Valeni – Watermelon Festival, Churches and Landscape

The “Sărbătoarea lubeniței” took place in Văleni. On 6 August 2024, it was held for the 20th time.

Festivals and Cuisine

Văleni was formerly known for growing watermelons. The “Târgul de Lubeniţe” symbolises the beginning of the watermelon harvest and the sale of the fruit at the market. The market activities include competitions in which the smallest and the largest ripe watermelon are awarded prizes. In this way, the festival connects the village’s agricultural background with a specific market event. For the 2026 edition of the “Sărbătoarea Lubeniței”, a performance by the folk dance ensemble “Vedea Văleni” was planned. Thus, in addition to the fruit, a local ensemble and the festival tradition are also part of the event’s cultural character.

Culture and History

The “Biserica Sfinții Împărați Constantin și Elena” church is located in Văleni. It was built between 1904 and 1924 by the boyar Constantin Colibaseanu. The annual Hram festival of this church takes place on 21 May and attracts thousands of pilgrims from the surrounding areas and from all over Romania.

The “Biserica Sf. Împăraţi” church in Văleni is a historic monument dating from 1895. Văleni was first mentioned in a document on 21 January 1536. The “Biserica Fântâneanu Stoicăneşti” church is located in the vicinity of Văleni.

The two church entries differ not only in their names: the “Biserica Sf. Împăraţi” is a historic monument dating from 1895, while the “Biserica Sfinții Împărați Constantin și Elena” was built between 1904 and 1924. The construction periods and the year of monument designation therefore fall into different periods of the village’s history. The documentary mention of Văleni on 21 January 1536 dates back even further.

Geographical Location

The municipality of Văleni lies in the west of the Boian Plain, along the upper course of the Vedea River. A circular route designated by the county leads from Slatina via Nicolae Titulescu, Văleni, Stoicăneşti and Drăgăneşti-Olt back to Slatina.

Surroundings

The “Fântâna Coandei” spring is located in the vicinity of Văleni. The “Dealul Coandei” hill is also situated nearby. The “Dealul La Stejar” hill is likewise located in the vicinity of Văleni. The spring and the hills are different landscape features in the immediate surroundings of the village.

The landscape sites mentioned include the “Fântâna Coandei” spring and the “Dealul Coandei” and “Dealul La Stejar” hills. Thus, the immediate surroundings include one spring and two named elevations.

The “Biserica Ortodoxă Bălăleşti” church is located in the wider regional surroundings of Văleni. The “Biserica Sfinţii Voievozi” church is also situated there. The “Fântâna Călmăţui” spring is likewise located in the wider regional surroundings of Văleni. In addition, there is the “Biserica Ortodoxă Vâlcelele de Sus” church. The wider surroundings therefore include both Orthodox churches and a spring, complementing the landscape sites located closer to Văleni.

The same higher-level area also includes Caracal, Slatina, Corabia, Scornicești and Bălteni.

To the higher-level travel overview: Olt.