Fitionești


Fitionești is a commune in the center-north hill area of Vrancea County, Western Moldavia, Romania. The commune is composed of five villages: Ciolănești, Fitionești, Ghimicești, Holbănești and Mănăstioara. Fitionești is said to have taken its name from the Fetion family, an old family of local boyars. The first historical evidence dates back to the Thracian Bronze Age.

Geography

The river Zăbrăuț crosses the village that lies between two hills, surrounded by wooden areas. Fitionești has a varied relief: Bouroș Hill to the East, Valea Rea Valley to the West, followed by Costin Hill; also, Pisc Hill to the northwest, and Ursoaia. Twenty kilometres north of Fitionești, after Glodișteanu Woods, there is Moșinoaiele monastery. These surroundings are proper for tourism.
The closest town is Panciu, ten kilometres to the South-East, which is virtually the only access way to "civilization", historically also referred to as „la Vale“. Another neighboring commune is Movilița, to the North-East. To the west, beyond Valea Rea and Costin hill, there is Muncelu village.

Economy

The inhabitants are mostly farmers. They mainly cultivate maize, beans, and potatoes, also onion, cabbage, radishes, tomatoes, and cucumbers. There are also many vineyards and orchards in Fitionești. Plums, apples, pears, and sour-cherries are most popular. Also they raise poultry, sheep, and cows. They keep horses, dogs, and cats.
They produce wine and „rachiu“, cheese, and make some of their clothes at home by hand. Also, some popular home manufacture includes soap, carpets, and brooms, usually for family use, not for selling.

Social facts