Targu Jiu Travel Guide, Romania

Targu Jiu, Travel guide – Location

The city is located in the centre of Gorj County, near Satu Mare and Timisoara and on the same parallel with other important European cities like Bordeaux, France and Torino, Italy.

Targu Jiu, Travel guide – Geography

Targu Jiu is set in the Targu-Jiu- Campu Mare Basin and surrounded by medium sized hills at an average elevation of 205m. The general landscape is that of an undulating surface with large areas of plain alternating with low hills. The land is very fertile due to the presence of Jiu River and perfect for cultivating all kinds of plant and tree species. The general climate is temperate continental with four seasons and an average annual temperature of 10ºC. Summers here are hot with scarce rainfalls and winters quite harsh with important snowfalls. The wind is also present especially on the Jiu Valley bringing cold air from the mountains.

The hydrographic network is mainly represented by the Jiu River which forms a little island on its course within the city, very popular for leisure activities.

Targu Jiu, Travel guide – Flora and Fauna

The local flora is rich and in the plain area mainly comprising species of medicinal herbs. The Margaritar Forest which is made of species of oak, ash and field maple also houses numerous snowdrops, lady’s delight and other spring flowers as well as rare species of tulip called Fritillaria meleagris. The forests’ fauna is made up of hares, nightingales, squirrels and was recently populated with pheasants offering an additional charm to the entire area. The Margaritar Forest is about to be named a monument of nature in order to preserve and protect the fauna and flora within it.

Targu Jiu, Travel guide – Transports

Targu Jiu travel guides point out that the city has good transport connections with all main cities in the country being crossed by an important national road DN67 and railroad. Tourists can reach the city by railway, bus or air, the nearest airport is 90 km away in Sibiu, the Sibiu International Airport. The airport offers direct flights to almost all important European cities through different international and national airlines. Within the city tourists can choose the public transport system to visit the local attractions because it offers good connections between different parts of the town and low costs.

Targu Jiu, Travel guide – Population and Economy

Targu-Jiu has a population of 98.000 inhabitants among which 91.000 are Romanians, 2100 Roma and the rest are Hungarians, Germans and other nationalities. The dominant religion is the Christian Orthodox followed by the Roman-Catholic one and Pentecostal. Most of the locals work in the local heavy industry, electric power industry and food industry. Agriculture is not very present, small areas of land are cultivated, mainly with fruit trees, vines and cereals.

The city is also an important educational centre offering a public university, the “Constantin Brancusi” University and a private one, the “Spiru Haret” Univeristy, three national colleges, a commercial college, a scholar group and several kindergartens.

Targu Jiu, Travel guide – Cuisine

Local cuisine is famous for its dishes cooked in ceramic pots, offering food a great and unique taste. The main ingredients are the fresh vegetables, fish, chicken, cow and pork meat, diary products and traditional cheese. Only here you can taste a delicious leek or dock soup, chicken and vegetables soup and more.

If we made an Travel guide of the most popular dishes served in Targu Jiu the most popular would be the chicken stew with polenta, stuffed tomatoes with meat or rice, saramura de peste which is a stew made with fish and vegetables and the famous oltenian sausages. These sausages are made with equal parts of beef and pork meat, mixed with garlic, pepper and salt and stuffed in sheep intestines. Afterwards the sausages are smoked for about two hours and stored in a cool and dry place. Horseradish is also very popular accompanying many meat based dishes like the beef stew usually served with vegetables and horseradish. Almost every meal starts with a strong alcoholic drink called tuica, usually made from fruits, or local wine.