national park
Retezat National Park
Romania's oldest national park with over 80 glacial lakes, ancient forests, and some of the wildest mountain scenery in the Carpathians.
31 km · about 35 min drive
Gorj County, Romania · Europe
Valea Mare sits on the route: 10 minutes from Runcu, 31km from Retezat National Park.
Valea Mare is a town located in Gorj County, Romania. With a population of 1,010, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Valea Mare sits in Romania, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Bucharest time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Valea Mare to your route.
Runcu is a commune in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania. It is situated at the foot of the Vâlcan Mountains, 16 km (10 mi) northwest of Târgu Jiu. The commune is composed of seven villages: Bâlta, Bâltișoara, Dobrița, Răchiți, Runcu, Suseni, and Valea Mare.
The name Runcu derives from medio-Latin "runcari" which means toRead more
deforest. A village on the Jaleș River named Dăbăcești (now disappeared) mentioned in a document of Dan I dated 3 Octombrie 1385 was the precursor of Runcu. Runcu village was first mentioned in a document issued in 1486 by Vlad Călugărul. The dominant class of Wallachia maintained interests in the area during most of the Middle Ages. According to some sources, the local church was founded in the early 17th century by Domnița Florica, daughter of Michael the Brave, who sought refuge in Runcu after the death of her father.
Stone and Bronze Age archaeological finds, as well as artifacts from before the Roman conquest, indicate that Runcu and the surrounding areas were inhabited much earlier.
Runcu is the birthplace of folk music singers Ioana Zlătaru and Maria Apostol (1954–1993).
Scenes from the Romanian films Bătălia din umbră (1986), Iancu Jianu, haiducul (1981), Iancu Jianu, zapciul (1980) and Ecaterina Teodoroiu (1979) were shot in Runcu village and on the nearby Sohodol Gorge.
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Valea Mare offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Valea Mare is located in Gorj County, Romania, Europe. The coordinates are 45.1126 latitude, 23.0800 longitude.
Valea Mare has a population of approximately 1,010 people, making it a town in Romania.
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Essential numbers in Romania
Rovinieta (road tax sticker) required for all national roads.
Full driving guide for Romania3 notable places within an hour's drive.
national park
Romania's oldest national park with over 80 glacial lakes, ancient forests, and some of the wildest mountain scenery in the Carpathians.
31 km · about 35 min drive
mountain pass
Romania's highest road reaching 2145m, even more remote and dramatic than its famous neighbor the Transfăgărășan, crossing wild Carpathian landscapes.
55 km · about 65 min drive
ancient ruins
UNESCO-listed capital of the Dacian kingdom in the Orastie mountains, with a circular stone sanctuary and paved sacred road.
59 km · about 70 min drive
Other places to explore near Valea Mare.
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