Câmpulung

Câmpulung [ kɨmpuluŋɡ ] ( German Langenau ) is a city in Romania which is located in Arges county (north of Wallachia ) and in 2007 had about 37,500 inhabitants. Unofficially, the city is on the region surrounding it sometimes called Câmpulung - Muscel, to distinguish it from other places of the same name.

Geographical location

The city is situated along a secluded hills south of the Carpathian peaks, at the beginning of a long, beautiful and wooded main valley of the river Târgului, a tributary of the Arges, at an altitude of about 600 m. The pure air and the landscape shape make Câmpulung a popular summer tourist destination.

An important transport link runs through the 36 km northern Bran Pass to Transylvania. From Câmpulung lead branches south to Pitesti and Targoviste.

History

At the foundation of the city Transylvanian Saxon settlers have played a crucial role. They called the city Langenau (Latin campus Longus ). The Transylvanian Saxon community was able to hold until the end of the 17th century. The Catholic Church ( Bărăţia ) from the 13th century was built by them. Câmpulung was the first capital of the medieval Principality of Wallachia, Curtea de Arges, followed by the 14th century in the 13th century. In the city there are more than 20 churches. Furthermore you will find a monastery and a cathedral, both of which were founded by Radu I, the first prince of Wallachia in the 13th century.

Sons and daughters of the town

• Dumitru Mirea, sculptor