Olt Defile
Encyclopedia
The Olt Defile is a defile
that has been cut into the Transyvanian Alps
in south-central Romania
by the Olt River
. In the Brezoi-Titesti Depression portion of the defile are located hot spring resorts. In the surrounding mountains grow Walnut and oak trees, wild roses, and white ivy. Transportation is provided by highways and railways between Râmnicu Vâlcea
and Sibiu
.
The defile was important when Rome occupied the area during the 1st century BC to 2nd century AD, building roads and fortifications along the Olt to north of the Danube
. This line of fortifications was known as the Limes Alutanus, which once marked the eastern frontier of Roman Dacia
. Remains of these Roman castra
have been found in several villages, including those of Boiţa
, Câlineni, and Călimăneşti
. From the 14th to 18th century, several monasteries were built in the area. One of these, Turnul Monastery from the 17th century, even had cells that were carved into the cliffs by hermits from the 14th century Cozia Monastery
, which was known for its exterior frescoes. The Ostrov Hermitage, also in the area, dates from the 17th century, while the Cornet Hermitage was built during the 17th and 18th centuries. There are also two fortresses, dating from the 16th century, located in Turnu Rosu and Boita.
Defile (geography)
Defile is a geographic term for a narrow pass or gorge between mountains or hills. It has its origins as a military description of a pass through which troops can march only in a narrow column or with a narrow front...
that has been cut into the Transyvanian Alps
Transylvanian Mountains
Transylvanian Mountains is the general name of the mountain system that surrounds the Transylvanian highland or plateau on all four sides, and forms the southeastern and southern continuation of the kiskity mountains the mouths of the Vişeu River and the Golden Bistriţa River, where the Eastern or...
in south-central Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
by the Olt River
Olt River
The Olt River is a river in Romania. It is the longest river flowing exclusively through Romania. Its source is in the Hăşmaş Mountains of the eastern Carpathian Mountains, near the village Bălan. It flows through the Romanian counties Harghita, Covasna, Braşov, Sibiu, Vâlcea and Olt...
. In the Brezoi-Titesti Depression portion of the defile are located hot spring resorts. In the surrounding mountains grow Walnut and oak trees, wild roses, and white ivy. Transportation is provided by highways and railways between Râmnicu Vâlcea
Râmnicu Vâlcea
Râmnicu Vâlcea is the capital city of Vâlcea County, Romania .-Geography and climate:Râmnicu Vâlcea is situated in the central-south area of Romania...
and Sibiu
Sibiu
Sibiu is a city in Transylvania, Romania with a population of 154,548. Located some 282 km north-west of Bucharest, the city straddles the Cibin River, a tributary of the river Olt...
.
History
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
. This line of fortifications was known as the Limes Alutanus, which once marked the eastern frontier of Roman Dacia
Roman Dacia
The Roman province of Dacia on the Balkans included the modern Romanian regions of Transylvania, Banat and Oltenia, and temporarily Muntenia and southern Moldova, but not the nearby regions of Moesia...
. Remains of these Roman castra
Castra
The Latin word castra, with its singular castrum, was used by the ancient Romans to mean buildings or plots of land reserved to or constructed for use as a military defensive position. The word appears in both Oscan and Umbrian as well as in Latin. It may have descended from Indo-European to Italic...
have been found in several villages, including those of Boiţa
Boita
Boiţa is a commune in Sibiu County, Transylvania, Romania, at the foothills of the Cindrel Mountains, 22 km south of the county capital Sibiu, in the Mărginimea Sibiului ethnographic area, on the main road between Sibiu and the southern part of Romania, the National road 7/European route 81,...
, Câlineni, and Călimăneşti
Calimanesti
Călimănești, often known as Călimănești-Căciulata, is a town in Vâlcea County, southern Romania. It is situated in the historical region of Oltenia and the northern part of the county, on the traditional route connecting the region to Transylvania, and at the southern end of the Olt River valley...
. From the 14th to 18th century, several monasteries were built in the area. One of these, Turnul Monastery from the 17th century, even had cells that were carved into the cliffs by hermits from the 14th century Cozia Monastery
Cozia Monastery
Cozia Monastery, erected close to Călimănești by Mircea cel Bătrân in 1388 and housing his tomb, is one of the most valuable monuments of national medieval art and architecture in Romania....
, which was known for its exterior frescoes. The Ostrov Hermitage, also in the area, dates from the 17th century, while the Cornet Hermitage was built during the 17th and 18th centuries. There are also two fortresses, dating from the 16th century, located in Turnu Rosu and Boita.