What you can see in Târgu Jiu Beyond the Heroes Path Monumental COmplex
Târgu Jiu is the capital of Gorj County, located in southwestern Romania. Known as the city of Brâncuși for its world-famous architectural complex, consisting of the Endless Column, the Kissing Gate and the Table of Silence, Târgu Jiu offers a fascinating tourist experience, with interesting sights and activities. If you have several days to discover the city, there are many attractions nearby, but the city center and Brâncuși’s works can be visited in a single day. Târgu Jiu developed mainly on the left bank of the Jiu River, being first mentioned in 1406. Today, Târgu Jiu is a beautiful city, a budding tourist center, a base for visitors to the immense tourist heritage of the city, but also to the beauties of Gorj.
Brâncuși’s city, surrounded by the majestic silhouettes of the Carpathians and caressed by the waters of the Jiu, a place of peace and serenity. A cultural and artistic center, the town on the Jii can rightly be considered the “European capital of sculpture”, the only place in the world where the sky is eternally bound to the earth with a simple endless column, where love has become the leitmotif of visitors and a place of contemplation and meditation. Along the Heroes’ Path Axis, among old houses and buildings, through museums and parks, Târgu Jiu represents a unique and fascinating tourist destination, excellent for a cultural weekend getaway or for a week of relaxation.
How do I get to Târgu Jiu?
BY CAR – Târgu Jiu is located at the intersection of two important national roads, one of which is also a section of the European road E79, which comes from Oradea – Brad – Deva – Hațeg – Petroșani and after passing through the Jiu Gorge, reaches Târgu Jiu, continuing south through Filiași – Craiova – Calafat and crossing into Bulgaria at Vidin. This European road overlaps with the national road 66 (Simeria – Hațeg – Petroșani – Târgu Jiu – Filiasi). DN 67 (passes through Gorj County from northeast to southwest, coming from Râmnicu Vâlcea – Horezu, passes through Târgu Jiu and continues towards Motru and Drobeta Turnu Severin), being also the main route from Bucharest, following the A1 towards Pitești. The road from Bucharest is 300 km and takes approximately 4 hours.
BY TRAIN – A railway line from Filiași passes through Târgu Jiu and continues through the Jiu Gorge to Simeria, thus providing train connections to Bucharest, Craiova, Petroșani, Deva, Arad and other cities. A train journey from Bucharest takes just over 5 hours.
BY BUS – There are bus connections to the main cities of Romania. There are several daily services to Bucharest, Craiova, Timișoara and Cluj-Napoca (Militari bus station in Bucharest). A bus journey from Bucharest takes approximately 5 hours.
Search for Flights to Romania with Booking.com!
One Day in Târgu Jiu
Start the day with the most famous tourist attractions in Târgu Jiu and some of the most famous in Romania, the works of Constantin Brâncuși. Located along an axis that cuts the city in an east-west direction, known as the Heroes’ Path, the three main Brâncuși monuments can be visited in a few hours. The Table of Silence, the Alley of Chairs and the Gate of the Kiss are located in the Municipal Park, and the Column of Infinity in a park to the east, at the exit to Râmnicu Vâlcea. The Church of the Holy Apostles, which is part of the ensemble, is also located on the Heroes’ Path. Access is simple and quick from any point in the city.
The first monument of the ensemble in Târgu-Jiu, starting from the Jiu River, is the Table of Silence, a monument of contemplation and deep thought. The perfect symmetry and circularity that characterize the table and chairs offer a perfect balance that is extremely pleasing to the eye. The Heroes’ Path in Târgu-Jiu continues with the Alley of Chairs, shaded by tall lime trees and adorned with chairs arranged along it. Near the entrance to the municipal park is the Kiss Gate, the second monumental element of the ensemble. The supreme stylization of the kiss, a symbol of love, is what makes this gate a masterpiece of universal sculpture. There are hundreds of triumphal arches in cities around the world, but Brâncuși managed to bring the Gate of the Kiss to spiritual human proportions.
The Endless Column, also known by locals as the Infinity Column, is over 1 kilometer away from the other works in the municipal park, but it forms a unified ensemble thanks to Brâncuși’s artistic genius. As for the construction itself, it impresses with its proportionality and simplicity. The Endless Column is made up of 16 hourglass elements. The height of the Column is 29.33 meters, and the weight is approximately 29 tons. According to many critics, the shape of the Endless Column is inspired by Romanian folk architectural motifs, with columns carved in this way found in houses in Northern Oltenia. Mircea Eliade gave it a profound meaning, likening it to an axis mundi, a support for the celestial vault, a symbol present in many cultures around the world.
Search for Accommodation in Târgu Jiu on Booking.com!
On the way back to the city center, you can stop for a few minutes to admire the Church of the Holy Apostles, an integral part of the monumental complex. The construction of the current church began in September 1927 and lasted, with interruptions, until 1938. The church is built in the shape of a cross, and the painting was done by the Gorj painter Iosif Keber. Near the center, in a historic building on Geneva Street, you can spend an hour or two visiting the Gorj History Museum, which holds an interesting collection of exhibits and documents about the history of the county, in a very modern presentation. Each new room presents a visual and interactive exhibition of a historical period or an important event from the past of Gorj County.
Continuing with the visit of the city of Târgu Jiu, to reach the center, you can go along Tudor Vladimirescu Street, where you can admire the best preserved historical buildings, a true open-air museum that highlights the architectural style of the second half of the 19th century. Continuing along it, you reach the pedestrian center of the city, where you can first visit the Church of the Holy Voyvode, a very interesting historical and architectural monument. One of its most important features is the interior and exterior painting, made by the painter Mișu Popp from Brașov. It was restored later, between 1933-1940 and in 1980 by the painter from Gorj Iosif Keber. The portrait of the Virgin Mary inside and the series of exterior paintings are particularly impressive, where, in addition to the saints, the portraits of philosophers from antiquity are also painted. Also here, you can admire other interesting historical buildings and monuments, including the Administrative Palace, the City Hall, the Mausoleum of Ecaterina Teodoroiu, the Barbu Gănescu House (Brâncuși Museum) and others. In the evening, you can relax with a walk through the city center, through the Central Park and on the Jiu River waterfront.
Lodging Options in Târgu Jiu
Rating 9.8 from 153 reviews!
One of the newest and most elegant guesthouses in Targu Jiu, it offers large and comfortable rooms with all the necessary amenities, restaurant, spa center, indoor pool, sauna and more!
Rating 9.5 from 203 reviews!
Located right in the city center, in the pedestrian area, the guesthouse offers accommodation in superbly furnished and equipped rooms, also offering a restaurant, café and terrace!
Rating 9.2 from 469 reviews!
Located right across from Central Park where two of Constantin Brancusi’s works are located, the guesthouse offers modern rooms and a very good quality restaurant!
Recommended Restaurants in Târgu Jiu
Targu Jiu offers many excellent restaurant options for every taste or preference. You can enjoy both traditional dishes, including specialties from Gorj, as well as international menus. Although there are a large number of restaurants, the best can be found in the city center, several of which are recognized for their delicious cuisine, but also for their welcoming atmosphere. Recommendations for restaurants in Targu Jiu include:
- Antique Restaurant (Bd. C. Brancusi) – Restaurant located opposite the entrance to the Central Park, with a special menu and ambiance
- Casa Vera Restaurant (V.Alecsandri 51-53) – High-quality restaurant, with traditional and international dishes, pleasant atmosphere.
- Rais Restaurant (14 Ocombrie 76) – Modern restaurant with a special design, appreciated for its excellent menu, but also for its elegant ambiance.
- Ambasador Restaurant (Victoriei 110) – Restaurant, pizzeria, confectionery, terrace, all in one location that also offers live music sometimes.
- Anna Terrace (Paris 2 District) – The most popular outdoor destination in Targu Jiu, appreciated for its extremely tasty dishes.
- Hanul Domnesc (Victoriei 116) – Romanian restaurant, offering traditional dishes and a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Trips from Târgu Jiu
If you have more time to explore the area near Targu Jiu, there are extremely interesting destinations, unique travel experiences. Gorj is recognized as having a huge tourist potential, starting from the works of Constantin Brancusi in Targu Jiu and continuing with the spectacular attractions of nature, especially in the mountainous area in the north. The 3 most interesting destinations for one-day trips from Targu Jiu include:
Transalpina – The highest road in Romania starts from the town of Novaci in Gorj County, passing over the peaks of the Parang group of mountains, through landscapes of unique beauty. From Targu Jiu, you can reach Novaci in about 40 minutes, after which road 67C or Transalpina begins to climb sharply towards the Ranca resort. The real adventure begins after Ranca, the landscape becoming much wilder and extremely exciting. A delight for both drivers and those who admire the wide panoramas along its length, the Transalpina must be driven its entire length, all the way to Sebes, to understand its true appeal.
Gorj Caves and Gorges – Two of the most famous and beautiful caves in Romania can be visited in Gorj County, and the best part is that they are located 15 minutes from each other. If you want a complete adventure, first enter the Muierii Cave in Baia de Fier, then admire the unique landscape of the Oltet Gorges and visit the Polovragi Cave. In the western part of Gorj, the Sohodolului Gorges also offer a unique experience. There are also a multitude of options for nature escapades departing from Targu Jiu.
Monasteries of Gorj County – Some of the most beautiful and interesting monasteries in Romania can be found in Gorj County. A circuit of the most important ones can offer you unique experiences, discovering the history and spirituality of some enchanting places. Rivaling the monasteries in Valcea and Bucovina, the monasteries of Tismana, Lainici, Crasna and Polovragi also have the advantage of being located at the foot of the mountains, in destinations of particular beauty.