
The Mayor of Ramnicu Valcea invite the tourists to visit the attractions near to Municipality
The main wealth of Valcea County are the thermal waters. The presence of numerous mineral springs in the county has led to the emergence and development of a network of health resorts of national and international reputation. Known, appreciated and valued for over two centuries, these “natural pharmacies” have beneficial effects on the human body.
Ocnele Mari – a town located 12 km from Ramnicu Valcea, is known for its chlorosodium and iodized waters, as well as for its sapropelic mud. The most important tourist attractions in the area are: “The bottomless pool” (a recreational base with salt water located on an old mine mouth, the 3 pools are filled with brine from natural deposits) and the “Ocnele Mari” Salt Mine, open to the public in 2009. Situated at 225 m depth beneath the sea level, a lot of serious respiratory diseases can be cured here.
Băile Olănești
The spa resort located 18 km from Ramnicu Valcea is famous domestically and internationally, with over 35 hydromineral sources that help you regain your inner balance and health.
The beneficent power of the mineral waters at Baile Olanesti was known even during the Roman times, being mentioned for the first time in 1760 and they are called “healing waters”.
In 1873, the mineral waters of Olănești were sent for a new examination and were awarded the Gold Medal at the International Exhibition in Vienna. The resort is one of the few places in the country where mineral water treatments, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, aerotherapy, physiotherapy or treatments to desensitize the body to patients with various allergic diseases, by injections with isotonic sulfurous mineral waters taken directly from the source.
The most important of the resorts is by far Călimănești – Căciulata, located on the Olt Valley, 18 km from Râmnicu Vâlcea. Surrounded by the Cozia Mountains and the Olt River, this “pearl” of the Olt Valley is an archipelago of hotels, parks, promenade alleys, hermitages, thermal waters. (the largest number of thermal water pools in the country).
In 1893, the mineral waters of Călimănești – Căciulata were sent for an examination at the Brussels Exhibition and were awarded the Gold Medal. The most important tourist attractions there are: Cozia Monastery built between 1387-1388 by Ruler Mircea the Elder; Ostrov Monastery built in 1518-1522 by Ruler Neagoe Basarab; Turnu Monastery, built in 1676, famous for the caves that belonged to the monks; Roman vestiges: Arutela Camp, Trajan’s Table.Currently, the Olt Valley is considered a true splendor of the Romanian tourism including over 300 historical, cultural and natural monuments. From there, you can easily visit the Lotrișor Waterfall (unique in Romania, being man-made in the years 1970 – 1971, when the forest road was rebuilt and the stream was diverted through a tunnel dug in the rock) and the Scoruș Waterfall (the tourists are absolutely fascinated by the wild landscape and the forest road going up along the river to the waterfall ranking as the largest in Romania – 101.5 m).
For a dreamy journey with wild lively landscapes that will take your breath away, you must see the Lotrului Valley. The signs and marked trails will take you to the Galbenu Lake and the Petrimanu Lake, where the green forests on the surrounding mountains are reflected in the crystal clear water, creating fairytale landscapes. The Vidra Lake, an artificial reservoir lake, with a length of 9 km and an area of 1000 hectares, supplies water to the Ciunget Hydropower Plant which is the second largest hydropower plant in Romania.
Nearby, there is “Transalpina Ski Resort”, the skiing area which has already become a national brand, being known as the only skiing area open until May, with slopes going down on the northern side, in the Lotrului Mountains. The project includes over 80 km of slopes that reach up to 2100 m altitude. The beautiful image of the Vidra Lake makes you think of Ausrian skiing areas. From there, you can easily reach Obârșia Lotrului, a quiet tourist resort, the place where the paradise of mountain hiking enthusiasts begins.
Transalpina or “The King’s Road” is the highest road in Romania as well as in the entire chain of the Carpathian Mountains, both in the country and abroad, reaching its maximum altitude (2145 m) and a total length of 148 km. The area has preserved its untouched wildness and the special charm that few places in the country still have. Following the Top Gear Team’s visit of the Transfăgărăşan, the latter was classified in the top 13 most spectacular roads in the world.
Horezu
The capital of Romanian ceramics, the old royal town of Constantin Brâncoveanu, is a famous traditional pottery region. Annually, they organize the “Hurez Rooster” Festival- the town symbol which represents the Romanian peasant’s awakening to life. The pottery festival is like a fresco of clay craftsmen’s creations from all over Romania.
The most important tourist attractions there are: Horezu Monastery founded by Ruler Constantin Brâncoveanu in 1690, a monument included in the UNESCO patrimony, representative of the Brâncoveanu architectural style; Bistrița Monastery – erected in 1492 – 1494; Arnota Monastery – founded by Ruler Matei Basarab in 1634; Bistrița Gorges, the narrowest limestone gorges in Romania, part of the Buila-Vânturarița National Park and famous for its 22 caves. You should also visit the “Măldăreşti Museum “ which includes Culele Greceanu and Culele Duca, Trovanții, I. G. Duca Memorial House as well as Maldr’s Mansion which will invite you to discover the manorial charm of Oltenia.
A few kilometers away, after taking a difficult road, there is a fairytale place – the Roman’s Peak, located at over 2000 metres altitude. The wild trails, the sheepfolds, the slopes full of rhododendrons (mountain peonys) or the monastery right in the middle of the mountain resort will make you think of an imaginary world.
Drăgășani Romania’s Tuscany is located in the centreof an area with an ancient viticulture tradition (of more than 500 years old) and it is the place of the greatest innovations related to grapes over the last century. The reputation of Drăgășani vineyards and wine has always been a place of honour. Continuously developing wine tourism offers wine lovers tourist stays with accommodation, meals, wine tastings, wine cellar tours and walks in the vineyards.
The high sunny hills with Mediterranean influences make the widely-spread vineyards on the banks of the Olt River the perfect “old world” microclimate for quality wines. Avincis and Știrbey wineries, Isărescu or Iordache Wine Houses invite you to escape from everyday life and relax in the old cultural tradition of the Romanian people.
We have an extraordinarily beautiful country with places of rare beauty and we wholeheartedly recommend those who have not yet come to cross it not to miss such an experience!