Trgu Jiu is the capital of Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania. It is situated on the Southern Sub-Carpathians, on the banks of the river Jiu. Eight localities are administered by the city: Brseti, Drgoieni, Iezureni, Polata, Preajba Mare, Romaneti, Slobozia and Ursai.History

Jiu Bridge at the turn of the 20th century.The city takes its name from the river Jiu, which runs through it. In antiquity, there was a Dacian village in around the location of today's city surrounded by forests. After the Roman conquests of Oltenia (101-102), military units were stationed around the roads that connected different important routes at the time. During the digging of the Trgu Jiu - Rovinari railroad, mosaics, coins, ceramics and Roman bricks were found in the south-eastern part of the city.[2] This and ancient testimonies support the idea that Trgu Jiu was a commercial town (a vicus) while under the Roman Empire's rule. A very important route that connects the Danube to Transylvania runs through the city, so historians believe that part of the Roman Army under Trajan's leadership stayed and then passed in the actual location of the city.After the 271 withdrawal of the Roman army, the city remained in the Latin influence zone, mainly because of Constantine The Great's involvement in Oltenia which he sought to bring under Imperial rule. The importance of keeping this zone under Rome's control was underlined by Constantine's decision to build a second bridge over the Danube between today's Corabia (then Sucidava) and the Bulgarian city of Gigen. It was over 2400 meters long, one of the longest of all time.This territory was under Litovoi's rule, a Vlach (Romanian) voivode in the 13th century whose territory comprised northern Oltenia. He is mentioned for the first time in a diploma issued by king Bla IV of Hungary (12351270) on 2 July 1247. In 1277 (or between 1277 and 1280), Litovoi was at war with the Hungarians over lands king Ladislaus IV of Hungary (12721290) claimed for the crown, but for which Litovoi refused to pay tribute. Litovoi was killed in battle.The first written account of the city appears in a document dating since 23-rd of November 1406 in an order signed by Mircea cel Batran. Since 1497, the city has been the seat of Gorj County.Constantin Brncui, who had lived here as a boy, was commissioned to contribute to a memorial monument to the fighters of World War I, called Calea Eroilor / The Heroes' Street and was finished in 1938. His large sculptures are now the main tourist attractions in Trgu Jiu: The Table of Silence, Stool Alley The Gate of the Kiss, and The Endless Column. The latter is shown in the middle section of the city's coat of arms.In the 1950s, the Communist mayor planned to demolish Brncui's "bourgeois" art. The plan was not carried out.Starting in the 1960s, coal surface mining contributed to a rapid population growth. Other local industries include wood, machine building, textiles, glassware and construction materials (cement, bricks and tiles).In 1992, a university was founded and named after Brncui. Constantin Brncui has four works of art exhibited in the city.

Coat of armsThe Coat of Arms of Trgu Jiu consists of a Shield with seven towers. In the centre of the Shield lies the representation of Constantin Brncui's Endless Column, a symbol of Romanian art and culture. In the right and left sides of the shield lies a golden lion holding a black sword, "garding" the Column. The Lion is the ancient symbol of Oltenia, thought to be originating from the logo of one Rome's Legions station in this aria, the 13th Legion "Gemina (Legio XIII Gemina)". It represents the bravery and combative spirit of the city's inhabitants.City HighlightsA 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, 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. 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. 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 Petroani. 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 - Here visitors can enjoy photographs of Brancusis life along with artworks by other Romanian modern artists. Gorj County Museum- 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- 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!"Nearby Attractions Gorj Folk Art Museum in CurtisoaraCurtisoara 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. Cartianu ManorBuilt 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. Constantin Brancusi Memorial HouseThe house in which sculptor Constantin Brancusi was born, in 1876, and spent his childhood is open for visitors and it features a small museum dedicated to the artist. The house 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. Tismana Monastery 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 Nature enthusiasts will enjoy the areas gorges, caves, springs and spectacular columns carved in the steep walls of the mountain.Things to see in Targu Jiu: places to visitMuseums and landmarks in Targu Jiu

Mansfield Center, source: Chris DPJ, Flickr The monumental ensemble of the path of heroes, sculpted by Constantin Brancusi endless column, consisting of the Kiss Gate Table of silence andrepresents, by far, the most important goal of the Gorj County, visited yearly by tens of thousands of tourists. The Memorial House of the sculptor Brancusi, is located in 30 km from Targu Jiu. Museum of history and Arehologie "Alexander Stefulescu", part of the Gorj County Museum, Geneva Street nr. 8, in a historical monument building, built in 1875, the eclectic architectural style. It can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday between 9 and 17. Details about all the Museum branches you will find on the County 's official website Museum of art, which houses the works of Hafiz, Vasile Ion, Iosif Keber, Angela George Jasper, Nicolae Vermont, Henri Catargi, Aurel Jiquidi, Albert Schweitzer, Margareta Sterian, Alexandru Ciucurencu. In Central Park, on the street and has the same program Cleveland Enterprise Catherine Dion Memorial House, built in 1884 and became in 1938, Memorial House is located on Boulevard E Ta No. 270 Dimitrie Maldarescu pitarului River House, the oldest building in town (1710)-Street Tudor Vladimirescu, nr. 36, hosting, today seat of the school of Arts and crafts B. G. House, a monument of ancient architecture in the neoromantic style in 1790, in Piata Victoriei, nr. 2 Jerry Jaye Ensemble, the oldest House in Oltenia-civilian in Vadeni district, cannot be visited but the Church Chapel. It is a monument of architecture, fortified with walls of premises Samesului Vasile Mahinda House (from 1770), Siret Street, nr. 30 Mausoleum E Ta (carved in 1935 by Milita Jasper) Samboteanu Fountain, the 18th-century, located in the central area, Driveway Fountain Street Statue of Constantin Brancusi (sculpted by Ion Irimescu) The statue of Tudor Vladimirescu (satin, in 1898, by c. Shue) Polish Solar Clock, 1940Elements of the natural environment in Targu Jiu

Kiss Gate, Source: La Diana, Flickr Meadow with Daffodils Cameron-Hill monumentCultural institutions in Targu Jiu Library (Romanian) "Christian Tell, Gorj County, with over 220,000 voltume, located on Calea Eroilor, nr. 23 Elvira Godeanu drama theatre, founded in 1993, is located in downtown Victoria Street, nr. 35. Details about the shows on the official website Cinema Sergiu Nicolaescu, Siret Street nr. 8A. Details on the Facebook pageMonasteries and Churches in Targu Jiu

Saints Church Princes, Abu Dhabi Church Of The Assumption (1694), founded by Joan Evans, money with fresco paintings by painters of the brancovenesti school from Horezu. Is located on Boulevard Ta E no. 365, inside The Cornea Nor Church Of The Birth Of The Virgin (1839), in Sisesti, with altar fall-out Church of our Lady in the Church Entrance, Preajba Mare district, built during 1920-1924 The Church of Saint Demetrios Eames (1876) The Roman Catholic Church Saint John Capistrano, located on Constantin Brancusi Boulevard, nr. 17 St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, built in 1810, with murals made magotsi together with Deacon and amplifies and Matthew R (School of the brancovenesc painting from the 19th century). On June 11, street No. 48 Holy Trinity Church-the potters ' Church, built in 1835 The Church of Saints Michael and Gabriel Princes-the Church of Merchants or princely Church, located in Revolution Square, painted in the Renaissance style, with the belfry Tower in 1792Festivals and cultural events in Targu Jiu The endless column, National Festival organized annually at the end of may Festival of Folk and Ballad "Kissing Gate", is held annually at the end of august Folk music festival "Maria Lataretu", held annually in November The days Of Targu Jiu -in may The kiss gate-is the space through which they make the transition to another world. The reason of the kiss on the pillars of the gate could be perceived as the eye inside. The work is made of Banpotoc travertine, dimensions of height and 5.45 m 5,13 length with a side of pillars of 1.69 m. The endless column is a real "spiritual testament" of the great artist, a true Axis mundi which seem to support the sky, eternity being considered by Sidney Geist "the leading edge of modern art". 29,33 m high, it consists of 16 modules romboidale almit cast iron. 1.80 m high modules and about 860 Kg are mounted on a shaft of steel encased in a concrete foundation with the 5 m. The table of silence-is the country, but mass and before the confrontation, from departing to fight future combatants and heroes. Worked in travertine, it has the following dimensions: plate has a diameter of 2.15 m and 0.43 m thick, leg 2 m in diameter and 0.45 m thick. Initially, the 12 chairs placed around her were much closer to the table and laid out two by two. County Library "Christian Tell"-Heroes Street, is one of the important areas of culture, intellectual training and permanent education of the municipality of Trgu-Jiu, Gorj County. The County hosts a library, in collaboration with other institutions, various large-scale events, with the national character or between counties. Drama theatre "Elvira Godeanu"-set up on 6 June 1993, has a great importance by making available to the public of that great cultural space, where it can develop motion theater and can form the next generations of actors, Palace followers Gallegos. From October 26, 2002, the theater has a new, modern gym, the theatrical season appreciated by the audience, festivals and other cultural events. The Memorial House "E Ta"-is in the Munitions, on national road 66 Trgu Jiu-Petroani. The House where he was born Catherine Dion (1894-1917) was built in 1884 by her parents and has two rooms: living room with fireplace and sleeping room. In front of the House and on the West side is the entrance hall. Until 1945 the House was inhabited by members of the family, and since 1959, after restoration, became roofed. Exposed photos, documents and objects of sublocotenetului E Ta, faithfully retracing the atmosphere in which he lived was called the "Heroine of the Jiu". County Museum "Alexander Testimonies"-was founded on July 16, 1894, on the initiative of scholars of the time, including Alexander Testimonies, Imran Mahmood and Tim Daly. The Museum includes specialized departments of Ethnography, archaeology, numismatics, history, religious objects, natural sciences and is arranged in the administrative Palace at the time, located on Geneva. The Heritage Museum has over 24,000 objects relating to the history of tight Gorjului researched and processed among others and Alexander history Testimonies. Also includes within it and a gallery of gorjene personalities, beginning in the 16th century. Art-Museum is located in the public garden of the municipality (central park), having exhibited paintings and works of art of local artists, various items of religious art and sculptures. The statue of Tudor Vladimirescu-landscaped park is located in front of the National College "Tudor Vladimirescu" and is the work of sculptor c. Blcescu and was raised in November, 1898, on the initiative of a group of students from Romania, having as President of honor historian Grigore Tocilescu. The statue of General Gheorghe Magheru, was unveiled on 7 October 1972 and is the work of sculptor v. Maryellen, located in rondoul near the intersection of heroes and Gheorghe Magheru Street, where it was home to a revolutionary patriotului. Bust of Alexander Testimonies-Opera of the sculptor Basil Baby, was develit in 1937. Alexander Testimonies (1856-1910), teacher and school inspector, journalist, archaeologist, numismatist, was an animator for the prestige of the cultural life of the city through his writings, providing a valuable contribution to the knowledge of the past Gorj County. Catherine Dion mausoleum-sarcophagus with bas-reliefs in stone, was erected in 1935, in Palace square administrative, student Milica Petrascu, student of Constantin Brancusi, to house the earthly remains of the Heroine of the Jiu.On January 22, 1979, in the area of the municipality, C.A.M was unveiled the statue of Catherine Dion