Protected Areas Seminar

The Horezu Depression is located at the foot of the Capatânii Mountains and sub-Carpathian area. The area’s natural geographic environment consists of a mountainous area covering nearly two thirds of its surface, woods, pastures, hay fields and orchards. The Capatânii mountains offers the highest peaks such as Ursu (2 124 m) and Cosana (2 011 m). The region is criss-crossed with many brooks – Costesti, Bistrita, Bistricioara, Horezu, Râmesti, Luncavecior, Luncavat, Recea, Marita and Cerna. Most of these brooks cross the limestone streak at the southern end of the Capatânii mountains; in the Buila-Vânturarita massif, the water left its mark on the karst relief made of impressive gorges (Bistrita and Pietreni gorges - particularly wild) and caves (the Bat’s cave). The climate differs depending on the relief and altitude. The temperate and Mediterranean influenced climate of the valley contrasts with the high mountainous area’s snow that lasts over 180 days a year and offers an extended skiable domain such as Zmeuretu, Govora and Valeanu.

Horezu city was mentioned in an official document for the first time in the year 1487. it is situated in the center of the Horez Depression and it is well known as a very important (if not the most important) pottery center in Romania. It has 117 square km and a population of 6807 (in the year 2002). In the eastern vicinity of Horezu is located Costesti (5 km away). As Costesti it is not yet declared a city, we can refer to it as a community of four villages with a total surface of 100 square km and a total population of 3681 people (in 2005). Archeological evidence shows that the territory was inhabited 10.000 years ago, although it was first mentioned in a document from 1512.