What Vâlcea is known for

Râmnicu Vâlcea, the administrative center of Vâlcea County, offers a range of tourist experiences. Starting from the County Library, known for its stained glass windows. Other attractions include the County History Museum, the Anton Pann Memorial House, and the Art Museum, representing some of Râmnicu Vâlcea's cultural landmarks. For a spiritual journey, tourists can explore the Ramnic Archbishopric and other attractions, such as the Antim Monastery and the Cetatuia Skete, each with its own history and legends. Visitors can also stroll through the city's parks, including Zavoi Park, situated in the city center and known as the place where Romania's national anthem was first sung. Lastly, a walk along Tudor Vladimirescu Boulevard is an opportunity to see historic houses in the bohemian style.[6]

Settled at the edge of Cozia National Park lies Cozia Monastic Complex, initially named "Nucet Monastery," on the right bank of the Olt River. Founded by ruler Mircea the Elder and dedicated to the "Holy Trinity," the church was built between 1387 and 1391 by Moravian craftsmen and features white stone architecture. Renovations and additions were made over the years, including a porch from 1706 to 1707, refurbishments of the interior, and the construction of a water basin by Serban Cantacuzino. The original painting, with depictions of Mircea the Elder, his son Mihail, and Serban Cantacuzino, is preserved in the nave.[7] 

Another of the monasteries that tend to be visited by tourists for their architecture is the Monastery of Horezu, inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Established in 1690 under the patronage of Prince Constantine Brancovan, the Horezu Monastery in Wallachia stands as an example of the 'Brancovan' architectural style. This site is known for its relatively intricate sculptural elements, religious compositions, votive portraits, and ornate painted decorations.[8] However, the monastery isn't the only protected element of the Horezu area. Inscribed on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2012, Horezu ceramics represent a traditional craft from the northern part of Vâlcea County. This artistry, reportedly passed down through generations, traditionally involves a division of labor between men and women. Men handle the earth extraction, cleaning, and kneading, transforming it into a clay body for crafting red pottery. Women contribute by designing traditional motifs, combining decoration and color. The shades used include dark brown, red, green, blue, and 'Horezu ivory.'[8]

Geography

In the northern region of Vâlcea County, people can find the Făgăraș and Lotru Mountains, along with the Capatânii and Coziei Mountains near the Lovistei Depression. Moving southward, the terrain descends to a lower step, representing the sub-Carpathian area, characterized by rolling hills and the Getic Plateau. The Olt River and its tributaries, such as the Lotru, Olanesti, Bistrita, Luncavatul, Oltet, and Topologul rivers, predominantly flow from north to south across the county's expanse. Furthermore, Vâlcea County holds mineral wealth, including quartz pegmatite, feldspar, and mica in the Voineasa area, limestone in the Costesti-Bistrita basin, salt in Ocnele Mari, coal in locations like Berbesti, Alunu, and Copaceni, and oil and natural gas in Babeni, Madulari, and Fauresti. Additionally, the county is home to mineral springs found in places such as Calimanesti-Caciulata, Baile Govora, and Baile Olanesti. Moreover, it possesses hydroelectric resources, with 17 hydroelectric plants and a combined installed power capacity of nearly 1,200 megawatts.[1]

One of the protected natural areas within Vâlcea County borders is Cozia National Park, situated in the central-southern region of the Southern Carpathians. It's bounded to the north by the Lovista Depression, encompassing several localities that were once part of the land of Seneslau. These communities maintain their ancient traditions and customs. To the west, the Cozia National Park is separated from the rest of the Capatanii Mountains by peaks such as Frasineiului, Dosul Pamantului, and Valea lui Stan. To the south, the park is bordered by the sub-Carpathian hills, which encompass the Jiblea-Berislavesti Depression. To the east, the Cozia Massif, with the peaks of Sturului and Pietra Soimului, separates it from the Muscelele Topologului, passing through Saua Grosilor, and extends northward, bordering the Poiana Depression. In contrast to the nearby depressions, which have relatively low elevations, the Cozia Massif, with its highest point, Vf. Ciuha Mica, standing at 1,629 meters, is visible. It reportedly resembles a distant rocky fortress with cliffs, buttresses, and numerous towers, both on its perimeter and within. The Olt River flows through this mountainous region from north to south, carving the Gura Lotrului-Cozia gorge.[4]

The temperate-continental climate in the Vâlcea region features brief summers and prolonged winters. Precipitation levels are higher in elevated areas, whereas lower regions experience reduced rainfall and elevated temperatures.[1] The warmest time of the year on average in Vâlcea County is July and August, when the temperatures approach 30°C, while the wettest time of the year tends to be June.[5]

History

In Vâlcea County, archaeological findings include ancient carved stones dubbed "Australanthropus olteniens." Other discoveries show Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age habitation across various sites. Dacian fortresses at locations such as Ocnița, Grădiștea, and Tetoiu formed a defensive network near the Dacian kings' residence, Sarmizegetusa Regia. Excavations in Ocnele Mari unveiled the Dacian fortress of Buridava, associated with a local king from the time of Roman Emperor Octavian Augustus. In 87 AD, Romans suffered a defeat on the county's territory in Loviștea during their campaign to conquer Dacia. Later, between 106 and 271 AD, the Romans established fortifications along the Olt River known as Limens Alutanus, including Pons Vetus, Proaetorius, Arutela, Castra Traiana, Roman Buridava, Pons Aluti, and Rusidava. Following the Roman retreat in 271 AD, Daco-Roman communities continued to inhabit places such as Costești, Goranu, Inătești, Ioneștii Govorii, and Lăcusteni.[2]
Throughout its history, Vâlcea has witnessed the presence of various principalities, such as Farcas and Stanislau, with historical documents mentioning their influence over the area. A fairly considerable moment in Romanian history was the victory of Basarab I's soldiers at "Posada" Lovistei in 1330 against Charles Robert, underlining the region's historical significance. In the 14th century, Vâlcea developed under Romanian rulers, including Mircea the Old, who attested Râmnicu as a capital city in 1389, and Matei Basarab, who established a printing house at Govora in the 17th century. Constantin Brâncoveanu left a legacy with his contributions to arts and libraries, while Tudor Vladimirescu was a figure in the region's history, facing Turkish troops in several battles. Vâlcea's under-mountain monasteries, including Polovragi, Hurez, Bistrita, and Cozia, served as resistance points and shelters during various historical events.[1]

Historically, the county occupied the southwestern region of Greater Romania, located in the northeastern part of the Oltenia historical region. Râmnicu Vâlcea served as its capital. During the interwar period, the county's territory largely corresponds to the present-day Vâlcea County. However, the eastern areas of the current county were not part of the historical county. The county shared its borders with Sibiu County to the north and with Argeș and Olt Counties to the east. To the south, it was adjacent to Romanați County while bordering Dolj and Gorj Counties to the west.[3]