Băile Govora
Băile Govora (or just Govora) is a Romanian spa town in Vâlcea County, about 20 km (12 mi) south-west of Râmnicu Vâlcea and west of the Olt River, in the historical region of Oltenia. Notable features of the town (beside its mineral springs, recommended for a variety of ailments) include the Govora Abbey (built in the 15th century and consolidated by Matei Basarab and later by Constantin Brâncoveanu) and the nearby Dintr-un lemn Monastery (16th or 17th century; the legend of its origin was recorded by Paul of Aleppo).
Băile Govora | |
|---|---|
Town | |
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Coat of arms | |
Location in Vâlcea County | |
Băile Govora Location in Romania | |
| Coordinates: 45°4′48″N 24°10′47″E | |
| Country | Romania |
| County | Vâlcea |
| Government | |
| • Mayor (2020–2024) | Mihai Mateescu (PNL) |
| Area | 13.79 km2 (5.32 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 300 m (1,000 ft) |
| Population (2021-12-01) | 2,158 |
| • Density | 160/km2 (410/sq mi) |
| Time zone | EET/EEST (UTC+2/+3) |
| Postal code | 245200 |
| Area code | (+40) 02 50 |
| Vehicle reg. | VL |
| Website | www |
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1930 | 910 | — |
| 1948 | 1,156 | +27.0% |
| 1956 | 1,590 | +37.5% |
| 1966 | 2,189 | +37.7% |
| 1977 | 2,749 | +25.6% |
| 1992 | 3,023 | +10.0% |
| 2002 | 3,147 | +4.1% |
| 2011 | 2,353 | −25.2% |
| 2021 | 2,158 | −8.3% |
| Source: Census data | ||
Govora Abbey was the site where Matei Basarab introduced the first printing press in Wallachia – where the first written code of laws in Romanian was published, Pravila de la Govora, in 1640.
The town administers three villages: Curăturile, Gătejești, and Prajila.