Targu - Jiu

City Highlights
» City Landmarks
» Museums
» Nearby Attractions
» Day Trips
City Essentials
» Transportation
» Accommodations
» Tourist info
» Maps		 Targu Jiu City Map - Harta Orasului Targu-Jiu
Targu Jiu - General Information
Location: Southwestern Romania
County: Gorj
Size: 7.2 sq. miles (19 sq. km)
Elevation: 675 - 759 ft. (205 - 230 meters)
Population: 102,000
First documented: 1406
Targu Jiu on map - Romania Physical Map

City Highlights

A former Roman settlement, the city of Targu Jiu lies at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, on the banks of the river Jiu. Inhabited since Paleolithic times, the region of western Oltenia 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, The Gate of Kiss, Targu-Jiu - RomaniaConstantin Brancusi, one of the most influential modern sculptors of the 20th century, was born near Targu Jiu, in Hobita. Although he lived and worked for most of his life in Paris, his legacy is also preserved in Romania, in the city of Targu Jiu.

The Jiu River valley was the scene of heavy fighting during World War I and World War II. Here, in a monumental ensemble, Brancusi created three sculptures as a memorial to the 8,500 Romanian soldiers who died defending the Jiu Valley from the advancing German army. The three sculptures, the Silence Table (Masa Tacerii), the Kiss Gate (Poarta Sarutului) and the Endless Column (Coloana Infinitului), are placed on mile-long (1.5 km) east-west axis that runs through the heart of the city.

Constantin Brancusi - The Table of Silence, Targu-Jiu - Romania The Table of Silence, made from limestone, features twelve chairs, originally placed much closer to the table and arranged in pairs.

The Kiss Gate, made out of marble, features a kiss motif on the gate pillars. The entire structure is supported on a steel axle, set in a concrete foundation of five square meters.

Constantin Brancusi - The Endless Column (Targu-Jiu,Romania)The Endless Column stacks 17 rhomboidal cast iron modules in a 30-meter high column. The modules, completed in 1938, were made in the central workshop of Petroşani. The column was restored in 1964.

Targu Jiu is also 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.

» Museums

Art Museum (Muzeul de Arta)
Address: Str. Stadion
Telephone: (253) 214.156
Open: Tue. – Sun. 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Closed Mon.
Admission charge
Here visitors can enjoy photographs of Brancusi’s life along with artworks by other Romanian modern artists.

Gorj County Museum (Muzeul de Istorie Alexandru Stefulescu)
Address: Str. Geneva 8
Telephone: (253) 212.044
Open: Tue. – Sun. 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Closed Mon.
Admission charge
Set up in 1894, it is considered to be the first county museum in Romania. On display are colorful examples of Oltenian folk art.

Ecaterina Teodoroiu Memorial House (Casa memoriala Ecaterina Teodoroiu)
Address: Blvd. Ecaterina Teodoriu 270
Built in 1884 by the Teodoroiu family, the house is dedicated to the memory of the young Ecaterina Teodoroiu, the Romanian World War I heroine who disguised herself as a man so she could fight alongside her fellow soldiers.

Interesting fact:

Born in 1894, Ecaterina Teodoroiu graduated from the Girls’ School in Bucharest and was soon to become a teacher at the time when Romania entered World War I. In October 1916, Ecaterina joined the Romanian Army during the first Jiu battle when General Ion Dragalina's 1st Army resisted the 9th German Army offensive.

She had initially worked as a nurse but subsequently decided to become a front-line soldier, after the death of her brother Nicolae (Sergeant in the Romanian Army). It was an unusual decision for a woman to be fighting in battles and she was sent to the front reluctantly. However, soon she proved her worthiness as a soldier. By November she was taken prisoner but managed to escape. After hospitalization, she came back to the front where she was soon decorated, advanced in rank to Sublocotenent (Second Lieutenant) and given the command of a 25-man platoon. She was later awarded the Military Virtue Medal, 1st Class for bravery.

On September 3, 1917, she was killed in the Battle of Marasesti (Vrancea County). According to some accounts, her last words before dying were: "Forward, men, I'm still with you!"

Topi New Glass Design Studio
Address: Str. Unirii 92 C
Telephone: (253) 216.856
www.artbydoliya.com/topi_glass/index.htm
Mihai Topescu, a well-known Romanian 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.

» Nearby Attractions

Gorj Folk Art Museum in Curtisoara (Muzeul Arhitecturii Populare din Gorj)
Location: Curtisoara - 6 miles (10 km) north of Targu Jiu
Access: car
Open: Tue. – Sun. 8 a.m – 5 p.m.; Closed Mon.
Admission charge
Curtisoara is home to an interesting open-air museum, featuring a collection of barns, wine stores, mills and houses enclosing an 18th Century cula  - a traditional manor house with a one-story design popular in this area,  and a church dating from 1820.  

Hobita
Location: 16 miles (25 km) north of Targu Jiu
Access: car,
Open: Mon. – Sun. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission Charge
A visit to Hobita, the birthplace of world famous sculptor Constantin Brancusi, will reveal the creative influence the aesthetics of Oltenia’s peasant life had on his artistic work. The house in which the sculptor was born in 1876 and spent his childhood is open for visitors and features a small museum dedicated to the master. The house preserves the original architecture and accessories (the bed, the cellar, and the well).

Tismana Monastery
Location: 22 miles (37 km) west of Targu 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. Today the monks are continuing the Oltenian carpet weaving and glass icon painting traditions.

Sohodolului Gorges (Cheile Sohodolului)
Location: 14 miles (22 miles) north of Targu Jiu
Access: car
Nature enthusiasts will enjoy the area’s gorges, caves, springs and spectacular columns carved in the steep walls of the mountain.

» Day Trips

Horezu Monastery & Horezu Pottery Centre
Where: 40 miles
Access: car, bus
Telephone: (250) 860.071
Located on the road leading from Targu Jiu to Curtea de Arges  Horezu Monastery, founded in 1690 by Prince Constantine Brancoveanu, is the largest monastic settlement in Walachia,. A masterpiece of the Brancovenesti style and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Horezu is renowned for the richness of its sculptural detail, the treatment of its religious compositions and its painted decorative works. 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 biggest 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.
Note: Overnight accommodation is available. Please contact the monastery for reservations.

Curtea de Arges
Location: 68 miles (108 km) east of Targu Jiu
Access: car
In Curtea de Arges, visit the 14th-century Princely Court and the Princely Church, with its lovely interior frescoes. According to tradition, 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 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 first two kings and queens are buried here.

Corvinesti Castle
Location: 70 miles (119 km) northwest of Targu Jiu
Access: car
www.RomaniaTourism.com/Castles-Fortresses.html#Corvinesti

Domogled - Cerna National Park
Location: 45 miles (76 km) west of Targu Jiu
Access: car, train
www.domogled-cerna.ro

Retezat Mountains National Park
Location: 57 miles (92 km) northwest of Targu Jiu
Access: car, train
www.retezat.ro

CITY ESSENTIALS

» Transportation

» By air

Targu Jiu does not have a local airport. The closest airports are located in:

Sibiu(SBZ) – www.sibiuairport.ro / 126 miles away
Bucharest Otopeni - Henri Coanda (OTP) - www.otp-airport.ro / 158 miles away
Bucharest Baneasa – Aurel Vlaicu (BBU) - www.baneasa-airport.ro / 158 miles

» By bus

Targu Jiu Bus Stations(Autogari)
www.autogari.ro/TarguJiu/?sbd=TarguJiu&lang=UK

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

For a complete list please visit:
www.autogari.ro/TarguJiu/?sbd=TarguJiu&lang=UK

» By car

The recommended route from Bucharest to Targu Jiu is:
Bucharest – Pitesti – Ramnicu Valcea – Curtea de Arges – Horezu – Targu Jiu
(A1 / E 81 – DN 73 C - DN 67)

Distance from Targu Jiu to:
City Distance
Miles / Km
Bucharest 158 mi / 263 km
Arad 172 mi / 297 km
Baia Mare 254 mi / 423 km
Brasov 160 mi / 267 km
Constanta 289 mi / 481 km
Iasi 336 mi / 561 km
Oradea 181 mi / 303 km
Satu Mare 257 mi / 429 km
Sibiu 126 mi / 210 km
Sighetu Marmatiei 281 mi / 469 km
Sighisoara 178 mi / 298 km
Suceava 345 mi / 575 km
Timisoara 163 mi / 272 km
Tulcea 320 mi / 533 km

» By train

Targu Jiu Train Station (Gara Alba Iulia)
Address: Blvd .Nicolae Titulescu
Telephone: (253) 812.967

There are daily trains connecting Targu Jiu with:
Bucharest (journey time: 4 3/4 hours)
Arad (journey time: 4 3/4 hours)
Cluj Napoca (journey time: 6 hours)
Craiova (journey time: 2 1/2 hours)
Deva (journey time: 3 1/4 hours)
Subcetate (journey time: 2 1/2 hours)

To check the complete schedule for domestic routes please visit the website of the Romanian Railways: http://www.infofer.ro/default_engleza.asp?lng=2
The site has complete information about domestic train schedules and fares.
Note: For Targiu Jiu please enter Tirgu Jiu.
For departures from/to Bucharest please enter Bucuresti Nord.

Trains from/to European cities run via Bucharest.
For a list of international trains with service to/from Romania please visit: www.RomaniaTourism.com/Transportation.html#ByTrain

» Public Transportation

The public transport system of Targu Jiu consists of 2 trolley tramlines and 8 bus lines. A ticket for one travel is around US 0.50 cents.

» Accommodation

For a list of available accommodations please check our Accommodations Guide.

» Tourist Info

» Weather

Targu Jiu Weather Forecast:
www.foreca.com/Romania/Targu_Jiu

›» Postal services & Telephone

Main Post Office
Address: Str. Eroilor, Bl.17
Telephone: (253) 219.476
Open: Mon. – Fri. 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Sat. 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.; Closed Sun.
Post offices display a postal horn symbol and the word Posta.

Telephoning Targu Jiu from Abroad
International Access Code (011 for US and Canada) + 40 (country code) + 253 or 353 (area code) + telephone number (six digit number)

» Pharmacies & Hospitals

There are several pharmacies (farmacie) open 24 hours a day in the city.

Emergency Hospital (Spitalul Judetean de Urgenta Targu Jiu)
Address: Str. Progresului 18
Telephone: (253) 243.315 or 210.432
www.spitalgorj.ro

Targu Jiu — Useful Telephone Numbers
Targu Jiu Area Code (Prefix) (253) or (353)
County Archives (Arhivele judejene)
Address: Str. I.C. Popilian 32		 (253) 212.315 or
(253) 207.845
City Hall (Primaria)
Address: Blvd. Constantin Brancusi 19		 (253) 213.317

» Maps

- Targu Jiu City Map (Harta Orasului Targu-Jiu)
- Romania Physical Map (Romania - Harta Fizica)
- Romania Detailed Road Map (Romania - Harta Detaliata)
- Romania Road Map (Romania - Harta Drumurilor, Sosele)
- Romania Rail Map (Romania - Harta Cailor Ferate)

information