On the valley of the Doamnei River, heading north, under the peak of Strungii, at the foothills of the Făgăraș Mountains, lies the commune of Nucșoara. The commune is composed of the villages of Nucșoara, Gruiu, Sboghițești, and Slatina.

Nucșoara has been documented since the year 1532, and its name comes from the diminutive form of “nuc,” meaning walnut tree. According to tradition, the first person who settled here did so near a small walnut tree, and the community that formed received the name Nucusoara, which later changed to Nucșoara.

There are many stories about Nucșoara, from Italian craftsmen brought by King Ferdinand I, led by Olivotto Ștefan, after whom the bridge in the village is named “Podul lui Ștefan” (Ștefan’s Bridge). Their descendants are now renowned folk craftsmen (Viorica Olivotto). Other stories include famous folk music singers admired by King Michael I, such as Maria N. Carstoiu (Pituleasa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kraTBBQmmkA, and the multitude of karst lakes and ponds, among which the most famous is Lake Invărtita.

However, Nucșoara is deeply connected to the anti-communist resistance movement, being one of the main nuclei of the anti-communist resistance in the southern region of Romania. One of the most well-known representatives of this resistance is Elisabeta Rizea, and you can discover her history on the website casaelisabetarizea.ro.