has continued to be one of the region's leading high schools. It frequently tops county academic rankings and has active partnerships in European Union educational programs. In October 2022, the school celebrated "145 de ani de școală la Reșița" (145 years of schooling in Reșița) with extensive festivities, alumni reunions, and the unveiling of memorial plaques. The anniversary highlighted the institution's continuity "as a bridge between past and future" and its reputation as "cea mai veche unitate de învățământ din Reșița" – the oldest educational establishment in the city. Timeline of Name Changes Campus and Architecture The school's campus is located on Mihai Viteazu Street, central Reșița, and is centered on a single large historic building. Constructed of stone and masonry with an imposing façade, the building dates to the late 19th or early 20th century and has long been a landmark of the city. Its tall, fortress-like walls earned it the nickname "Bastilia", comparing it humorously to the Bastille prison; locals also call it the "Liceul de piatră" ("Stone High School") for the same reason. Despite the forbidding exterior, students and staff consider the Bastilia nickname a term of endearment – reflecting the school's strong sense of tradition and "the echo of generations" that can be felt inside its walls. Over the years, the building has seen various renovations and adaptations. A major structural expansion or rebuilding likely took place in the interwar period once the school became a state institution (records indicate the edifice was in use by 1935 in essentially its modern form). The current structure is listed as part of Reșița's protected historical heritage zone, and the city has been careful to preserve its architectural integrity. In 2019–2023, the school underwent a comprehensive modernization project funded by European Union regional development funds. With an investment of over 5 million lei (approximately €1.1 million), the project fully refurbished the interior and exterior of the building. Upgrades included new heating, plumbing, and electrical systems, the installation of solar panels and photovoltaic cells on the roof, and restoration of the historic façade to its former glory. "Una dintre cele mai frumoase construcții din Reșița și-a recăpătat strălucirea" noted the local press – "one of Reșița’s most beautiful buildings has regained its shine". The renovation not only preserved the building's classic appearance but also brought it up to modern standards for comfort and energy efficiency, greatly improving conditions for students and staff. The project was highlighted by local authorities as a model of heritage preservation combined with educational investment. The campus also includes a courtyard used for student assemblies and outdoor events, and auxiliary facilities for primary school and kindergarten classes (added as the institution expanded its lower levels). Adjacent to the main building are some newer structures housing a preschool (kindergarten) and primary school wings, since the National College now incorporates these levels as well. The school is equipped with science laboratories, computer labs, and a library. A notable feature is the "Reduit" (bastion) style attic and tower sections, which accentuate the building's fortress-like aesthetic. Inside, hallways are lined with plaques commemorating graduating classes and busts of namesakes Alexander Tietz and Cornel Diaconovici, reflecting the school's museum-like curation of its own history. Academic profile and programs Diaconovici-Tietz National College functions as a comprehensive Romanian state school offering kindergarten, primary (grades 1–4), lower secondary (gymnasium, grades 5–8), and upper secondary (liceu, grades 9–12) education. At the high school level, it is a theoretical liceu with both science (real) and humanities (uman) tracks. The school is distinguished by its bilingual Romanian-German curriculum. There are parallel classes taught in Romanian and in German, serving both the ethnic Romanian majority and the German minority of Banat, as well as any students who wish to study in a German-language environment. This multilingual character continues traditions dating back to the Austro-Hungarian era, when instruction was offered in multiple languages. The college has been described as a symbol of multilingual education in the county. Students in the German section study most subjects in German and take Romanian language as well, essentially receiving a dual-language education. The school prepares students for the Deutsches Sprachdiplom (DSD) exams of the German government; in recent years its students have achieved excellent results on DSD language certifications, outperforming international averages. Graduates of the German program often go on to attend universities in Germany or Austria. The Romanian-section students likewise excel in national exams – the college consistently has a high passing rate at the Baccalaureate (high school leaving exam) in Caraș-Severin County. In addition to the core curriculum mandated by the Ministry of Education, Colegiul "Diaconovici-Tietz" offers a range of elective courses and extracurricular programs. It participates in numerous EU-funded projects such as Erasmus+ partnerships with schools in Austria, Germany, Italy, Poland and others. These projects focus on cultural exchange, STEM education, and heritage preservation. For instance, students have taken part in initiatives like "Detectivii urbani" (Urban Detectives) learning about local historical monuments, and robotics competitions (the school's robotics team reached an international MIT NASA contest semi-final)cndt.ro. The college's role as an educational hub is also evident in community activities. It regularly hosts county-level academic contests and Olympiads, cultural events during the annual Decade of German Culture in Banatul Mountain festival, and public lectures or book launches (often featuring its notable alumni). The ethos of the school, as stated in its mission, is to guide youth "regardless of ethnicity or creed" with a solid education that enables them to succeed in lifecndt.ro. This inclusive philosophy is lived out through its mixed Romanian-German student body and a faculty that includes ethnic Romanian, German, and Hungarian teachers. Notable alumni and faculty Over nearly a century and a half, the "Diaconovici-Tietz" school has educated a great number of individuals who went on to prominence in various fields. Before 1964 it was the only academic high school in Reșița, meaning many local leaders and intellectuals of the 20th century passed through its halls. Among its notable alumni are: Ciprian Foiaș – mathematician of international renown, known for the Foiaș–Frazho theorem and as a co-creator of the theory of operator model (winner of the Norbert Wiener Prize); he graduated from Reșița's lycée in the 1950s. Mircea Martin – literary critic and theorist, a leading figure in Romanian literary studies, who finished high school here before pursuing an academic career in Bucharest. Sabin Păutza – composer and conductor, former director of the New York City Symphony, celebrated for his musical compositions; Păutza is an alumnus who has maintained ties with the school's music activities. Dan Farcaș – computer scientist and mathematician, member of the Romanian Academy, who contributed to the development of computer science in Romania; Farcaș returned to the school for its 140th anniversary as an honored guest. Notable former faculty and staff include: Alexander Tietz (1898–1978) – a teacher of languages and geography at the school for over four decades (1920s–1960s), and a prolific ethnographer and author of Banat German folklorebanatulmontan.wordpress.com. Tietz is revered in Reșița's cultural memory; he instilled in students a love for local heritage and nature, and published several collections of local legends. In recognition of his impact, the school now bears his name and a dedicated German library in the city is also named after him. Cornel Diaconovici (Diaconovich) (1859–1923) – though not a teacher at the school, he is a posthumous patron through the "Diaconovici" portion of its name. An erudite scholar from the Banat, Diaconovici edited the Enciclopedia Română, the first modern encyclopedia in Romanian, and in the 1880s he published the Romänische Revue in Reșița to promote Romanian culture locally. His inclusion in the school's name (added in 1999) honors the Romanian intellectual contribution to the institution's legacy alongside Tietz's Germanic legacy. Boris Vatzulik – a longtime teacher and former principal in the 2010s, credited with modernizing the school's pedagogical approach and securing its National College status. Vatzulik has also been active in preserving the "Bastilia" heritage and engaging alumni support. These individuals represent just a few of the notable people associated with Diaconovici-Tietz National College. The school's alumni include numerous other professors, engineers, doctors, and artists who have settled around the world. Many alumni remain connected through reunions and contribute to mentor current students. Cultural and community significance Beyond its educational role, Diaconovici-Tietz National College occupies a special place in Reșița's cultural landscape. The school has been described as "o bornă între trecut și viitor" – a milestone between the past and the future. Generations of families have passed through its doors, and it is often affectionately referred to simply as "Bastilia" by locals, such that the name of the school has become synonymous with academic tradition in Reșița. Its alumni association and current students alike participate in community service and civic initiatives. For example, in 2020 students organized citywide clean-up campaigns as "lessons in civics" for the publicresita.ro. The school's choir and theater groups perform at city events, and its "Vocea Bastiliei" vocal ensemble has won regional awards. Importantly, the school is a pillar for the German minority in the Banat highlands. It is the only school in the Banatul Mountain region that offers education in German at all levels, from kindergarten through high school. This makes it a guardian of the German language and culture locally. Events like the Decade of German Culture in Banat often feature contributions from the Diaconovici-Tietz College – for instance, the German Ambassador to Romania visited the school during its 137th anniversary celebration in 2014. The synergy between Romanian and German traditions at the school exemplifies the multicultural character of the Banat. The school's very motto emphasizes this mission: "Existăm pentru că fiecare om are nevoie să se afirme în viaţă prin propria sa limbă şi cultură" – "We exist because every person needs to express themselves in life through their own language and culture"cndt.ro. In 2017, the City Hall recognized the college's contribution by supporting the 140-year jubilee events and pledging ongoing support for its development. The mayor of Reșița noted that reaching 140 years "îndeamnă la respect" (commands respect) and lauded the generations of teachers and students linked to "Bastilia". During the 145th anniversary in 2022, a special almanac was published documenting the school's history, and alumni from around the world sent messages or came home to Reșița to celebrate. The phrase "Legendele Bastiliei" ("Legends of Bastilia") was used in a workshop to share stories of the school's past with current students, illustrating how its history is kept alive as an inspiration for new generations. Origins of "Ioan Crișan" Zoo The "Ioan Crișan" Zoo (Romanian: The Grădina Zoologică "Ioan Crișan") in Reșița traces its origins to the 1960s, stemming from an educational initiative led by Ioan Crișan, a biology teacher and later director of Colegiul Național "Diaconovici-Tietz". Driven by a passion for natural sciences and a commitment to experiential learning, Crișan established a mini-zoo within the school's courtyard. The initial collection featured various animals, with a bear becoming a notable attraction for students and the local community. As the collection expanded, the limitations of the school premises became apparent. Recognizing the educational and cultural value of the initiative, local authorities facilitated the relocation of the animals to a larger area in the city's park. This move laid the foundation for the establishment of Reșița's official zoo. In 1965, the zoo was officially inaugurated, occupying a 5.6-hectare area in the northern part of Reșița. The zoo was later named in honor of its founder, Ioan Crișan, acknowledging his contributions to education and his role in promoting environmental awareness in the region. Notes External links (in Romanian) Official website