Defileul Oltului

Defileul Oltului is the longest mountain gorge in Romania, stretching 47 km between the town of Turnu Roșu (Sibiu County) and Călimănești (Vâlcea County). The Olt River cuts transversally through the Southern Carpathians here, successively crossing the ridges of the Munții Făgăraș, Lotrului, Căpățânii and Masivul Cozia through Precambrian crystalline metamorphic rocks. The difference in elevation between the valley floor and the surrounding peaks exceeds several hundred metres, and in the southern sector — known as Defileul Coziei (18 km, between Brezoi and Călimănești) — the slopes are particularly steep and dramatic. The gorge has been one of the most important Carpathian crossing routes since antiquity. The Romans used it as a military and commercial route between Dacia and the Danube, and traces of the ancient Roman road are still visible in places along the left bank of the Olt. In the eighteenth century, the Via Carolina — the Austrian imperial road and forerunner of the present-day DN7/E81 highway — was built along the right bank. The area contains a remarkable concentration of tourist attractions. Parcul Național Cozia (17,100 ha) overlaps the southern sector of the gorge, protecting forest ecosystems and mountain wildlife — brown bear, wolf, lynx and chamois. At km 57 of the gorge stands Mănăstirea Cozia, founded by Mircea cel Bătrân in 1388 and one of the most important medieval monuments in Muntenia. Near the monastery lie Schitul Turnu and the ruins of Schitul Cozia Veche, founded by Radu I, father of Mircea. On an islet of the Călimănești reservoir stands Schitul Ostrov, founded by Neagoe Basarab in 1520. At the exit of the gorge, the resorts of Călimănești and Căciulata are known for their mineral waters used in the treatment of hepato-biliary, renal and rheumatic conditions. Access is via DN7/E81, with a parallel railway line running along the left bank of the Olt.