Town of Târgu - Jiu, Oltenia Region Places to see, things to do, transportation, attractions, events.

Fast Facts

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Targu Sights and Landmarks

A former Roman settlement, town of Târgu Jiu lies at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, on the banks of the river Jiu. Inhabited since Paleolithic times, Oltenia region was of strategic importance to the Romans. The area provided direct access, through one of the most spectacular passes in the Carpathians, to present-day Transylvania, the heart of the former Dacian Kingdom.

Constantin Brancusi, one of the most influential modern sculptors of the 20th century, was born in a small village (Hobita) 15 miles west of Târgu Jiu, . Although he lived and worked for most of his life in Paris, his legacy is also preserved in Romania, in Târgu Jiu.
The Jiu River valley was the scene of heavy fighting during World War I. 8,500 Romanian soldiers died in 1916, defending the Jiu Valley from the advancing German army. In 1937, Brancusi created in town of Targu Jiu the Memorial Way or the Way of the Heroes ("Calea Eroilor") - a 0.8 miles-long open-air sculptural ensemble that reunites four large-scale modern sculptures: the Table of Silence (Masa Tacerii), the Alley of Chairs (Aleea Scaunelor), the Gate of the Kiss (Poarta Sarutului) and the Endless Column (Coloana Infinita or „Coloana recunoştinţei fără sfârşit”). The sculptures are placed on the east-west axis that runs through the heart of the city.

Table of Silence, made from limestone, features twelve chairs, originally placed much closer to the table and arranged in pairs. It symbolizes the farewell meal of the Romanian soldier who leaves his family to devote himself to a greater cause, to defend his country.

Gate of the Kiss, made out of travertine, features a kiss motif on the gate pillars. It is the gate under which the Romanian soldier passes leaving his loved one behind and giving his life to his greater love, his country: Romania.

The Endless Column, completed in 1938, stacks 16 octahedral bronze modules in a 29.33 metres (96.5-feet) high column. After sacrificing himself for the Romanian people, the soldier gives up his soul, joining the endless column of those who sacrificed themselves for their country.

Major Targu Jiu landmarks include:
The Church of Saints Michael and Gabriel, also known as the Cathedral Church or Church of the Sain Voivodes, was completed in 1764. Over time, the building has undergone several interventions that have not altered its original form. In 1855, its original Byzantine-style frescoes were covered with Renaissance-style paintings. It is one of the few churches in Romania whose exterior paintings depict various philosophers of antiquity: Socrates, Aristotle, Pythagoras, Diogenes, Hippocrates, Plutarch, and others, as well as prophets and sibyls (female prophets).
The Water Tower (1909) - a 19-meter-high structure built to supply the fountains in the Public Garden. The water tower is now one of the main attractions of Targu Jiu Central Park.
The Administrative Palace (1900) - the home of Gorj (county) Prefecture and County Council - was designed by architect Petre Antonescu (who also designed the Arch of Triumph in Bucharest).
Other notable landmarks include: Targu Jiu Townhall, „Christian Tell” Public Library (Biblioteca Judeteana), as well as a number of historic mansions: Casa "Grigore Iunian" (1940 - Neo-Romanian style), Casa "Cornea Brăiloiu" (1710 - Brâncovenesc architectural style, Casa "Dimitrie Maldarescu" (1719 - one of the oldest secular building in Targu Jiu. It housed the first public school (1832) and the first play in Târgu Jiu (1834). Casa Vasile Moangă (1770 - it belonged to friend of the leader of 1821 RevolutionL Tudor Vladimirescu). Casa "Barbu Gănescu" - current home of the Constantin Brâncuşi National Museum - completed in 1790 is a fine example of 18^th century architecture typical for the Gorj area. Sculptor Constantin Brâncuşi stayed in this house between 1937 and 1938, when he worked on the Monumental Ensemble "Calea Eroilor" (Heroes' Way). In the park of the Gănescu House there is a table, carved in stone, similar to the Table of Silence,designed by Constantin Brâncuşi.

Târgu Jiu is the capital of Gorj County, a region of rolling meadows, grassy hills and mountain scenery with plenty of natural and cultural attractions to explore. Tiny towns and villages dot the county, and contain some marvelous traditional architecture. Several spa towns and monasteries high in the mountains make for popular excursions.

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Museums

Târgu Jiu Art Museum
Muzeul de Artă Târgu Jiu
Address: Str. Stadion
Telephone: (+4) 0253 214.156
Open: Tue. – Sun. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission charge
Targu Jiu Art Museum's collection includes nearly 1,400 works by Romanian, Flemish and Italian artists. Several photographs of sculptor Constantin Brancusi are also exhibited.

Museum of Gorj County
Muzeul Judetean de Istorie Alexandru Stefulescu
Address: Str. Geneva 8
Telephone: (+4) 0253 212.044
Open: Tue. – Sun. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission charge
Housed in a 1894 eclectic building, the Museum of Gorj County it is considered to be the first regional museum in Romania. Its specialized sections: ethnography, archaeology, history, numismatics, religious objects, natural sciences display over 24,000 objects related to the history of Gorj County. The folk art collection, characteristic to the region of Oltenia - southern Romania, is one of the highlights of the museum.

Ecaterina Teodoroiu Memorial House
Casa memoriala Ecaterina Teodoroiu
(Ecaterina Teodoroiu is the first woman officer of the Romanian Army)
Address: Blvd. Ecaterina Teodoriu 270
Teodoroiu family house (built in 1884) is dedicated to the memory of the young Ecaterina Teodoroiu, the Romanian World War I heroine.
Born in 1894, Ecaterina Teodoroiu graduated from Bucharest Girls' School and - at the time when Romania entered World War I - she was to become a teacher. Ecaterina joined the Romanian Army, in October 1916.   After the death of her brother Nicolae (Sergeant in the Romanian Army) she decided to become a front-line soldier. Although she was sent to the front reluctantly, she soon proved her worthiness as a soldier. Taken prisoner, Ecaterina managed to escape by killing two German soldiers. In November, she was wounded and hospitalized, but came back to the front where she was advanced in rank to Second Lieutenant and given the command of a 25-man platoon. On September 3, 1917, she was killed in the Battle of Marasesti (eastern Romania). According to some accounts, her last words before dying were: "Don't give up lads, keep advancing, I'm still with you!"

Topi New Glass Design Studio
Studioul de Design in Sticla - Mihai Topescu
Address: Str. Unirii 92 C
Telephone: (+4) 0253 219.179
Mihai Topescu, a gifted glass artist, listed in the Who's Who in Contemporary Glass Art guide, welcomes visitors to his workshop to watch him and his team create artistic and decorative glassware.

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Attractions not far from Târgu Jiu

Gorj County Folk Art Museum - Curtisoara
Muzeul Arhitecturii Populare din Gorj
Location: Curtisoara - 6 miles north of Târgu Jiu
Access: car
Open: Tue. – Sun. 8 a.m – 5 p.m.
Admission charge
Curtisoara is home to an interesting open-air museum, featuring a collection of barns, wine stores, mills and peasant houses as well as an 18th Century cula - a traditional manor house with a one-story design popular in this area, and a church dating from 1820.

Cartianu Manor
Cula Cartianu or Casa Cartienilor
Location: Cartiu, Turcinesti - 8 miles north of Târgu Jiu
Access: car
Open: Mon. – Sun. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission charge
Built in 1760 the Cartianu Manor (Cula Cartianu) is a fine example of traditional southern Romania architecture that combines stone and brick masonry with large wood beams. The manor is also home to a unique exhibit of traditional costumes, textiles and accessories.

Sculptor Constantin Brancusi Memorial House
Casa Memoriala Constantin Brancusi
Location: Hobita 16 miles north of Târgu Jiu
Access: car,
Open: Mon. – Sun. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission charge
The house in which world-known sculptor Constantin Brancusi was born, in 1876, and spent his childhood now welcomes visitors.
It preserves the original architecture, furniture and other household items. Influences of the aesthetics of peasant life in south-western Romania (Oltenia) can be identified in some of artist's works.

Monastery Tismana
Manastirea Tismana
Location: 22 miles west of Târgu Jiu
Access: car
Open:  Mon. – Sun.,   8 a.m. -- 6 p.m.
Admission charge
Dating from 1375, Tismana is one of the oldest monasteries in Romania. The monks that live in the monastery are continuing the, century-old, carpet weaving (Covoare Oltenesti) and glass icon painting traditions.

Sohodolului Gorges
Cheile Sohodolului
Location: 14 miles north of Târgu Jiu
Access: car
Nature enthusiasts will enjoy the area's gorges, caves, springs and spectacular columns carved in the steep walls of the mountain.

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Day Trips from Targu Jiu

Hurezi Monastery & Horezu Pottery Centre
Manastirea Hurezi
Where: 45 miles east of Târgu Jiu
Access: car, bus
Telephone: (+4) 0250 860.071
Located on the road that connects the towns of Târgu Jiu and Curtea de Arges, Horezu Monastery is the largest monastic settlement in Walachia and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Founded in 1690 by Prince Constantin Brancoveanu, monastery Horezu is renowned for the richness of its sculptural detail the treatment of its religious compositions and its painted decorative works. A masterpiece of the "Brancovenesc" architectural style, the monastery houses precious collections of frescoes and icons dating from the end of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century.
The nearby village of Horezu is home to one of the best-knownt pottery centres in Romania. Nearly a century ago, local nuns taught the villagers how to make and paint pottery, and ever since, people have come from far and wide to get their hands on Horezu's ceramic.
(Limited) Overnight accommodationa are available at Hurezi Monastery.

Town of Curtea de Arges
Location: 90 miles east of Târgu Jiu
Access: car
In Curtea de Arges, visit the 14th-century Princely Court and the Princely Church, with its unique - early 1300s - interior frescoes. Curtea de Arges was founded in the early 14th century by Prince Radu Negru. The town succeeded Campulung as the capital of Walachia, hence its name Curtea (The Court). Another stunning architectural gem in Curtea de Arges is, the 16th century, Curtea de Arges Monastery (Manastirea Curtea de Arges), toppled with two towers spiraling in opposite directions. Behold the sad legend of Manole as you take in its beauty. Romania's kings and queens are buried in the monastery.

Corvinilor Castle
Castelul Corvinilor
Location: 85 miles northwest of Târgu Jiu
Access: car
Corvin Castle info

Domogled - Cerna National Park
Parcul National Domoghed -- Valea Cernei
Location: 45 miles west of Târgu Jiu
Access: car, train
Domogled - Cerna National Park more info

Retezat Mountains National Park
Parcul National Retezat
Location: 58 miles northwest of Târgu Jiu
Access: car, train
Retezat National Park more info

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Târgu Jiu Trip Planning Info

Transportation

Travel to Târgu Jiu by Plane

Nearest airports to Târgu Jiu:
Craiova (CRA) - 70 miles south
Sibiu (SBZ) - 125 miles north east
and
Bucharest Otopeni - Henri Coanda (OTP) - 160 miles south east

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Travel to Târgu Jiu by train

Târgu Jiu Train Station
Gara Târgu Jiu
Address: Bd. Nicolae Titulescu
Telephone: (+4) 0253 812.967

There are daily trains connecting Târgu Jiu with:
Bucharest (journey time: 6 hours : 30 min.)
Cluj Napoca (journey time: .)
Craiova (journey time: .)
(journey time: ) (journey time: )

Train Travel Time from/to Târgu Jiu:
City	Travel Time
Bucharest	6 hours and 30 min.
Cluj-Napoca	7 hours and 30 min.
Craiova	2 hours and 05 min.
Deva	3 hours and 45 min.
Drobeta Turnu Severin	4 hours and 15 min.

To check schedules for domestic routes please visit RomaniaTourism Domestic Transportation section.
Notes:
For Târgu Jiu please enter Tirgu Jiu.
For departures from/to Bucharest please enter Bucuresti Nord.

Info on international trains with service to/from Romania are available in the International Transportation section

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Reaching Târgu Jiu with inter-city Bus

Târgu Jiu Bus Station

Autogara Express - Târgu Jiu
Address: Str. Nicolae Titulescu 5
Telephone: (+4) 0754 096.294

Autogara Est
Address: Calea București 9 A
Telephone: (+4) 0755 107.554

Daily domestic bus service from/to:
Alba Iulia, Arad, Baile Herculane, Bucharest, Cluj Napoca, Deva, Hateg, Horezu, Orastie, Sibiu, Timisoara, Turda

Companies that are offering inter-city bus service to/from Targu Jiu include:
Dikel Tour,   Express Transport ,   and   Normandia

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Drive to Targu Jiu

The fastest route from Bucharest to Târgu Jiu is:
Bucharest – Pitesti – Horezu – Târgu Jiu
(A1 / E 81 – DN 73 C - DN 67)

Road Distance from/to Târgu Jiu:
City	Distance
Bucharest	160 miles
Arad	175 miles
Baia Mare	255 miles
Brasov	165 miles
Cluj-Napoca	180 miles
Constanta	290 miles
Iasi	340 miles
Sibiu	125 miles
Sighisoara	180 miles
Suceava	345 miles
Targu Mures	160 miles
Timisoara	170 miles

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Targu Jiu Car Rental

Automotive
Telephone: (+4) 0728 164.146

Sky Rent A Car
Telephone: (+4) 0766 821 321

Autodenu
Telephone: (+4) 0767 056 333

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Public Transportation

Eight bus and two trolleybus routes connect Târgu Jiu neighborhoods and tourist attractions.
Info on routes and fares are available at Târgu Jiu local transport authority TransLoc.

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Târgu Jiu Taxi Companies

Name	Phone #
Taxi Number One	(+4) 0253 206.060
Taxi Dismolex	(+4) 0253 212.121
Taxi InterCity	(+4) 0253 206.011

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Târgu Jiu Hotels

Accommodations in Târgu Jiu include:

Hotel Name	Class	Location
Ramada	four-star/ midscale	town centre
Europa	three-star/ midscale	town centre
Anna	three-star/ midscale	0.4 miles southeast of town centre
Art Boutique Central	boutique / midscale	town centre
Goya Boutique	boutique / midscale	2.5 miles east of town centre
YmY	three-star/ midscale	0.5 miles southwest of town centre
Aqua	three-star/ midscale	0.8 miles southeast of town centre
Story	three-star/ midscale	0.5 miles north of town centre

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Tourist Info

Târgu Jiu Tourist Info Centre
Centrul Național de Informare și Promovare Turistică Târgu Jiu
Bd. Constantin Brâncuși 29
Phone: (+4) 0253 223.261

Gorj County Tourist info

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Targu Jiu Health and Emergency

General Emergency Telephone number: 112
Ambulance (Ambulanta),   Police (Politia),   Fire and Rescue (Pompieri)

Pharmacies & Hospitals

Târgu Jiu pharmacies open non-stop:

Farmacia Optifarm
Address: Strada Unirii, bl. 16, parter
Telephone: 0767 124 776

Târgu Jiu Emergency Hospital
Spitalul Judetean de Urgenta Târgu Jiu
Address: Str. Progresului 18
Telephone: (+4) 0253 243.315 or (+4) 0253 210.432

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Târgu Jiu Local Authorities

Gorj County Archives
Arhivele Județene Gorj
Address: Str. I.C. Popilian 32
Telephone: (+4) 0253 212.315

Târgu Jiu Town Hall
Primaria Târgu Jiu
Telephone: (+4) 0253 213.317
Address: Blvd.Constantin Brancusi 19

Gorj County Consumer Protection Agency (ANPC)
Comisariatul Judeţean pentru Protecţia Consumatorilor Gorj
Address: Str. Geneva 2, 1st floor
Telephone: (+4) 0253 212.521

Postal services
Main Post Office (Oficiul Postal)
Address: Str. Eroilor, Bl. 17
Telephone: (+4) 0253 219.476
Open: Mon. – Fri. 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sat. 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Post office signs display the word POSTA.

Telephoning Târgu Jiu from Abroad
International Access Code (011 for US and Canada) + 4 (country code) + 0253 or 0353 (area code) + six-digit telephone number

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Maps

Town of Târgu Jiu Map (Harta Orasului Târgu-Jiu)
Town of Targu Jiu interactive Street Map   (Harta Interactiva Targu Jiu)
Romania Physical Map   (Romania - Harta Fizica)
Romania Main Roads and Tourist Attractions Map   ( Romania - Harta Atractii Turistice)
Romania Road Map   (Romania - Harta Drumurilor si Soselelor)
Romania Railways Map   (Romania - Harta Cailor Ferate)