Oltenia (Lesser Wallachia, in some older sources) is a historical province and geographical region of Romania, in western Wallachia. It is situated between the Danube to the south, the Southern Carpathians to the north and west, and the Olt river to the east.
There are two entire counties in Oltenia and parts of varying sizes of four other counties. Craiova is the most important city in the region and the historic seat of government of the region. Other important cities of Oltenia are Râmnicu Vâlcea, Drobeta-Turnu Severin, Târgu Jiu and Slatina.
Major points of interest for tourists include:
- The Danube Cauldrons (Cazanele Dunării), a narrow gorge where the rapid flow of water can cause deep currents to rapidly rise to the surface, causing the water to seem as though it is boiling in a cauldron. The region is also rich in ancient Roman and Dacian ruins including those of the bridge built by Apollodorus of Damascus.
- The Horezu Monastery in Horezu, Vâlcea County, a World Heritage Site and architectural masterpiece of the “Brâncovenesc style”. The town of Horezu is also famed for its painted pottery.
- The Constantin Brâncuşi Sculptural Ensemble în Târgu Jiu, a collection of large sculptures by the world acclaimed artist. The sculptures include The Table of Silence, The Gate of the Kiss, Chairs’ Alley and, most famous of all, The Endless Column.
- The ruins of Severin Castle (Cetatea Severinului) in Drobeta-Turna Severin, which served as gateway between Western and Eastern Europe for three centuries untile 1524 when it was destroyed by attacking Turks.
- The Polovragi Cave, near Horezu and Baia de Fier, one of the longest and most beautiful caves in Romania, of which 11 kilometers have been mapped so far; only the first 800 meters are open to tourists.
- The spa towns of Govora, Olăneşti and Călimăneşti-Căciulata, which offer treatments for various ailments based on the waters of local thermal/mineral springs.
