Gorj County

[ Short History | Geographical Outline | Touristic Information | Economy Profile ]

The first administrative entity in the territory of the present Gorj county mentioned in a document was Jales county dated back to 1385. It was followed by the counties of Motru (1415) which included part of Gorj villages, Jiu (1428) and Gilort (1502). It is mentioned under the name of Gorjiu, used for the county stretching on the hills and mountains along the Upper Jiu at the end of the 15th century (1497). Gorj county was an administrative entity until 1950 when under Law 5 on administrative-territorial reorganisation counties were replaced by districts and regions. Consequently, the villages and communes of Gorj county were incorporated in Targu Jiu, Novaci, and Gilort and partially in Baia de Arama and Filiasi districts which belonged to Gorj region, for a short period of time. After the dissolution of Gorj region in 1952 they were included in Craiova region called Oltenia region after 1965. Under Law 2/February 17, 1968 on territorial organisation Gorj county was re-established.

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Geographical Outline

Gorj county lies in the south-western part of the country, in the north of Oltenia on the Middle Jiu. The 45th parallel crosses it almost through its middle south of Targu Jiu municipality. It borders on Hunedoara county to the north, Caras-Severin county to the north-west and Valcea, Dolj and Mehedinti counties to the east, south-east and south-west. It has an area of 5,602 sq.km, that is 2.3 per cent of Romania’s territory, ranking 21st among the country’s counties. Its relief is rich and diverse, made up of three important steps: mountains, sub-Carpathian hills and the northern extremity of the Gaetic Plateau. Mountains cover 30 per cent of the county’s area. The high peaks of the Parang and Valcan mountains mark the northern border of the county. The Parang Massif covers more than 1,00 sq.km. The highest altitude is reached by Parangul Mare Peak (2518 m), the second highest peak in the Romanian Carpathians. The Valcan Massif continues the Parang Mountains towards the west with gentle slopes of 600 m to 1900 m (Straja Peak - 1870 m; Oslea Peak - 1945 m). The sub-Carpathian hills (400 m-800 m) stretch from the Oltet to the Motru at the contact with the mountains. In the south of the sub-Carpathian zone the relief is still high, the hills of the Gaetic Plateau, like long ridges advancing to the south. The climate is temperate continental with slight Mediterranean influences, with average annual temperatures of 10.3° C. The county is under the influence of south-western and western masses of air that get here as warmer and drier air. The major waterway basin of Gorj county includes the river Jiu (its middle course) that flows in its territory from the Lainici Pass to the junction with the river Gilort. Collecting the surface waters from an area of 10,469 sq.km the Jiu enriches its flow receiving the waters of the inland rivers Tismana, Orlea, Bistrita, Jales, Susita, Sadu, Amaradia, Cioiana. Other important rivers of the county are the Gilort, Oltet and Motru. Glacial lakes: Galcescu, Tauri, Slaveciu, Mija, Pasarea and Godeanu. The geographical diversity of the county’s territory is parallelled by the variety of mineral resources: coal (anthracite, graphite, lean lignite), oil, well gas, marble, limestone, marl, refractory clay a.o. Forests, which cover 43.5 per cent of the county’s area, provide large quantities of lumber and shelter rich and varied game and berries.

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Touristic Information

Having a special natural potential as wonderful mountain landscapes, meadows with flowers, century-old forests, ice lakes, narrow pathes, quays, caves, clear rivers and valuable historic and artistically treasures, the Gorj county is one of the most attractive tourist zones in Romania. The town of Brancusi's monuments, the municipality of Targu Jiu is the capital city of this county. The most valuable attraction of the town is undoubtedly the sculptural complex made by great Brancusi in 1937-1938: Table of Silence, Gate of Kiss and Endless Column. The three masterpieces gathered in an open-air place are dedicated to the heroes of the I WW. In Targu Jiu the tourists are to visit the County Museum founded in 1894, different memorial houses and others as: Administrative Palace, "Gorj" Hotel, Commercial Bank, etc. In Curtisoara, in a picturesque place there is Cula Cornoius fortified house built in the XVIII-th century and an interesting village museum. Near by the Jiu Narrow Path there are the ruins of a Roman camp dating back from Emperors Septimius Severus and Caracalla's time. On the Jiu Valley the tourists can stop at "Lainici" or to visit the monastery from here. In fact in any place of the Gorj county the tourists meet something to be admired. From Novaci, a fine mountain town dating back from the XVI-th century, the Ranca Spa can be reached (1.600 m above sea) Baia de Fier is known thanks to Pestera Muierii, a cave situated in the quays of the Galbenu River. Near by the Oltetul Quays there is the Polovraci Monastery built in the XVIII-th century. Crossing the town of Targu Carbunesti the tourists arrive in the village of Vladimiri where there is "Tudor Vladimirescu" Memorial house. In the village of Pades revolutionist Tudor Vladimirescu read his Proclamation in 1821. Tismana offers also some tourist attractions: the monastery with its valuable fresca. At 32 km North-East far from Targu Jiu and 16 km North from Targu Carbunesti there is the Sacelu Spa (340 m above sea) with a nice climate and table waters.

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Economy Profile

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