Poarta Sărutului

4.7(11,757 reviews)Calea Eroilor, 210007 Târgu Jiu, România

The Gate of the Kiss is one of the three pieces of the Brâncuși ensemble at Târgu Jiu and perhaps the most charged with symbolism. Carved from Banpotoc stone, the massive gate marks the entrance to the Public Garden and is covered with the repeated motif of two joined half-circles, an extreme stylisation of the embrace and the kiss, a recurring theme in Constantin Brâncuși's work. Through it runs the monumental axis linking the Table of Silence to the Endless Column, conceived by the artist as a path of sacrifice and communion, in memory of the heroes of the First World War.

Its geometric simplicity and power of suggestion make the gate a lesson in modern art, admired by visitors from around the world. It stands right in the centre, in a pleasant park for strolling, and can be visited freely at any time. Take time to walk the whole axis on foot, to grasp the idea of the ensemble as Brâncuși conceived it.

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Frequently asked questions

Where is Poarta Sărutului?+

Poarta Sărutului is located at Calea Eroilor, 210007 Târgu Jiu, România, in Târgu Jiu.

Is Poarta Sărutului worth visiting?+

Yes — it holds a 4.7/5 rating from 11,757 visitor reviews.

Do I need to book tickets for Poarta Sărutului?+

Popular sights can sell out — booking ahead online saves queuing.

What else is near Poarta Sărutului?+

Nearby you'll find Coloana Infinitului, Mănăstirea Tismana, Masa Tăcerii.

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Landmark

Coloana Infinitului

The Endless Column is Constantin Brâncuși's masterpiece and the centrepiece of the monumental ensemble at Târgu Jiu, raised in 1938 in memory of the heroes of the First World War. Nearly 30 metres tall, the column is made of stacked cast-iron rhomboidal modules that seem to repeat endlessly towards the sky, evoking the idea of infinity and boundless sacrifice. Together with the Gate of the Kiss and the Table of Silence, on the same axis crossing the city, the column forms one of the world's most important ensembles of modern art, proposed for UNESCO listing. The simplicity of its form and the rigour of its execution made it a symbol of Romanian art and a landmark of 20th-century sculpture. It is a place of pilgrimage for art lovers from around the world. The visit is free, in the open air, and possible any time; it looks best in the warm light of morning or evening.

4.7(12,407 reviews)

Monastery

Mănăstirea Tismana

Tismana Monastery is the oldest monastery in Wallachia, set in Gorj county, near Targu Jiu, in a spectacular natural setting in the Valcan Mountains. Founded in the fourteenth century by Saint Nicodim of Tismana, the founder of organised monasticism in Oltenia, the monastery rises on a high rock, at the foot of which a mountain stream and a waterfall flow. The picturesque position, between forest and cliffs, gives it a special atmosphere of contemplation and beauty. The church preserves old paintings and precious liturgical objects, and over the centuries the monastery was an important cultural and defensive centre. In times of hardship, valuables and treasures of the country were sheltered here. Today, the community of nuns keeps the living tradition of the place alive. Tismana is a destination of pilgrimage and a wonderful natural corner of sub-Carpathian Oltenia, worth the journey for its history and scenery.

4.7(3,425 reviews)

Landmark

Masa Tăcerii

The Table of Silence is one of the best-known works of the sculptor Constantin Brâncuși and part of the monumental ensemble at Târgu Jiu, raised in memory of the heroes who fell in the First World War defending the town. Made of stone, the round table is surrounded by twelve hourglass-shaped seats and marks the start of the so-called Avenue of Heroes, which links the Table of Silence to the Gate of the Kiss and the Endless Column. The simple form and pure geometry of the work express the idea of contemplation and silent communion before the great passing, in the modernist style that made Brâncuși famous around the world. The ensemble at Târgu Jiu is regarded as a masterpiece of twentieth-century art. Visitors can walk the entire Avenue of Heroes to understand the connection between the three monuments. It is best to respect the commemorative meaning of the place during the stroll.

4.7(1,897 reviews)