Folk craftsmen

Specifics of the area, architecture, traditions, customs, crafts

The area is famous for its pottery (Horezu pottery is on the UNESCO intangible heritage list).

The area is also known for its Oltenian carpets.

The raw silk from Stoenești occupies a special place, as we can find here the only business in the country where borangic is produced in the traditional way. From the orchard of mulberry trees, growing silkworms, the thread from which the silk cloth is woven is produced here, from which the traditional head dresses and Romanian blouses are made.

There are also other wooden handicrafts in the area, as well as carpenters and woodworkers, traditional garment and pastoral traditions, and traditional local products: fruit, jam, cheese, honey and other products derived from them.

The specific architecture of the area is based on wood and stone working, as these are the most convenient materials in the area of Oltenia de sub Munte. The houses built here have a porch in front under which there is usually a cellar. The foundation is built of stone with mortar, the walls are made of plastered wooden logs, the roofs are covered with shingles. The storerooms and animal shelters (stables, haylofts) are also made of wood.

Borangic Niculescu (Stoenești) - the only business in the country where the raw silk is traditionally produced - the thread is produced from the orchard of mulberry trees, growing silkworms, from which the borangic cloth is woven; the Romanian blouse and the traditional marquetry are made.

Ceramica Paloși (Horezu) - Ionică and Mihaela Paloși are the first ceramists from Horezu who established their workshop down in the town, at the national road, where the current commercial area was later developed. Ionică Paloși is also a teacher at the Popular School of Art in Rm. Vâlcea, an inventor and passionate collector.

Ceramics Mihai Bîscu (Olari) - Mihai Bîscu is a ceramist who preserves the ancient tradition of ceramics and also a passionate and patient teacher of the little ones in the mysteries of ceramics.

Pietraru Ceramics (Horezu) - the Pietraru family has its workshop in the commercial area of Horezu, easily recognizable by visitors by the jug shape of the building. In addition to carrying on the tradition of pottery, they are also passionate collectors of traditional objects.

Rodica Crăcană Weaving (Costești) - Rodica Crăcană carries on the tradition of weaving in loom and warp weaving of beautifully coloured oltenian rugs and carpets, through the traditional use of natural pigments for dyeing wool. She is also passionate about folklore, being active in the local folklore ensemble "Domnițele din Costești". (The Damsels of Costești).