The overturned house in the town of Poienari, in Gorj county, has now become the overturned village, which includes nine buildings of this kind, seven of which can be visited.
Nine overturned houses were made in Poienari town Photo: Alex Ducu
Alex Ducu, the young entrepreneur in the field of tourism, says that he was motivated by the opinions expressed in the online environment about the fact that there are such places in other countries. He now says that an entire village of overturned houses no longer exists anywhere in the world.
“We wanted to make a small upside down village. The idea is not found in any country in the world. After I built the house upside down, many opinions appeared online that there are other constructions of this kind in other countries of the world. That made me ambitious and I started working on these little houses, but I didn’t tell anyone. We also put a net so that what we are working on cannot be seen, so that someone else does not steal our idea and we are the first”, says this one.
He says that the reactions of the tourists are very good and he is satisfied that they are spending more time: “I have been among the visitors since May 1st. Some said they couldn’t believe how many boxes I made. The difference is that those who used to step on our doorstep stayed for about 15-20 minutes in our yard, and 10 percent stayed for about an hour. Now, 10 percent leave in ten minutes and the rest stay for about 3-4 hours“.
Nine overturned houses were made in Poienari town Photo: Alex Ducu
Each overturned house has a special story. Here is the smurf house, a gym or a traditional house.
Another novelty is a small park for various games.
He also inaugurated the Witches’ Castle last year
The first cottage was opened in 2019, and last year Alex also opened the Witches’ Castle, another special place that has a special story.
“Pretty much everything I earned and even more I reinvested. We really couldn’t put anything aside”said the entrepreneur.
Nine overturned houses were made in Poienari town Photo: Alex Ducu
Alex’s idea was a successful one. Travel agencies even organize trips to several tourist attractions in Oltenia, including the Overturned Cottage from Poienari.
He is helped by family and employees
Alex is helped by his family. “My parents and wife help me, but she is more busy with the two children. We also have employees who deal with supervision and cleaning. Now there is more activity at so many cottages. At the sanitary group, there is also a permanent activity regarding cleaning and disinfection“, said Alex.
He started from a small box where he sold kurtoş at the entrance to the Polovragi monastery
Alex started from a barrel from which he prepared and sold kurtoş to those who came to visit the Polovragi Monastery.
“We sold kurtoş at the entrance to the Polovragi Monastery. Most of those who now have travel agencies used to have a coach and organize tours. I used to give them each a kurtoş and we remained very good friends with them. Then I made the Overturned House and they helped me a lot. It matters when a larger group comes, especially since we are advertised“, stated Alex Ducu.
He was away in England
Alex was away for a few months working in England to raise money to invest in his business.
“I had the activity of making kurtoş for two or three years and I ran into the bureaucracy, because I couldn’t get a good place. I went to England and had two jobs. I stayed for about four months. I came with an ambition that I didn’t have when I started. I wanted to come home, not stay away. I bought stainless steel equipment and invested a lot in advertising. I made my company, “Kurtoș, la Ducu”. I realized while I was away that advertising is worth more than anything”, Alex said.
It still serves as a kurtos for those who come to visit the Overturned Village and the Witches’ Castle.
Visiting hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The entrance ticket costs 15 lei for children between 3 and 10 years old and 20 lei for other visitors.
Tags: overturned house Gorj Upturned Village Entrepreneur visitors staying hours VIDEO
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