Our region contains six primary towns and cities (totaling approximately 170,000 inhabitants) located along the Jiu River basin and adjacent to Retezat National Park and other places of interest in our region of the Transylvanian Alps. [* Comuna]
Aninoasa
Bănița*
Lupeni
Petrila
Petroșani
Uricani
Vulcan
Nestled among the chain of Carpathian Mountains that cover one-third of Romania, Jiu Valley is the gateway to the Retezat National Park and other Carpathian destinations. Whether your interest is in Dacian or modern history, heritage sites, outdoor four-season adventure in the Transylvanian Alps, or coal mining, this portal is designed for you. ▶ Jiu Valley region ▶ Straja ▶ Parâng
Since 2001, the Jiu Valley Portal (JiuValley.com) is the home of the Official Jiu Valley City Websites and your gateway to the Transylvanian Alps and regional heritage sites. ▶ About JiuValley.com
In the late Cretaceous Period, following the Jurassic Period, Jiu Valley was part of Hațeg Island, a large offshore island in the Tethys Sea. Visit one of the world’s best preserved dinosaur heritage sites and paleontology dig sites and see the famous Hațeg Dwarf Dinosaurs.
▶ Hațeg Country Dinosaur Geopark
Directly to the north of Jiu Valley lie the ruins of the Dacian capital of Sarmizegetusa Regia and the fortresses built to protect the capital from the invading legions of Roman Emperor Trajan during the Dacian Wars (AD 101–102, 105–106). ▶ Dacian heritage
▶ Dacian Fortresses of the Orăștie Mountains
Momârlanii are a small community in Romania, a population said to be descended from Dacians who were located in the Jiu Valley. Their number is estimated to be somewhere between 10,000 and 20,000.
▶ Momârlanii
Coal mining has been an important aspect of Jiu Valley for the last 150 years, but the economic viability of its coal mines has decreased. Mine closures since 2000 have been accompanied by social disruption, high unemployment, strikes and protests. ▶ Coal mining – Jiu Valley ▶ Miners (Archives 1944-1989) ▶ Archives (Mineriada 1990-1999) ▶ Jiu Valley Coal Miners Union
Within and surrounding Jiu Valley are numerous historic and cultural heritage sites, including a number of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
▶ Historical Sites
The mountainous region surrounding Jiu Valley offer a diversity of outdoor adventures, from its well-known skiing in the winter to rock climbing, caving/spelunking, mountain biking and hiking, paragliding, river rafting, etc. ▶ Outdoor activities
The mountain ranges surrounding Jiu Valley (Retezat, Vâlcan, Surean, Parâng) are part of the Transylvanian Alps, also referred to as the Southern Carpathians (Romanian: Carpații Meridionali), a group of mountain ranges that divide central and southern Romania, on one side, and Serbia, on the other. ▶ Transylvanian Alps ▶ Parâng Mountains ▶ Retezat Mountains ▶ Retezat National Park ▶ Surean Mountains ▶ Vâlcan Mountains
The mountain ranges surrounding the Jiu Valley contain some of the most diverse plant and animal life in Europe. This is especially true of Retezat National Park and its protected 4,500 square acre UNESCO biosphere reserve area called "Gemenele". ▶ Flora & fauna
The mountains surrounding Jiu Valley are full of caves, from large well-known and more touristic developed caves like Bolii or Sura Mare to numerous local caves still being discovered and explored by local spelunkers. ▶ Caves
Online communities related to Jiu Valley (e.g., General interest, Sports/Recreation, Religion). * Inclusion of the above communities in this list are based on available information and does not represent endorsement of the Jiu Valley Portal. ▶ Online communities
This section provides current RSS news feeds related to Jiu Valley from both local, national and international sources. ▶ News & media
Foreign exchange and unit conversion tools. ▶ Currency and unit converters
This section features photographers (with an emphasis on talented young Romanians) that have captured the essence of the Vaii Jiului (Jiu Valley life) in their photographs. ▶ Photographers
This section includes links to various online multimedia galleries related to Jiu Valley, the mountains, sports, culture, history, coal mining, etc. Please contact us if you have suggestions of other galleries that might be included in our listing. ▶ Galleries
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