The town of Vălenii de Munte is located at an altitude of 430 m and represents an old Subcarpathian fair, being also an important center in the fruit-growing field.
Due to its strategic position at a confluence point of several valleys, with the mention of the Teleajen valley as an old trade road that connected Brașov with Wallachia, the city developed in a special natural setting. It is assumed that it was located on the old Roman road (Văleni-Drajna-Carașu-Slon-Vârful lui Craiu-Tabla Butii-Vama Buzăului-Brașov).
Documented since 1431, in an order of the ruler Dan II, as a "trade fair" and customs, Vălenii de Munte attracts visitors due to its favorable geographical position, peace and clean air, becoming a popular climatic and tourist center.
Historically, the city is associated with Nicolae Iorga, who in 1908 founded the Popular Summer University and was active in the period 1908-1914. In Vălenii de Munte, the university hosted courses attended by professors, teachers and culture lovers, attracting great Romanian scientists and foreign scientific personalities. Also, the School of Arts operated here, where the art of pottery and the manufacture of ceramics was taught.
In the apartment with a balcony where the distinguished scientist lived for three decades, the atmosphere and appearance of the period of his life is maintained.
This house, built in the 18th century by Colonel Panca, was purchased by Nicolae Iorga in 1910 from his descendants. It was recognized as an architectural monument.
Inside there are traditional furniture and objects used by the Romanian scientist, such as the office and library, family photos, documents, manuscripts, rare books, miniatures, tributes from foreign scientific institutions, various awards, a bust made by Oscar Han in 1923 and others; all these materials provide a suggestive image of the context in which N. Iorga carried out his activity.
Nicolae Iorga, a graduate of the Faculty of History in Iasi at the age of 19, continued his studies in Paris and Leipzig. At the age of 23, he became a professor of universal history at the University of Bucharest, where he devoted almost half a century. During his activity, he revitalized all aspects of Romanian historiography and contributed to the study of the history of Romanian literature, especially for the ancient period. He had international recognition, receiving the title of doctor honoris causa and being a member of some foreign academies. From 1903 he was involved in the management of the magazine "Semănătorul" and later launched "Neamul Românesc" from 1906. He had a diversified career in Romanian politics, from deputy and president of the Chamber, to minister and prime minister. His tragedy happened in 1940, when he was assassinated by legionary gangs in Strejnic, near Ploiesti.
His work, vast and impressive, includes over 800 volumes and 12,000 articles in several languages, addressing various topics such as Romanian history, economic, cultural, military, and universal history. The museum also preserves traces of his printing activity, producing hundreds and thousands of volumes, pamphlets and magazines.
A notable event in his life took place in Zürich, where he searched in an antique shop for the most important works on the history of the peoples of South-Eastern Europe, and the antiquarian offered him the "History of the Ottoman Empire", written by himself.
- I don't care, said the scientist.
Curious, the merchant proposed other works by the same author. Iorga rejected his offer, and in the face of this refusal, the antique dealer replied to the guest, feeling affected in his own love.
- I gave you everything I had. Don't you think you are offending me by your refusal?
Laughing merrily, Nicolae Iorga elucidated the origin of his confusion. The next day, in one of the antiquarian's windows, one could see in the foreground the scholar's works of great importance, personally signed by him.
Source: Bucharest-Brașov on variants (Ministry of Tourism, 1976)
