OLTENIA, the territory between the Danube River, the Olt River and the Southern Carpathians, is a historical province, with very important towns such as: Craiova (population 301.000 in 2006), Targu Jiu (103.000), Drobeta-Turnu Severin (110.000), Ramnicu Valcea ( 112.000).

This province has 3 zones of relief from north to south: in the north the southern slopes of the Vulcan and Parang Mountains and the south-eastern slopes of the Godeanu and Mehedinti Mountains, in the middle of the province the Sub-Carpathians of Oltenia, the Getic tableland and the Targu Jiu intrahills basin, and in the south the Oltenia plain. The climate is temperate continental.

 The subcarpathian zone of Oltenia has many important touristic objectives such as: the health resorts of Olanesti, Calimanesti-Caciulata, Govora and Voineasa, then Horezu Monastery or The Muierii (that means “Women’s”) and Polovragi caves. Targu Jiu town is the "home" of the well-known artworks of the great romanian sculptor CONSTANTIN BRANCUSI (1876-1957): The Endless Column (big pfoto above), The Table of Silance and The Gate of Kiss (photos below). Along the road from Targu Jiu to Drobeta-Turnu Severin it is worth visiting the beautiful Tismana Monastery, the group of caves from Closani, the ruins of the famous bridge built over the Danube by Apolodor of Damasc between 103-105 A.D. (near Drobeta Turnu-Severin town), the Roman camp and thermal (in the same zone) which were built during Hadrian’s reign and the hydro-electric plant from the Iorn-Gates I (Portile de Fier), at the frontier between Romania and Serbia.

CONSTANTIN BRANCUSI (1876-1957)

 

For more photos click HERE!