Virtual Meeting Place Romania

Oltenia is a wonderful area placed between Danube, Olt river and Southern Carpathians. As a remark, Olt river divides Wallachia in two separate areas: Oltenia in the West and Muntenia in the East. People of Oltenia are proud, loving, beautiful and famous because of their desire to be free. In the recorded history, the population living in the North of the Danube river (the Getae) was first mentioned by Herodotus, "the father of history" (in the 4^th century BC). Men were recognized for their bravery in battle. Perhaps this is the explanation why they remained the main ethnic population in this area despite the wars, many years of Roman colonization and the attacks of migrating people. For example, the Slavs who were assimilated little by little by the natives in present Oltenia, Wallachia (Muntenia) and Dobrudja. It is true that their influence left traces in Romanian vocabulary, customs, traditions and food.

So many legends and ballads are talking to the present generations about their ancestors feats of bravery. In these old woods, Romanians found a salvation when intruders came to steal their women or children, to rob their things and cattle, to put fire on their houses and even to kill everyone in their way. During many centuries, Oltenia - as entire Wallachia - was mainly exposed to the Turkish aggressive attacks and systematically destroyed (especially in the second half of the 16^th century). But as Phoenix Bird, each time people returned and continued their lives building their houses and lives again. You must know that Oltenia gave courageous boyars to the local rulers; on their shoulders the Prince put many responsibilities. Michael the Brave became the ruler of entire Wallachia Principality in 1593 and Preda Buzescu (coming from Oltenia) was rewarded with the Great Ban's high dignity for his loyalty and help in difficult times. Also the last two rulers of Wallachia were born in a great family of Oltenia: the brothers Gheorghe Dimitrie Bibescu (1842-1848) and Barbu Dimitrie Stirbei (1849-1856).

Spending your vacation in Oltenia will be a wonderful opportunity to fill your soul with unforgettable views (many forests and hidden caves - Muierilor Cave, Polovragi Cave, Closani Cave). Also you can treat your illnesses in the modern resorts as Olanesti, Calimanesti-Caciulata, Govora, Herculane and Voineasa. The splendid landscape of the pass created by the Olt river can be one of the most beautiful memory of your life. Oltenia carpets are famous because of their refined ornaments; you will admire all kind of birds (hoopoe, chicken, duck, geese), flowers, characters of the village, dance and many other amazing patterns. In many ethnographic museums of the world you can find these carpets home made in Oltenia. Main cities of Oltenia are : Craiova, Ramnicu Valcea, Tirgu Jiu and Drobeta-Turnu Severin.

Craiova

The capital of Oltenia is Craiova. This town is the seat of the Dolj county and it is placed in the Northern part of Oltenia plain lying on the left bank of the Jiu river. This geographic zone was inhabited since the Neolithic. Also Dacians had in the neighborhood an important settlement called Pelendava. In the year 225 A.D. was the first time when this place appeared on a Roman map. In the 16th century Craiova was raised to the rank of a town and in the 18^th century it was considered the second most important town of Wallachia. But the number of its people decreased dramatically especially at the end of the 18^th century because of epidemics and fires. The military tradition of Oltenia's men was never forgotten. In 1821 many inhabitants participated to the revolution against the Phanariot regime (that started in Wallachia in 1716).

The main feature of Craiova during the two first decades of the 19^th century was an economic flourish determined by the increasing of interest in the handicraft, commercial trade field and in public services. Craiova was regarded as an important commercial, administrative and cultural center. During the czarist rule (1828-1834), Craiova continued its economic development. That is why in 1832 documents recorded here more than 595 shops. There were exported animals, cereals, furs to Austria and Turkey. In 1846 in this town was set up the first Romanian stock company for the transportation of cereals by ship. Its continuous development makes from Craiova a powerful industrial center in the fields of aeronautics, chemical industry, food industry, extractive and power industries. Since 1968 Craiova is a municipality. You can visit here The Museum of Oltenia, The Botanical Gardens, The National theatre, some beautiful old buildings and its green parks.

Olanesti

This small town is placed on the Olanesti river in Valcea county at 19 km of Ramnicu Valcea. It has a protective climate with mild winters and cool summers. You can spend a wonderful time in this splendid landscape with oak and beech forests. Long walks in the nature are benefic for relaxing your nerves. Take in consideration the fact that Olanesti has many sulphurous, chlorinated, slightly iodinated, brominated, sodic, calcic and magnesian mineral waters of various concentrations. These 30 springs were tested for the first time in 1830. After this date the area began to be recommended for treating diseases of the kidneys and urinary system, for metabolic and nutrition disorders, respiratory and dermatological problems. The Olanesti resort provides all sort of modern facilities for aerosols, warm baths with mineral waters, electrotherapy and hydrotherapy, gymnastics, and so on. There are over 20 fountains for drinking mineral water.

Monuments in the area: a wooden church dated 1746 (brought here from Albac) and St. Nicholas Church (1718).

Calimanesti-Caciulata

In the same Valcea county you can visit other two famous Romanian resorts: Calimanesti and Caciulata (placed very close one another). The climate is specific for the Sub-Carpathian hollows without high contrasts in temperature. Anyone can take the opportunity of spending his vacation here in the beautiful nature. The spas are highly recommended for curing digestive diseases, kidney and urinary system affections, metabolic and nutrition disorders, respiratory problems, rheumatic pains, post-traumatic complications, gynecological disorders, ear, nose and throat diseases and many other problems. As a curiosity, in 1869 Napoleon III was on a cure of mineral water sent from Calimanesti. After 24 years (in 1893), the samples of mineral water from Calimanesti-Caciulata won the gold medal at the 'International Foods and Mineral Waters Exhibition' in Brussels. The first cure establishments are dated in 1910. Nowadays you can find besides the natural factors many modern facilities for medical treatment. It worth to improve your health staying here a few days! In the neighborhood you can see the famous Cozia Monastery - which was founded in 1388 by the Wallachian Prince Mircea the Old (Dracula's grandfather). Its pronaos still keeps fragments of the original Byzantine monastic painting made between 1390 and 1391. The museum of the monastery has a precious collection of old icons, monastic objects, coins and old books.

Govora

This resort is well known since 1866 for the external and internal cures with mineral waters that can be done here. Being situated in the Govora Sub-Carpathians depression, this small town has a moderate continental climate perfect for a relaxing vacation during summer time. But you can use the mineral mud which is extracted here and fossil mud brought from Ocnele Mari. The resort is recommended for the treatment of respiratory diseases, rheumatic problems, peripheral and central neurological disorders, post-traumatic affections and many other illnesses. Children have their own sanatorium for treated their rheumatic and respiratory diseases. Nearby you can visit Govora Monastery which was founded in the early of 15^th century. In this monastery the ruler Matei Basarab had a printing press installed and in 1640 the oldest collection of laws in Wallachia was printed.

Herculane

You are welcome to Herculane - one the oldest resorts in the country which continues a tradition of more than 2,000 years. Romans used these thermal waters and built here many baths. People coming from all over Roman Empire enjoyed the benefits of these springs. Situated on Cerna river this settlement was destroyed in 1791 by Turkish-Austrian war, but the spa was rebuilt after 1801 and its fame went quickly over the borders. This area is still famous for the great therapeutic qualities of its springs and for the charming surroundings that can be visited. The air is negatively ionized. Many Romanian and foreign personalities came here during the time because its sulphurous, clorosodic, calcic, and hypotonic thermal mineral waters recommended for the inflammatory, rheumatic, post-traumatic, metabolic, neurological, dermatological and cardiovascular diseases. You will feel much better after taking a thermal bath in an indoor swimming pool, after a massage or after a session of kinetotherapy. Many trips are organized to visit the beautiful places nearby (for example the Outlaws' Cave, the Steam Cave), up in the mountains, to the nearest towns (as Drobeta-Turnu Severin, Orsova, Timisoara) or the ruins of a Roman camp in Mehadia.

Horezu Monastery

One of the best known places in Oltenia is Horezu - situated between Ramnicu Valcea and Tirgu Jiu cities. The oldest settlement was set up in the Horezu depression and was named Huhurezu (which means "owl") in a document dated in 1487. Later in 1600 the Prince Constantin Brancoveanu ordered that a monastery to be built here. The style of the construction is known in Romanian architecture under the name "brancovenesc". This monastery is considered to be the most representative monument of the 17^th century in Wallachia. Here worked people in a painting and sculpture school who became the leaders for the next generations of artists. In the 18^th century Horezu was famous for its pottery having refined ornaments unique in Romania. Since then most of the inhabitants are known for their beautiful fruits. Due to the climate, here can be found also sweet chestnuts, hazelnuts and wild lilac. Visiting the monastery it is impossible not to buy a few things made from carved wood, flutes, or these ivory ceramics specific only for this particular zone. When you will see Horezu with your own eyes, you will be impressed as many other tourists !