Novaci

Novaci is a town in Gorj county, Oltenia, Romania, situated at the foothills of the Parâng Mountains, on the river Gilort.

The river traditionally divided the Oltenian settlement of Novacii Români from Novacii Străini, populated mainly by shepherds coming from over the mountains, from the Sibiu county in Transylvania. The differences in between the two segments of the town are obvious in the traditional vernacular architecture: the low fences of Oltenia are replaced by tall gates and hidden-away courtyards in the Novacii Străini.

The population has been steadily decreasing in the last couple of decades, mainly because of relocation of the young, educated population in bigger cities.