Târgu Jiu
Encyclopedia
Târgu 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 villages are administered by the city: Bârseşti, Drăgoeni, Iezureni, Polata, Preajba Mare, Româneşti
, Slobozia and Ursaţi.
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 Târgu Jiu - Rovinari
railroad, mosaics, coins, ceramics and Roman
bricks were found in the south-eastern part of the city. This and ancient testimonies support the idea that Târgu 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 Béla IV of Hungary (1235–1270) 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 (1272–1290) 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 Brâncuşi
, 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 Târgu Jiu: The Table of Silence, The Gate of the Kiss, Chairs' Alley 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 Brâncuşi'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
, brick
s and tile
s).
In 1992, a university was founded and named after Brâncuşi.
'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.
According to 2002 population census, from the total of 104.596 people : 96,79% are Romanians
(93.546 people), 3,01% Gypsies or Roma people (2.916 people) and 0,20% others.
As of January 1, 2009, 95,669 inhabitants live within the city limits.
has three art works exposed in the city of Targu Jiu:
The universities are:
, Italy
Lauchhammer
, Germany
Yambol
, Bulgaria
Pendik
, Turkey
who owns the stadium Stadionul Municipal (Târgu Jiu).
Also, the city has one team in Divizia A (Baschet Masculin) , CS Energia Rovinari and one handball team in the first division, HC Lignitul Energia Pandurii Târgu Jiu.
Capital City
Capital City was a television show produced by Euston Films which focused on the lives of investment bankers in London living and working on the corporate trading floor for the fictional international bank Shane-Longman....
of Gorj County
Gorj County
Gorj is a county of Romania, in Oltenia, with its capital city at Târgu Jiu.- Demographics :In 2002, it had a population of 387,308 and its population density was 69/km².* Romanians – over 98%* Rromas, others.- Geography :...
, Oltenia
Oltenia
Oltenia is a historical province and geographical region of Romania, in western Wallachia. It is situated between the Danube, the Southern Carpathians and the Olt river ....
, 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...
. It is situated on the Southern Sub-Carpathians, on the banks of the river Jiu
Jiu River
Jiu is a river of southern Romania. It is formed near Petroşani by the junction of headwaters Jiul de Vest and Jiul de Est.It flows southward through the Romanian counties Hunedoara, Gorj and Dolj before flowing into the Danube a few kilometers upstream from the Bulgarian city of Oryahovo, 331...
. Eight villages are administered by the city: Bârseşti, Drăgoeni, Iezureni, Polata, Preajba Mare, Româneşti
Româneşti
Româneşti or Romaneşti may refer to several places in Romania:* Româneşti, a commune in Botoşani County* Româneşti, a commune in Iaşi County* Româneşti, a village in Bereşti-Tazlău Commune, Bacău County...
, Slobozia and Ursaţi.
History
The city takes its name from the river "Jiu", which runs through it. In antiquity, there was a DacianDacians
The Dacians were an Indo-European people, very close or part of the Thracians. Dacians were the ancient inhabitants of Dacia...
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 Târgu Jiu - Rovinari
Rovinari
Rovinari is a town in Gorj County, southern Romania with a population of 12,603 . It is a mining city, nearby to surface and underground mines. A big thermo-electrical power plant functions close to the town....
railroad, mosaics, coins, ceramics and Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
bricks were found in the south-eastern part of the city. This and ancient testimonies support the idea that Târgu Jiu was a commercial town (a vicus) while under the Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
's rule. A very important route that connects the Danube to Transylvania
Transylvania
Transylvania is a historical region in the central part of Romania. Bounded on the east and south by the Carpathian mountain range, historical Transylvania extended in the west to the Apuseni Mountains; however, the term sometimes encompasses not only Transylvania proper, but also the historical...
runs through the city, so historians believe that part of the Roman Army under Trajan
Trajan
Trajan , was Roman Emperor from 98 to 117 AD. Born into a non-patrician family in the province of Hispania Baetica, in Spain Trajan rose to prominence during the reign of emperor Domitian. Serving as a legatus legionis in Hispania Tarraconensis, in Spain, in 89 Trajan supported the emperor against...
'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
Oltenia
Oltenia is a historical province and geographical region of Romania, in western Wallachia. It is situated between the Danube, the Southern Carpathians and the Olt river ....
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
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....
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
Litovoi
Litovoi, also Litvoy, was a Vlach voivode in the 13th century whose territory comprised northern Oltenia .He is mentioned for the first time in a diploma issued by king Béla IV of Hungary on 2 July 1247...
's rule, a Vlach
Vlachs
Vlach is a blanket term covering several modern Latin peoples descending from the Latinised population in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. English variations on the name include: Walla, Wlachs, Wallachs, Vlahs, Olahs or Ulahs...
(Romanian
Romanians
The Romanians are an ethnic group native to Romania, who speak Romanian; they are the majority inhabitants of Romania....
) voivode in the 13th century whose territory comprised northern Oltenia. He is mentioned for the first time in a diploma issued by king Béla IV of Hungary (1235–1270) 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 (1272–1290) 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 Brâncuşi
Constantin Brancusi
Constantin Brâncuşi was a Romanian-born sculptor who made his career in France. As a child he displayed an aptitude for carving wooden farm tools. Formal studies took him first to Bucharest, then to Munich, then to the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris...
, 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 Târgu Jiu: The Table of Silence, The Gate of the Kiss, Chairs' Alley 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 Brâncuşi'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
Cement
In the most general sense of the word, a cement is a binder, a substance that sets and hardens independently, and can bind other materials together. The word "cement" traces to the Romans, who used the term opus caementicium to describe masonry resembling modern concrete that was made from crushed...
, brick
Brick
A brick is a block of ceramic material used in masonry construction, usually laid using various kinds of mortar. It has been regarded as one of the longest lasting and strongest building materials used throughout history.-History:...
s and tile
Tile
A tile is a manufactured piece of hard-wearing material such as ceramic, stone, metal, or even glass. Tiles are generally used for covering roofs, floors, walls, showers, or other objects such as tabletops...
s).
In 1992, a university was founded and named after Brâncuşi.
Coat of arms
The Coat of Arms of Târgu Jiu consists of a Shield with seven towers. In the centre of the Shield lies the representation of Constantin BrâncuşiConstantin Brancusi
Constantin Brâncuşi was a Romanian-born sculptor who made his career in France. As a child he displayed an aptitude for carving wooden farm tools. Formal studies took him first to Bucharest, then to Munich, then to the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris...
'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
Oltenia
Oltenia is a historical province and geographical region of Romania, in western Wallachia. It is situated between the Danube, the Southern Carpathians and the Olt river ....
, 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.
Neighbourhoods
- 9 Mai the biggest, including:
- 23 August
- Lido
- Turn
- Diana
- Minerilor
- Abator
- Alexandru Ioan Cuza
- Zona Piata Mica
- Victoriei 2
- Gară
- Victoriei
- Centru
- Unirii
- Zona Piata Mare
- Grivitei
- 1 Mai Vest
- Debarcader
- CAM
- ACH
- Meteor
- Primaverii
- Dragoieni
- Romanesti
- Luncilor
- Bicaz
- Barsesti-Slobozia
- Vadeni
- Artego
Population
- 1889: 4,076
- 1900: 6,634
- 1940: 26,634
- 2002: 96,641 (census data)
According to 2002 population census, from the total of 104.596 people : 96,79% are Romanians
Romanians
The Romanians are an ethnic group native to Romania, who speak Romanian; they are the majority inhabitants of Romania....
(93.546 people), 3,01% Gypsies or Roma people (2.916 people) and 0,20% others.
As of January 1, 2009, 95,669 inhabitants live within the city limits.
Transport
- The public transport system of Târgu Jiu consists of 2 trolleybusTrolleybusA trolleybus is an electric bus that draws its electricity from overhead wires using spring-loaded trolley poles. Two wires and poles are required to complete the electrical circuit...
lines and 8 bus lines. It is operated by S.C. Transloc. S.A. A ticket for one trip costs around 0.3€. - The main railway station is situated on Nicolae Titulescu Blvd. It was built within the last 25 years.
- The city's road network consists of five boulevards (Blvd. Constantin Brancusi, Blvd. Nicolae Titulescu, Blvd. Republicii, Blvd. Ecaterina Teodoroiu, Blvd. Unirii). The main street of the city is Calea Victoriei (Street of the Victory). The largest boulevard in Târgu Jiu is Blvd. Ecaterina Teodoroiu.
- Târgu Jiu is crossed by many important roads, such as E 79 and DN 67.
Culture
Constantin BrâncuşiConstantin Brancusi
Constantin Brâncuşi was a Romanian-born sculptor who made his career in France. As a child he displayed an aptitude for carving wooden farm tools. Formal studies took him first to Bucharest, then to Munich, then to the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris...
has three art works exposed in the city of Targu Jiu:
- The Endless Column
- The Table of Silence
- The Kiss Gate
Education
Main high schools are:- Scholar Group Energetic Nr. 1"
- National College "Ecaterina Teodoroiu"
- National College "Tudor Vladimirescu"
- National College "Spiru Haret"
- Colegiul General "Gheorghe Magheru"
- Colegiul Comercial "Virgil Madgearu"
The universities are:
- Constantin Brâncuşi UniversityConstantin Brâncuşi UniversityConstantin Brâncuşi University is a university in the city of Târgu Jiu, Romania. It was established in 1990 and has five faculties and three additional departments...
- Spiru Haret UniversitySpiru Haret UniversityThe Spiru Haret University is a private university in Bucharest, Romania, founded in 1991 by the president of Tomorrow's Romania Foundation, Aurelian Gh. Bondrea, as part of the teaching activities of this foundation. The university claims this has been done according to the model used by the...
Twin cities
NociNoci
Noci is a city and comune in the province of Bari in the region of Puglia, Italy. It has about twenty thousand inhabitants. On a West to east line it is located between Gioia del Colle and Alberobello. Most buildings in the town are built in a traditional style and all of the buildings are packed...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
Lauchhammer
Lauchhammer
Lauchhammer is a town in the Oberspreewald-Lausitz district, in southern Brandenburg, Germany. It is situated on the river Schwarze Elster, approx. 17 km west of Senftenberg, and 50 km north of Dresden....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Yambol
Yambol
Yambol is a city in southeastern Bulgaria, an administrative centre of Yambol Province. It lies on both banks of the Tundzha river in the historical region of Thrace. As of February 2011, the town has a population of 72,843 inhabitants. It is occasionally spelt 'Jambol'.The administrative centres...
, Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
Pendik
Pendik
Pendik is a district of Istanbul, Turkey on the Asian side between Kartal and Tuzla, on the Marmara Sea. Its population is 625.365 and its mayor is Salih Kenan Şahin .-History:...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
Sports
The main soccer team of the city is Pandurii Târgu-JiuPandurii Târgu-Jiu
Pandurii Târgu Jiu is a Romanian professional football club from Târgu Jiu, Gorj county. Its colours are blue and white and its home field is Tudor Vladimirescu Stadium in Târgu Jiu.- Current squad :As of 23 July 2011...
who owns the stadium Stadionul Municipal (Târgu Jiu).
Also, the city has one team in Divizia A (Baschet Masculin) , CS Energia Rovinari and one handball team in the first division, HC Lignitul Energia Pandurii Târgu Jiu.