city, capital of Gorj judeţ (county), southwestern Romania, on the Jiu River. Formerly a Roman settlement, Târgu Jiu was frequently ruled by local boyars until the 19th century. After World War II, the city developed rapidly from an agricultural market town into an industrial centre producing timber, clothing, cigarettes, and foodstuffs. It lies in the southern part of the Petroşani Depression, and there are open-cut coal-mining operations in the area and oil wells south of the city. The Jiu River valley was the scene of heavy fighting in World War I (especially in 1916) and World War II. The city park contains a monument honouring Romanian heroes of World War I by the sculptor Constantin Brancusi, who was born in Hobiţa village. The city also has a museum where Brancusi once lived. Railway connections and highways extend through the city. Pop. (2007 est.) 96,081.