Valcea County, through two large spiritual entities, is the only county in the southern half of Romania to be featured on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Both originate in the vicinity of Horezu, in the western part of the county, in a place that best summarizes the spiritual values of Valcea county residents – church and pottery, namely the Hurezi Monastery and the Horezu earthenware. Hurezi Monastery is up to now the only historical monument that is inscribed in the list of World Heritage sites on its own (since 1993) and for the moment the only one in the southern half of Romania, the other sites inscribed in the UNESCO lists being formed of several historical monuments grouped under a certain category such as the eight painted churches of northern Moldova, the seven Transylvanian Saxon churches in Transylvania, the eight wooden churches in Maramures, the six ancient Dacian fortresses in the Orastie Mountains, and the historical center of Sighisoara, which is a medieval urban ensemble.
Horezu pottery is also part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage lists. The ancient craft of pottery making was revitalized in the Brancoveanu epoch, emphasis being placed on increased accuracy in execution and a growing symbolic and artistic value of the painted earthenware. In the second half of the 20th century respect for the preservation and passing on of archaic motifs and symbols (the rooster, the snake, fish, the tree of life, the sun) was stimulated together with individual creativity and freedom of expression, which led to the apparition of both several renowned potters such as Vicsoreanu, Ograzeanu, Iorga, Mischiu, Popa, Palosi and others, as well as national and international fame.
For a long time, even after 1990, the potters remained isolated in their hilltop village. Horezu potters created a commercial space for themselves pretty late on on the main street of their village, using the model of the potters of Corund village in Harghita county, with which they have a long-lasting friendship, the Horezu and Corund craftsmen helping each other frequently in selling their wares.
The town of Horezu is presently a renowned tourist destination sought out for its artistic and architectural treasures preserved in the Hurezi Monastery, as well as for the exceptional craftsmanship of local potters.