This small Romanian city in Oltenia gained attention as a cybercrime hub in the 2000s. Beyond its digital infamy, it has active theatres, art spaces and a central pedestrian square.
Râmnicu Vâlcea sits along the Olt River at the foothills of the Southern Carpathians in south-central Romania. Walk through the city center to see the 19th-century St Paraskeva Church with its carved stone columns, visit the house where composer Anton Pann lived, or shop at the modern Cozia Mall with its distinctive glass dome. In 1848, the streets of Râmnicu Vâlcea became the first place where "Deșteaptă-te, române!", Romania's current national anthem, was performed in public.
Getting to Râmnicu Vâlcea
You can reach Râmnicu Vâlcea by taking national road DN7 (part of European route E81) or riding the train along the Olt River valley. The train line connects the city to Sibiu in the north and Piatra-Olt in the south. From Bucharest, drive three hours through mountain foothills and pass small villages where you'll see traditional Romanian houses with wooden gates.
City Layout and Architecture
The city underwent significant reconstruction in the 1980s. Architects added stone carvings and decorative arches to apartment buildings, drawing inspiration from the traditional Brâncovenesc style. Today, the glass dome of Cozia Mall marks the city center, surrounded by streets where you'll see both socialist-era apartment blocks and older Romanian houses with wooden balconies.
Religious Buildings
Several Orthodox churches dot the cityscape. At St Paraskeva's Church, look for the detailed stone carvings around the entrance and windows. Inside All Saints Church, you can examine well-preserved frescoes from the 18th century. The Râmnicu Vâlcea Cathedral's bell tower rises above the city center, and inside you'll find painted icons dating back to the 19th century.
Cultural Sites
The Anton Pann Memorial House contains the composer's original furniture, manuscripts, and personal items. Learn about his work on Romania's national anthem and his contributions to Romanian music. In the city museum, you can examine regional artifacts from Roman times, view paintings by Romanian artists, and read documents from when Râmnicu Vâlcea operated as a medieval market town.
Weather Through the Year
Summer days typically reach 30°C (86°F), with afternoon rain showers common in July and August. Plan your walking tours for spring or fall when temperatures stay around 20°C (68°F). Winter temperatures usually hover just above freezing, making Râmnicu Vâlcea one of Romania's warmer winter destinations.
