Happy TravellerWelcome to Pitești, a vibrant city located on the banks of the Argeș River in Romania. As the capital and largest city of Argeș County, Pitești is an important commercial and industrial center, as well as a hub for higher education with two universities. The city is situated in the historical region of Muntenia and is easily accessible via the A1 freeway, which connects it directly to the national capital Bucharest. Pitești is also an important railway junction, with a classification yard in nearby Bălilești.
Pitești has a rich history dating back to prehistoric times, with the earliest traces of human settlements in the area relating to the Paleolithic. The city developed as a trading town in northern Wallachia, serving as an informal residence for various Wallachian Princes until the 18th century. From the 19th century and until the interwar period, it was an important political center for the National Liberal Party and the main residence of the Brătianu family of politicians.
During the early stages of the communist regime, Pitești was one of the main sites of political repression, with the Pitești Prison becoming home to an experiment in brainwashing techniques. The program was carried out by the Securitate secret police and overseen by Alexandru Nicolschi; its goal was to psychologically destroy the capacity for outside attachment and outside loyalty, creating the brainwashed New Man prototype of Leninism. The program was canceled after some five years.
Today, Pitești is a bustling city with a thriving automotive industry, in particular, Automobile Dacia. The city also houses the Arpechim oil refinery and is an important marketing center for the industry. Visitors to Pitești can explore its rich history by visiting landmarks such as the Orthodox Saint George Church, completed in 1656, and the Pitești Town Hall, completed in 1886 and now housing an art gallery. The Argeș County Prefecture, designed by Dimitrie Maimarolu, was erected in 1898–1899 and is the present-day site of the County Museum of History and Natural Sciences.
Nature lovers can enjoy the Trivale Forest, which has been partly set up as a leisure park, and the nearby reservoirs on the Argeș, in its Prundu area and in nearby Bascov. Pitești is also adjacent to the piedmont plain known as Câmpia Piteștilor, characterized by water-meadows. The city has a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and mild winters, making it a great destination to visit year-round.
Come and discover the many treasures of Pitești, from its rich history to its thriving industry and natural beauty. This enchanting destination should be on every traveler’s bucket list.
