1.1.The localities in the area – brief history

Down the Buila-Vânturariţa Massif there are a few old localities: Horezu City, Costeşti commune (with the villages of Costeşti, Bistriţa, Pietreni and Văratici), Bărbăteşti commune (with the villages Bărbăteşti, Bodeşti, Negruleşti and Bârzeşti), Stoeneşti commune, Păuşeşti commune, Băile Olăneşti city (the villages Cheia, Tisa, Comanca, Gurguiata).

Human presence in the settlements on the valleys of the rivers flowing down Buila Peak goes back to ancient times. The Neolithic sites discovered in the caves and around the first centres of the villages prove that these old lands, untouched by natural calamities, were inhabited since old times.
In CosteÅŸti was discovered the Ferigile culture, dating from the second iron age.
Two brothers, Bărbat and Litovoi, ruled on the first feudal organizations in Wallachia (13th century). The descendants of Bărbat are supposed to have founded the village of Bărbăteşti.

The following history of these places gravitates around the many monasteries in the area: Bistriţa Monastery, Arnota Monastery, Hurez Monastery, Sărăcineşti Monastery, Pahomie Hermitage, Pătrunsa Hermitage, Păpuşa Hermitage, 44 Springs Hermitage, Peri Hermitage, Iezer Hermitage, Bradu Hermitage, Jgheaburi Hermitage, Frăsinei Hermitage.