Projects

We activate future leaders for the protection of Nature – The project is carried out by Propark Foundation for Protected Areas in partnership with RNP-Romsilva Defileul Jiului National Park Administration, RNP-Romsilva Piatra Craiului National Park Administration, RNP-Romsilva Lunca Mureșului Natural Park Administration, RNP-Romsilva Grădiștea Muncelului Cioclovina Natural Park Administration, RNP-Romsilva Putna Vrancea Natural Park Administration and benefit from a funding of 255,011 euros, through the Active Citizens Fund Romania program, financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA Grants 2014-2021. More details about the project, https://viitorlideri.propark.ro/.

Technological transfer in the bioeconomic conservation of biodiversity – Project financed by the University of Oradea through an INO research grant – Transfer – UO – Edition II (scientific research budget), coordinating manager Petruş Adriana. The project will take place in partnership with RNP-Romsilva Defileul Jiului National Park Administration.

Lainici Monastery

Lainici Monastery is one of the most important historical monuments within the radius of Bumbești. Its name is given by the name of the pass in which it is located.
The monastery was built between 1812-1818, during the reign of Gheorghe Caragea. Tudor Vladimirescu hid in the Lainici Monastery in 1817, dressed in monk’s clothes, to escape the pursuit of the Turks, against whom he had fought in the Russo-Turkish war of 1806-1812.
The new church in Lainici has a unique architectural project in our country.
In the painting of the church above, the most important moments in the history of the Christian church will be marked, with the most representative Saints from all over the world and from all times.”
After 1947, the construction of the Bumbeşti-Livezeni railway and the modernization of the National Road began again, which affected the monastery.
In 1961, the Monastery was abolished as a place of worship, remaining with the title of “guest house”. Until 1970, the church doors were locked, not allowing services to be held except on some Sundays and religious holidays.
The new church, dedicated to the Healing Spring, was built after 1990, architecturally the church is a Greek cross. The porch has columns carved in Vistea stone. The pronaos is separated from the naos by 4 marble-clad columns. The nave has 2 pews and 2 iconostases, the one on the right for the icon of the day and the one on the left for the icon of the patron saint of the church.
Currently, the Lainici Monastery is the most visited objective in Defileul Jiului National Park, annually attracting over 10,000 thousand pilgrims and passers-by. Of these, only a few dozen remain to enjoy the peace and wilderness of the area.

Jiu River

Jiu River is a tributary of the first order of the Danube and joins with it 692 km upstream from the river’s discharge into the Black Sea. The hydrological network is formed by the approximately 30 km sector of the Jiul between the confluence of the East Jiul with the West Jiul and the confluence with the Sadu Creek, towards which all the related streams converge, namely: Leurzoaia, Runcu, Alunu, Bratcu, Repede, Tarniţa, Popii, Pate Rău, Cerbănaşu Mare, Cerbănaşu Mic, Dumitra, Murga Mare, Murga Mică, Ploştina Murgilor, Strâmbuţa and Liliacului on the western slope and Trântor, Ursului, Chitu, Cerbului, Alb, Ciobănaşului and the lower sector of Polatişta on the eastern slope. Other smaller tributaries and secondary tributaries of the mentioned streams are added to them. In total, the hydrological network greatly exceeds the length of 300 km. Most large streams have permanent flow, but with notable seasonal fluctuations. It is formed by the union of two main tributaries: the Western Jiul that springs from the Retezat Mountains and the Eastern Jiul that springs from the southern slope of the Șureanu Mountains, at altitudes of around 1500m.
The Jiului gorge is considered by connoisseurs as the most spectacular and impressive gorge in the country, with steep slopes, narrow and wild valleys, at the same time opening a migration corridor for animals. Beyond the magnificence of the relief, the Jiului Gorge offers us opportunities to spend our free time, be it a short visit or for several days, being highly sought after for outdoor activities, namely rafting, bird watching and recreational fishing. Rafting can be practiced individually or through specialized operators.
On the banks of the Jiu River, there is also the campsite provided by the park administration, a picturesque and easy-to-visit location. The place is equipped with specific furniture, it has a fireplace.

Murga Waterfall

Parking equipped with a rest table located on DN66 after Pietrele Albe, on the way to Bumbești-Jiu, where you “benefit” from the quietness of the Murgii waters and you will find a panel with a fabulous incident from the First World War in these lands. The place is easy to identify on online maps.

History and culture in Defileul Jiului

If you are passionate, we welcome you to contact us to accompany you to places with a special charge, in the heart of the forest and mountains. You will witness the places where fierce battles were fought for the defense of the ancestral territory, discovering the trenches still preserved in perfect condition or you will transpose yourself into moments of life of our ancestors, from recent times, stopping at the mansions of the community, mansions that represent ornaments traditional architecture. You will surely feel the silence but also the voice of nature, an aspect that each of us is looking for at different moments of life.

Park Director

Chief Accountant