What Giurgiu is known for

The capital city of Giurgiu County is also called Giurgiu. It is located on the Danube's shores, at the state border with Bulgaria, and about 40 miles south of Bucharest. The Friendship Bridge—a dual-level bridge for highway and railway traffic across the Danube to Ruse, Bulgaria—was completed in 1954. Giurgiu has grown into a river port and features various industries, including a sugar refinery, a cannery, and a rug and carpet factory. Its population was estimated at around 68,923 people in 2007.[6]

One of the outdoor nature attractions in Giurgiu County is Comana Natural Reserve, which encompasses an adventure park with various trails suitable for all ages and levels. People who gravitate more toward the historical aspect of the location can learn more about the history of Comana aboard the Orient Express Train, which once linked Paris to Constantinople, passing through Comana. Comana's Neajlov Delta, covering 1,100 hectares, ranks second in Romania in biodiversity. It's home to a relatively wide array of protected flora and fauna, including water lilies, egrets, and black storks. Visitors can explore the local nature by canoe, boat, or specialized shallow-water vessels. Comana also offers opportunities for walks, showcasing the herbs and spices garden. Furthermore, forests can be explored by cycling, as bike rentals are also available in the area.[7] However, Comana Natural Reserve offers more than natural recreation, as within the parks' borders is located the Comana Monastery, established in 1588. Within its premises lies the resting places of historical figures, including Radu Serban, Nicolae Patrascu (son of Michael the Brave), and members of the Cantacuzino Family. While some parts of the original church constructed by Tepes have been preserved, restoration work has been carried out over the years, resulting in only a few remnants of the original structure remaining today.[4]

Another touristic destination in Giurgiu County is the Lavender Orchard, which opened its doors to the public in 2020. Visitors can enjoy a unique glamping experience in themed tents, accommodating up to four people each, offering different experiences. This venue also hosts team-building events, workshops, bonfires, culinary experiences, and outdoor leisure. Additionally, Lavender Orchard has taken over the "Astronomic Hill" project, uniting nature and cinematography through outdoor cinema.[8]

Geography

The county of Giurgiu covers an area of 3,526 square kilometers, making up approximately 1.5% of the nation's total land area. Its landscape comprises both forests and arable lands, situated within the Walachian Plain and its subregions: the Gavanu-Burdea Plain in the north and the Burnaz Plain in the south. The former can be further divided into the Gavanu Plain in the north and the Câlnistea Plain in the south. Giurgiu County, like the broader Walachian Plain, experiences a continental climate, with the influence of the Danube River's valley confined to a smaller portion of its territory. In terms of hydrography, the most notable watercourses are the Danube and Arges rivers, along with their tributaries. The county's strategic position along a 72-kilometer stretch of the Danube allows for river-based connections with neighboring countries and access to the Black Sea.[3]

The Comana Reserve, situated in proximity to Bucharest, combines the Butcher's Broom Natural Reserve, the Peony Scientific Reserve, and the Comana Pond, forming a unified natural park. Established in 2004, this park holds ecological and biodiversity importance, often likened to a second Delta for Romania. Covering 24,963 acres, the Comana Reserve is the largest protected area in the Wallachian Plain, encompassing forests, the Comana Pond, marshy areas, and agricultural land, as well as the Butcher's Broom Natural Reserve and Peony Scientific Reserve. It also includes several villages whose inhabitants are permitted to use specific lands for agriculture and grazing. Tourists visiting the Comana Reserve can explore three main areas of interest. Firstly, the Comana Pond—the third-largest wetland in Romania—harbors 141 bird species and 13 fish species. Secondly, the Butcher's Broom and Peony reserves, known for their Mediterranean origin and overlapping microclimates, offer opportunities for botanical exploration. Lastly, Calugareni Commune within the park boasts a lily-of-the-valley reserve, although it lacks official protected status due to its late consideration during reserve designation.[4]

Giurgiu County experiences a temperate continental climate characterized by fairly hot summers that can result in drought and frigid winters with frost.[1] The warmest month in the county capital, Giurgiu, tends to be August, with an average daily high temperature of 31°C. January is most commonly the coldest month, as temperatures average a high of 4°C. As for the month that experiences the driest conditions, February is regarded as such because it generally receives 44 millimeters of rainfall on average. The most precipitation falls during June, averaging about 85 millimeters.[5]

History

Giurgiu's origins are somewhat unclear, but it is believed to have been established by Genoese navigators who built a citadel called San Giorgio on an island in the nearby harbor. The city's name likely originated from that settlement. Historical records first mention Giurgiu in 1394 during the time of Prince Mircea the Old, and it was initially conquered by the Turks in 1417. It returned to Walachia in 1829 through the Peace of Adrianople. In 1869, the first railway line in Romania was constructed, connecting Bucharest to Giurgiu.[6]

Throughout history, Giurgiu went through various rulers and conflicts, including periods under Ottoman control and battles during wars. Vlad Țepeș, also known as Vlad the Impaler recaptured the fortress in 1462. Over time, the city's fortifications were destroyed, leaving only a castle on Slobozia Island, connected to the mainland by a bridge. During various administrative changes, Giurgiu's status shifted, and it became a municipality in 1968. In 1981, Giurgiu County was established, covering a similar area to the historic Vlașca county.[1] 

Several historical milestones took place in Giurgiu throughout history. Apart from the aforementioned inauguration of Romania's first railway line—the Bucharest-Giurgiu railway—in 1869, the city also witnessed the establishment of the country's initial telegraph line and the construction of a bridge spanning the Danube. This region has also been the birthplace of notable scholars and artists, such as mathematician Miron Nicolescu, literary historian Nicolae Cartojan, writer Tudor Vianu, poet Vasile Militaru, and painter Nicolae Darascu, among others.[3]

However, the area around Giurgiu city has a history longer than the city itself, dating back to Dacian times in the 1st century BC, with evidence of population and even being the possible location of Burebista's capital. During Roman times, the Giurgiu County area was known as Theodorapolis, established by Emperor Justinian. One theory suggests the area was named after Genoa's patron saint, San Giorgio (St. George), while others argue it is an old Romanian form of George.[2]