Vrancea County

Description:

Geographical position

                Central-eastern Romania, outside the Carpathians Curvature, in the basin of Putna River.

NeIghbours

                On the north: Bacau County, on the east: Galati County, on the north-east: Vaslui County, on the south-east: Braila County, on the south-west: Buzau County, on the west: Covasna County.

Surface

                4,857 sq. km (respectively 2% of the country’s territory).

Population

                390,000 inhabitants.

Towns

                Focsani, county capital, with 100,000 inhabitants, at the foot of the Sub-Carpathian hills, in a low hilly region, on the bunks of the Milcov River. Other towns: Adjud, Marasesti, Odobesti, Panciu.

Relief

                Is varied, structured on three levels disposed from the east to the west (Vrancea Mountains with Gofu Peak of 1.785 m of sedimentary rocks, the Curvature Sub- Carpathic Hills – Magura Odobestilor of 1.001 m, the wide Sub-Carpathic Depression - Vrancea with terraces, the depressions bordered by hills, the low Siret Plain and Meadow).

Climate

                Is temperate continental, characteristic for plain, hill and mountain, with nont-uniform waterfalls, winds blowing from the north and the north-west, or mountain-valley winds with temperature inversions effects in Vrancea depression and fohn effects on the eastern slopes.

Watercourses

                Zabrauti, Putna (with its tributary, Zabala), Ramnicul, Milcovul and Siret Rivers.

Touristic Sights

Mountains

                Vrances Mountains (Gofu Peak of 1,785 m) form the Carpathians Curvature with long ridges (easily to climb), but also canyon-like always shadowy valleys.

Reservations and Natural Monuments

                ,,The Living Fire” at Andriesu de Jos, geological reservation on the Upper Milcov formed of emissions of natural gas springing from the earth crevices and going spontaneously up in flames of 30 - 50 cm (hard to see during the day).

                Forest from Dalhauti (15 km far from Focsani), reservation that includes old and large trees: beech, oak, ash trees.

                Cenaru Forest in Andriesul de Jos, forest reservation sheltering gigantic beeches, fir and yew trues.

                Preserve Reghiu Scruntaru (32 km far from Focsani), complex reservation looking in some parts like Medieval fortresses in ruins. It is impressive for its waterfalls, the rich flora and the beautiful landscape.

Historical Vestiges

                Traces of the Forest at Craciuna (near Focsani),mountain fortress (13th - 15th centuries, in 1489) fortified by Stephen the Great to assure an outpost in front of the Turkish incursions.

Religious Buildings

                Monastery Soveja (80 km far from Focsani) was built by Matei Basarab in 1645. The writer Alecu Russo was exiled here in 1846 where he discovered and transcribed the ballad “Miorita”.

                Monastery Mera (25 km far from Focsani) was built in 1705 by the Cantemir family (famous scholars and patriots). It resembles a lot the princely churches of Moldavia.

                Other Religious Buildings: Hermitage in DaIhauti (1464), historical monument, Monastery Vizantea (41 km far from Focsani) was built by the prince leremia Movila (1565- 1606), “The Birth of the Virgin” Church in Focsani was built in 1661 by the Wallachian prince, Grigore Ghica, Recea Monastery in Candesti (1685 - 1692), “Precista” Church from Focsani was built by Nicolae Mavrocordat (1709- 1716).

Cultural Buildings

•                 Union Museum in Focsani
  
•                 ,,Mos Ioan Roata”  Memorial House in Campuri (60 km far from Focsani)
•                 “Alexandru VIahuta” Memorial House in Dragosloveni (15 km far from Focsani)
•                 “Duiliu Zamfirescu” Memorial House in Focsani
•                 Museum of the Village in Petresti (7 km far from Focsani)

Monuments and Statues

•                 Heroes Mausoleum from Marasesti (20 km far from Focsani, on DN 2 - E 85)
  
•                 Heroes Mausoleum from Marasti (66 km far from Focsani)
•                 Union Obelisk in Focsani