Bălcești

Balcesti is a small town in the district of Vâlcea in Wallachia region of Romania.

Location

Balcesti is the Wallachian Plain, on the lower reaches of the river Oltet. The district capital Râmnicu Vâlcea is located about 65 km northeast.

History

The first mention of Balcesti dates back to 1574th Since the beginning of the 20th century the place was a local commercial and administrative center. 2002 Balcesti received the status of a city. The main industry is agriculture.

Population

As of the 2002 census, 5,780 inhabitants were counted in the city, including 5,616 Romanians and 159 Roma. Approximately 2,300 lived in Balcesti itself, the other in the eight incorporated villages.

Traffic

Balcesti has no rail connection. There are regular bus services to Râmnicu Vâlcea and Craiova. The city is located on the National Road 65C from Craiova to Rusăneşti.

Attractions

• Sf. Voievozi ( 1746 ) in the district Benesti
• Sf. Voievozi (1774 ) in the district Otetelişu
• Sf. Nicolae (1884 ) in the district Irimeşti

Born in Balcesti

• Petrache Poenaru (1799-1875), Romanian engineer and revolutionary who was born in what is now the district Benesti
• Florentin Smarandache (born 1954 ), Romanian - American artist and author