Runcu | |
|---|---|
)  Runcu Location in Romania | |
| Coordinates: 45°07′N 23°08′E / 45.117°N 23.133°E | |
| Country |  Romania |
| County | Gorj |
| Subdivisions | Bâlta, Bâltișoara, Dobrița, Răchiți, Runcu, Suseni, Valea Mare |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Adrian Câmpeanu (since 2004) |
| Population (2011)[1] | 5,311 |
| Time zone | EET/EEST (UTC+2/+3) |
| Postal code | 217390 |
| Vehicle reg. | GJ |
Runcu is a commune in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania. It is situated on the foot of Vâlcan Mountains, 17 km West 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 to deforest.[2] 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.[2] Runcu village was first mentioned in a document issued in 1486 by Vlad Călugărul.[3] 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.[4]
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.[5][6]
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.
Photo gallery
Runcu and the Jaleș river on a 1717 map
Palta (Bâlta), now part of Runcu commune on a Josephine Map (1769-1772)
Runcu old church right before its demolition in 1897.
Runcu Church built between 1897-1907.
Winter time in Runcu.
Memorial to World War I local heroes.
Wine cellar on a hillside near Runcu circa 1980.
Cornfield near Runcu with the Tufoaia mountain in the background.
Plesa peak as seen from atop of Cornetul mountain.
Runcu surroundings tourist map
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Photo gallery - Sohodol River Gorge
References
- ^ "Populaţia stabilă pe judeţe, municipii, oraşe şi localităti componenete la RPL_2011" (in Romanian). National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
- ^ a b "Data" (PDF). sas.unibuc.ro. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
- ^ V. Marinoiu, "O brățară medievală aflată în colecția Muzeului Județean Gorj", Gorjeanul, 20 Sept., 2013
- ^ Calotoiu, Dr Gheorghe (2010-05-25). "Cercetările arheologice de la Runcu-Gorj". Vertical. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
- ^ D. Mustățea, "Repertoriul Descoperirilor Arhelogice din Județul Gorj" Targu Jiu, 2012
- ^ "National Archaeological Record of Romania". ran.cimec.ro. Retrieved 2020-01-14.