Arges is one of Romania's 41 counties, covering approximately 6,826 square kilometers of the country's territory. The county is located in the central southern part of Romania, neighboring Sibiu, and Brasov to the north, Dâmbovita to the east, Teleorman to the south, and Olt and Vâlcea to the west.[2] Pitesti is one of the largest cities in the county, serving as Arges' capital. A number of historical and cultural landmarks, as well as other kinds of attractions, can be found within the city's borders.[3] Other towns and places that have been deemed tourist destinations on account of their history and monuments include Curtea de Argeș, Câmpulung, Golești, and Poenari Fortress, to name a few.[8] Geographically, the northern part of Arges is of mountainous character, as it is home to the highest peak in Romania, Moldoveanu Peak, at an altitude of 2,544 meters above sea level. Towards the south, the altitude decreases, and the topography gradually transitions into fields and meadows.[2] In the northeastern part of Arges, there's a Piatra Craiului National Park, which is shared between Arges and Brasov Counties. Reportedly, beyond protecting local plant and animal species, the national park also showcases geological formations dating back to the Jurassic periods.[4]
Pitesti, the capital city of Arges County, has a history dating back to the Paleolithic era. Thus, the city features several historical and cultural landmarks, namely the Art Gallery housed in the historic City Hall—exhibiting archaeological, modern, and contemporary art collections. The Naive Art Gallery and the Argeș County Museum hold a variety of exhibits as well. For visitors interested in nature and the outdoors, the city offers the Trivale Forest Zoo, which has recently undergone modernization. Moreover, in Pitesti, people can visit the birthplaces of historical figures such as Aleksandru Chiricescu and Ion Trivale. Other attractions include the Alexandru Davila Theatre, Musical Fountain celebrating Europe Day, and a local planetarium.[3]
Historical landmarks that draw visitors to Arges can be found across the region. For example, Curtea de Argeș town offers a 16th-century church that holds a legend of the architect's wife being buried within its walls. Câmpulung, once a Roman fortified settlement, features a 13th-century monastery, while Golești town is known for being the location of a 17th-century manor that is associated with the Goleseu family. Namaești includes a 16th-century sandstone church and hermitage, along with the home of poet George Topârceanu. People who prefer to explore local traditions and customs can go to Topoloveni town, which houses a craft cooperative focused on traditional costumes and wood carvings. Furthermore, Arges County bears a connection to the Dracula myths, as the 15th-century Poenari Fortress, built by Vlad III, inspired the novel about Count Dracula. The fortress stands above the Argeș River valley with a relatively steep stairway of about 1,400 steps. For nature lovers, there are ancient limestone quarries—designated as natural monuments—situated near Albești.[8]
In the central northern part of the county is situated Stone Ravens Monastery, holding the distinction of being the oldest cave settlement in Romania—dating back to the 14th century. Moreover, the monastery is also home to the country's oldest paintings. The monastery church is of particular significance due to its interior paintings and strong Byzantine influence. Carved into sandstone rock, the site also features a dining room adjacent to the church, which has been in use since the time of Neagoe Basarab. People visiting the Corbi village and the monastery are encouraged to stop at The Blue Cottage, a 152-year-old structure situated a 5-minute walk from the Stone Raves Monastery. The cottage provides a glimpse into the traditional settlements and customs of the northern part of Arges County.[9]
Arges County, found in central-southern Romania, covers an area of 6,826 square kilometers, making up approximately 2.9% of the country's land. The local landscape is diverse, with medium-altitude hills dominating 55% of the region, while mountains cover 25% and plains approximately 20%. Within Arges' borders is located the highest crest of the Meridional Carpathians, the Moldoveanu Peak, which is also the highest in the country, with an altitude of 2,544 meters above sea level. In the south, terraced hills are traversed by waterways and fertile plains. The region has a hydrographical network that includes the Arges, Olt, and Vedea rivers. Additionally, the area is home to diverse flora and fauna, including a few of the somewhat rare species.[2]
In the northeastern corner of Arges, stretching across the county borders to Brasov County is found Piatra Craiului National Park. The Piatra Craiului mountain range showcases a varied sequence of geological formations within the Romanian Carpathians. An array of sedimentary rocks is showcased in the region, such as limestones, sandstones, argillites, conglomerates, and radiolarites, which were reportedly laid down during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. These previously listed rocks emerged from the ocean floor over an ancient metamorphic base.[4] The Piatra Craiului National Park encompasses a variety of plant life, hosting 1,199 species and subspecies, about 30% of Romania's higher plant species. Notably, 181 of these species are on Romania's "Red List," indicating their rarity. Among such protected species found in the national park is the carnation of Piatra Craiului (Dianthus calzones), a symbol of Piatra Craiului as the national park is supposedly the only place in the world that hosts it.[5] Additionally, Piatra Craiului features diverse wildlife, including Carpathian endemic species. The park's fauna, particularly invertebrates, provides research opportunities, and some people may find the larger mammals to be captivating.[6]
The climate in Arges County is of temperate-continental character.[2] The warmest month in Arges capital, Pitesti, is generally August, with an average daily temperature of 30°C. Reportedly, January is the coldest month, as temperatures average a high of 3°C. February tends to be the driest month in Pitesti because it generally receives 30 millimeters of rainfall on average. The most precipitation falls during June, with an average of about 82 millimeters.[7]
Traces of humans in Arges County's valleys date back to the Lower Paleolithic era. Geto-Dacian artifacts have emerged in the towns of Curtea de Arges and Tigveni. Between 106-271 AD, the region was part of Dacia Felix, during which the establishment of Campulung-Muscel and the rise of voivode Basarab I also took place. In the following centuries, Arges County played a considerable role in Romania's history, contributing to the 19th-century revolution and the Union of Romanian Principalities in 1859, with some of the notable rulers such as Mihai the Brave and Constantin Brancoveanu leaving their legacy.[1] Today, the region's synergy of natural resources and local ingenuity fostered economic growth in agriculture, industry, and processing. In 2000, the county housed 8,159 active businesses, largely privately owned. Industries encompass vehicles, oil, petrochemicals, textiles, wood products, and coal, among others.[2]
The capital city area, Pitesti, has been inhabited since the prehistoric times of the Paleolithic era, with evidence of the Prund culture indicating Lower Paleolithic activity. Archaeological discoveries suggest that the tribe of Dromihaetes originated there in antiquity, associated with Ordessians or Argessens. The Daco-Roman period saw the area as part of Moesia Inferior and later Dacia Malvensis. Pitesti's history includes medieval and modern stages, with the first documented mention dating back to 1388. It gradually evolved from a village and fair to a city by the early 14th century. Some notable figures, such as Basarab Ţepelus the Younger and Vlad the Younger, ruled Pitesti. Over time, churches and rulers' courts developed in the city, eventually becoming a trade center. The city's prominence encompassed education, industries, and religious institutions. It became the Argeș region's seat and, in 1968, the seat municipality of the re-established Argeș County.[3]
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