TARGU JIU

also spelled Trgu Jiu city, capital of Gorj judet (county), southwestern Romania, on the Jiu River. Formerly a Roman settlement, Trgu Jiu was the property of boyars until the 19th century. After World War II, the city developed rapidly from an agricultural market town into an industrial centre producing timber, clothing, cigarettes, and foodstuffs. It lies in the southern part of the Petrosani Depression, and there are open-cut coal-mining operations in the area and oil wells south of the city. The Jiu River valley was the scene of heavy fighting in World War I (especially in 1916) and World War II. The city park contains a monument to Romanian heroes of World War I by the sculptor Constantin Brncusi, who was born in Hobita village. The city also has a museum of Brncusi's artwork. Railway connections and highways extend through the city. Pop. (1992 prelim.) 98,267.