The Fruit Grower's Household from Bălănești, Gorj County

     The household from Bălănești impresses with its house built of round oak beams arranged on two levels. It is one of the monumental wooden constructions from northern Oltenia found in the museum's collection. The local tradition mentions that  it was built in the middle of the 18th century by one of the wealthy peasants of the village.

     The house deviates from the local architectural pattern in that it has a well-defined ground floor, divided into two parts. One of the rooms was used as a cellar, while the other was used for storing tools employed in fruit growing and winemaking.

     The first floor follows the plan of the ground floor and is used for living. It consists of a kitchen with an open hearth, a living room and the best room. Both the upper and ground floors are surrounded on two sides by a porch, and the ground floor posts are carved with chisel and axe. 

     The gate is monumental, with three decorated posts incised on the edge facing the street.