What Gorj is known for

Târgu Jiu, the capital city of Gorj County, sits along the Jiu River with a heritage tracing back to 1400. Named after the Jiu River, it boasts a unique topography formed by the river's course, featuring three terraces. Târgu Jiu became the provincial capital of Gorj in the 17th century, hosting rulers such as Mihai Viteazul, Matei Basarab, and Constantin Brâncoveanu. Today, the city features a historical tourist attraction—the monumental ensemble dedicated to World War I heroes. This ensemble comprises three elements crafted by Constantin Brâncuşi: the Table of Silence, the Gate of the Kiss, and the Infinite Column. The Table of Silence, made of limestone, symbolizes a table before a confrontation. Surrounding it are 12 chairs shaped like hourglasses. The Gate of the Kiss, constructed from travertine, takes the form of a triumphal arch, reportedly representing the triumph of life over death. The Infinite Column, a 29-meter monument made of 15 octahedral modules, symbolizes an ascent to heaven and pays tribute to World War I Romanian soldiers. Additionally, the Constantin Brâncuși Memorial House, originally built in 1870, was transformed into a memorial house in 1970. It now houses a collection of albums, letters, photographs, and documents showcasing the life and work of Constantin Brâncuși, a modern sculptor.[7]

Another historical attraction apart from the capital city is the Tismana Monastery, a fortified religious site on Starmina Mountain, enveloped by forests and rugged cliffs. Initially, the monastery's church was designed with a single ochre color and featured depictions of figures and flowers. The first icon crafted there was by the painter Dobromir from Targoviste in 1564, marking the earliest Byzantine-style painting in Wallachia. Inside the monastery's museum, visitors can explore a collection of mural paintings, wooden icons, various religious artifacts, antique garments, and intricately designed doors created in 1782. The church houses relics, including Saint Nicodim's forefinger and his lead cross, a portion of Saint Ignatie's body, and a fragment of Saint Ioan Gura de Aur's body. The oak wood iconostasis, crafted in 1766 and gilded in 1844, also stands as part of the heritage.[8]

For nature enthusiasts, Gorj County offers Muierilor Cave. Situated in the Baia de Fier commune is a cave formed in Mesozoic limestone on the southern edge of the Parâng Massif, carved by the Galbenul River. Its name originates from a historical context, as it once provided shelter to women and children during wartime when men were away fighting. The cave boasts several attractions, including the Small Dome with its Gothic-like calcite formations, the Hall of the Altar, the Wave of the Altar, the Pulpit, the Great Candelabrum, and the image of the Bloody Rock due to iron oxide deposits. However, the draw to the Muierilor Cave is presumably due to the fact that it is a repository of skeletal remains of bears, lions, hyenas, foxes, wolves, wild goats, and wild boars, which are found in the Bear Gallery. In the Musterian Hall, artifacts from ancient cultures pre-dating the current era have been discovered. Notably, skull fragments of a female individual, approximately 30,000 years old, were recently dated by researchers. Muierilor Cave also houses completely petrified cave bears.[9]

Geography

Gorj County's geography is fairly diverse, comprising three main regions: the Southern Carpathians with the Godeanu, Vâlcan, and Parâng Mountains; the Getic Sub-Carpathians situated between the Motru and Oltet rivers; and the southern hills bordering the Getic Plateau. The county's elevations range from 2,518 meters in the Parângu Mare Massif to 100 meters in the Jiu Valley to the south. Gorj County is traversed by the Jiu and Gilort rivers and their tributaries, including the Oltet and Cerna rivers. Additionally, the region features several glacial lakes, namely Gâlcescu, Tauri, Slaveiul, Mija, Pasarea, and Godeanu. Gorj's subsoil contains deposits of lignite, anthracite, graphite, natural gas, oil, and various construction materials. Moreover, Gorj is notable for its mineral water springs, some of which possess therapeutic properties in locations such as Ticleni, Sacelu, Govora, and Balanesti. These subsoil and soil resources are complemented by beech forests, coniferous forests, oak groves, and various tree species, alongside mountain and hill pastures.[2]

In the northern part of Gorj County is located the Defileul Jiului National Park, consisting of forested landscapes complemented by meadows. These forests, some of which are virgin or semi-virgin, primarily consist of beech and oak trees, along with Mediterranean and Dacian species. Research conducted in 2004 documented 701 flora species of both endemic and rare types. These encompass a variety of plants, mosses, and lichens, contributing to the park's biodiversity.[4] Apart from floral species, the park also houses various fauna, including vipers and several carnivores, such as the Carpathian bear, wolf, lynx, otter, marten, badger, and wild cat. Furthermore, the following herbivores inhabit the area: roe deer, Carpathian deer, and black goats. The Jiului Gorge also represents a vital migration route for birds, more specifically the peregrine falcon, common buzzard, mountain eagle, red jay, water blackbird, and pigeon harrier. As for reptiles, one may find Aesculapius' snake, hazel snake, house snake, and water snake. Aquatic habitats support newt species and tailless frogs.[5]

The climate in Gorj County is of temperate-continental character.[2] The warmest month in Târgu Jiu tends to be August, with an average daily high temperature of 28°C. January is most commonly the coldest month, as temperatures average approximately 4°C. August tends to be the driest month in Târgu Jiu because it generally receives 60 millimeters of rainfall on average. The most precipitation falls during June, averaging about 89 millimeters.[6]

History

Historical records reveal that the local caves in Gorj County provided shelter for early cultures from the Middle Paleolithic period, as evidenced by archaeological findings of their bones in Baia de Fier and Broșteni. Other archaeological investigations conducted by specialized institutions, including the Gorj "Alexandru Ștefulescu" County Museum, have also unveiled historical places. Such sites are the Roman fortification complex at Bumbești-Jiu, earthen forts at Cătunele, and Pinoasa-Vârt, as well as Roman civil settlements in Săcelu, Ciocadia, Târgu Jiu, and Slobozia-Bârsești. The earliest known administrative-territorial unit in the current county territory was Jaleș County. Tismana and Dabaceni were recorded during that period, with the latter serving as Gorj's former administrative center.[1]

The land comprising Gorj County was historically part of the Northern Oltenia province, which functioned as an independent administrative region for an extended period. From the 10th century to the 13th century, the area was a distinct political entity under the leadership of Litovoi. The region, known as Jales, has been documented since 1385, initially ruled by Dan I and later under the leadership of Mircea the Old starting in 1387. The designation "Gorj County" was adopted after the late 15th century. Târgu Jiu, the principal urban center within the county, received its official recognition in 1429.[2] Later, in 1821, the movement for national rebirth and the end of the old feudal regime began in the Gorj area. About thirty years later, Gorje military forces participated in the War of Independence, with the III Gorj squadron's contribution in the battles of Vidin. This sacrifice led to more than 241 casualties. Since 1998, Gorj County has been part of Development Region 4 South-West Oltenia.[1]

In today's time, Gorj County produces wood products, textiles, and foodstuffs, with Birseşti specializing in building materials. The region also features anthracite coal mines in Schela, oil wells in Ţicleni and Bâlteni, lignite mines in Tismana and Rovinari, and graphite mining in Baia de Fier. Agriculture includes viticulture in hilly areas, cereal cultivation, and livestock raising in the lowlands.[3]