Bănești, Prahova

Bănești is a commune in Prahova County, Muntenia, Romania. It is composed of two villages, Bănești and Urleta.

Bănești
Commune
Archangels' wooden church in Urleta
Coat of arms
Location in Prahova County
Bănești Location in Romania
Coordinates: 45°6′N 25°46′E
Country	Romania
County	Prahova
Government
• Mayor (2020–2024)	Gheorghe Stoica (PNL)
Area	21.56 km2 (8.32 sq mi)
Elevation	395 m (1,296 ft)
Population  (2021-12-01)[1]	5,426
• Density	250/km2 (650/sq mi)
Time zone	EET/EEST (UTC+2/+3)
Postal code	107050
Area code	+(40) 244
Vehicle reg.	PH
Website	primariabanesti.ro

The commune is situated at the northern edge of the Wallachian Plain, at an altitude of 395 m (1,296 ft), in the foothills of the Southern Carpathians. It lies on the banks of the Prahova River and its left tributary, the Doftana River. It is located in the western part of Prahova County, just south of the city of Câmpina and 28 km (17 mi) northwest of the county seat, Ploiești. Bănești is crossed by national road DN1, which links Bucharest, 88 km (55 mi) to the south, with the northwestern part of the country.

On September 13, 1913, Aurel Vlaicu died on the outskirts of Bănești, crashing his A Vlaicu II plane while attempting to be the first to fly across the Carpathian Mountains.

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1992	5,916	—
2002	5,733	−3.1%
2011	5,240	−8.6%
2021	5,426	+3.5%
Source: Census data

Natives

• Constantin Marin (1925–2011), conductor, composer, founder of the Madrigal Chamber Choir [ro]

Gallery

• 
  Holy Archangels parish church in Urleta