Maramures, the lost world

UNESCO's World Heritage List: The Maramures wooden churches

2009-07-05T05:29:00.000-07:00

UNESCO's World Heritage List: The Maramures wooden churches

In Maramures are found eight wooden churches inscribed in 1999 on World Heritage List. They deserve a visit, even some of them are not easy to find, due to the lack of street signs. Be prepared to search a while for the key (ask for the priest -"Popa" in Romanian or the key- "Keye") and don't forget: you can't take pictures inside of Maramures UNESCO's wooden churches.
-Barsana "Jbar" Church. Not to be confused with Barsana Monastery, situated at the other end of the village!It was erected after 1711 (the moment when the timbers were felled). Beautiful paintings dated in 1806. Under restoration since 1997, so, it can not be visited at this moment. The wooden and glass icons and some panels are displayed at Barsana's Monastery Museum. See the cherubs covered by eyes.
-Budesti "Josani" Church. The log structure was firmly dated from the winter 1642-43. Under restoration since 2008. Paintings by Alexandru Ponehalschi, from 1760-1762. Other attractions: some wooden icons painted in XV century, the Pintea the Brave outlaw chain mail (XVIII century) and the flag of Francisc II Rákóczi, a Hungarian ruler (XVIII century). In the courtyard, a megalith used in 1586 for some pagan rituals!
-Desesti wooden church.. Erected in 1780, painted by Radu Munteanu in the same year. Fully restaurated and visitable.
-Ieud "Deal" Church. Built between 1611-1621, painted by Alexandru Ponehalschi in 1782 (the frescoes are under restoration now). Lovely cemetery around.
-Poienile Izei Church. Built between 1604-1632, impresive frescoes depicting the Hell and the Last Judgement datated in 1793 (by Master Gheorghe).
-Plopis Wooden Church. Built in 1811, painted in same year by Master Stefan). See the Apocalypse.
-Rogoz Wooden Church.. Erected in 1661, painted in 1785 by Radu Munteanu. Regard the "horse heads" from the outer walls, interesting carvings on wood.
-Surdesti Wooden Church. Built in 1766, painted in 1783 by master Stefan. The tower is 54 meters high and the entire church, 72 metres! See the interesting tombstones from the cemetery.

Vaser Valley train and timetables

2009-06-21T00:31:00.000-07:00

The work on heavily damaged railway which runs on Vaser Valley (pulled by "Mocanita" steam train), due to last July floods, is nearly finished.
The train runs daily in July and August, from Viseu de Sus railway station to Faina and Novat settlements, as follows:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday: to Novat (Departure 8,30 AM, arrival 12 AM).
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday: to Faina (departure 8,30 aM, arrival 17 PM).
The tickets cost:
To Novat-25 RON the adults (6 Euros), 20 RON the students (5 Euros) and 15 RON the kids (nearly 4 Euros).
To Faina-40 RON the adults (10 Euros), 30 RON the students (over 7 Euros) and 20 RON the kids (5 Euros).
Children up to 10 years old will travel for free only accompanied by parents, and those up to 5 years old may travel for free.
Very important!
The timetable is just informative, expect delays!
The number of seats are limitated, if possible, make a reservation in advance.
On Vaser Valley they are no shops (except Faina), the toilets are without running water and the accomodation is difficult to find on your own.

Accomodation in Sighetu Marmatiei

2009-06-14T00:34:00.000-07:00

At the moment, in Sighetu Marmatiei are opened several hotels, motels and a hostel.

The links are the following:

-"Iurca de Calinesti" Inn (****)- www.casaiurca.ro.
-"Marmatia" Hotel (***)- www.hotelmarmatia.ro.
-"Perla Sigheteana" Motel (***)- www.perlasigheteana.ro.
-"Buti" Hotel (***)- www.hotelbuti.ro.
-"Royal" Motel (***)- www.vilaroyal.ro.
-"Nova" Hotel (***)- www.hotelnova.ro.
-"Siesta" Motel (***) - http://www.turismvirtual.ro/Hotel-Siesta-1291.html.
-"Coroana" Hotel (**) -http://www.hotel.coroana.sighet.tourneo.ro.
-"Cobwobs" Hostel (*)- http://cobwobs-hostel.freehostia.com.

The festivals are going on

2009-05-03T01:28:00.001-07:00

In the 26th of April, The Dragomiresti's Village folk festival has take place. It was a great event, with thousands of participants, hundreds of children full traditionally dressed and costumed horses!
Today, 3 of May, another great festival is taking place at the border between Maramures and Satu Mare counties ("Sambra Oilor" festival).
And, next Sunday, on 10th May, will be "Tanjaua” at Hoteni.
Everyone will be welcomed. Is a great oportunity to see ancient costumes, music and traditions, a great time for getting good pictures!

The 2009 Maramures Festivals Calendar

2009-03-22T08:46:00.000-07:00

Please note that dates may be subject to change

26th April: Dragomiresti's Village folk festival: 4th May. Traditional music and dance, the town's saint patron (St. Thomas). Folk music and parade of folk costumes.
10th May: “Tanjaua” from Hoteni. The first ploughman festival, held every spring in this small village. The locals wearing their traditional costumes, celebrate the most hardworking man (the one who ploughed first his field). He is seated on a small carriage pulled by young men. Pairs of young men carry take on the role of oxen, raising the decorated yokes and pulling the train out to the river.
24th May: Sieu Village Festival.Dance and songs singing contest for children and adults.
8th June: Traditional Dance at Valeni Village.Traditional music, dance and costumes.
8th June: Budesti Village Festival .Folk music and parade of folk costumes, dedicated to children.
30th June: Barsana Monastery Celebration.
19th July: Ocna Sugatag Gourmet Festival. Hosted by Hungarian community celebrationg its national dish: the goulash; cooking contests.
15th August: Moisei Monastery Pilgrimage. The most important orthodox pilgrimage from Maramures.
16th August: Dance at Prislop Pass.One of the most important Maramures's folk festivals, with thousands of participants.
25-27 September: The Baia Mare’s Chestnut Festival, try to bring something new every year in order to attract people: pop, rock and folk music concerts, book releases, art exhibitions, folklore spectacles, sport competitions etc.
The First November: The Dead’s Day.The people reconnect to the dead, lighting candles in the cemeteries and offering food to the poor. The legend says that ib this night the dead's souls come back to visit their loved ones. Held in every village.
27th December: Sighetu Marmatiei’s Winter Customs Festival.Big carnival parade: hundreds of costumed and masked people from Maramures villages and other regions, horses and children sing carols and perform traditional winter plays.

Bus between Maramures and Bukovina

2009-03-22T08:27:00.000-07:00

A new bus line operate between Maramures and Bukovina. The bus runs over Prislop pass (1416 m altitude), linking Iasi with Satu Mare. It operates daily leaving Iasi at 8.00 AM and arriving Satu Mare at 19.37 PM. From Satu Mare, the bus depart at same hour (8.AM).

Good news from Maramures and Vaser Valley

2008-10-19T01:11:00.000-07:00

The remains of floodings are nearly gone.
The roads are open (except some local roads from Viseu de Sus and Poienile de sub Munte areas). The houses which were destroyed, are rebuilt. The weather is nice, dry but quite cold (the first snow falled up in mountains in 23th of September). Today, in the early morning was 0° C, and now there are around 10° C.
The work on Vaser Valley railway continues. Our government paid another 500.000 euros for the rebuilding of the area. If the money will be enough, and the weather will permite, the works will finish next spring.
Until then, the train pulled by the steam engine no. 763.193 (Krauss, from 1921), has started to run up 8 kilometres on the valley, every weekend!
And finally, at Sighet was reopened after many years, the main hotel of the town: the 3 stars Marmatia Hotel (49 rooms).
So, all the tourists are welcomed, yours hosts are back in business!

Very important!!!

2008-07-30T10:21:00.000-07:00

Due to heavy floods which covered Maramures last weekend, Vaser Valley was washed away. The narrow gauge train line was destroyed. The steam engine train ("Mocanita") doesn't go up anymore.
In 26 of July, the floods destroyed kilometres of train rails. Many bridges were destroyed. At that time, on train were 192 people, which were blocked at Faina. They slept there, and at Bardau and Novicior forest camps, whithout clothes, food, medicins or any help from outside. There is no cell phone signal, nor other sorts of communications. Even radio stations were out.
Only the second evening (27 of July), the tourists received help from Police and Gendarmery (a team marched by foot, through the water, for 22 km to reach the camps).
Fortunately, all the tourists were alive, only a Belgium women was sick.
Part of tourists went down to Viseu de Sus by foot, and the others were evacuated by helicopters.
On the same time, on Vaser Valley died 4 people (three due to a landslide, and one teenager fell into the river.
In Viseu de Sus town is disaster. Many parts of the town are still isolated, without any acces and without electricity. The entire Vaser Valley is isolated.
Sighetu Marmatiei town is out of running water, since 27 of July (due to Tisa river floods, which destroyed the town's water plant.
The trains which link Sighetu Marmatiei to Cluj, Timisoara and Bucharest, can't reach the town (the rails were destroyed on several places). So, the trains go now only to Viseu de Jos station (which can be reached from Sighet only by bus or car.
The situation will become normally as follows:
-The Sighetu Marmatiei running water will come back in three weeks.
-The rail between Sighetu Marmatiei and Bucharest will become operational again, in several months.
-The "Mocanita" steam engine train, will restart, maybe, next year...

2008 Maramures festivals

2008-04-06T04:51:00.000-07:00

This year Maramures will host several important events and festivals. Please note that dates may be subject to change.
The Orthodox Easter: 27th April. People go to church in traditional costumes for the midnight (or early morning) mass, taking with them a bowl of Pasca eggs and steak, where these aliments are blessed by the clergy. On returning home from the mass, people first eat some of the sanctified aliments and only then the rest. The pasca is a round shape Easter cake.
Dragomiresti's Village folk festival: 4th May. Traditional music and dance, the town's saint patron (St. Thomas). Folk music and parade of folk costumes.
Tanjaua from Hoteni Village: 11th May. The first ploughman festival, held every spring in this small village. The villagers wearing their traditional costumes, celebrate the most hardworking man (the one who ploughed first his field). He is seated on a small carriage pulled by young men. Pairs of young men carry take on the role of oxen, raising the decorated yokes and pulling the train out to the river. Folk music and parade of folk costumes.
Sieu's Village Folk festival: 17-19 May. Dance and songs singing contest for children and adults. Parade of folk costumes.
Repedea's Village Festival of the Narcissus: 24-25 May. Ukrainian minority folk music.
At the end of May, take place Sighetu Marmatiei's Village Museum Open Day. Good traditional music, dance and costumes.
Ocna Sugatag's Village Festival of the Goulash: 6th June. Hosted by Hungarian community celebrationg its national dish: the goulash; cooking contests.
Budesti's Village Folk Festival: 15th June. Folk music and parade of folk costumes, dedicated to children.
Valeni's Village Folk Festival: 16th June. Traditional music, dance and costumes.
Petrova's Village Folk Festival: 16th June. Other folk festivals are held in June in Borsa, Viseu de Sus towns and Rona de Jos village.
Vadu Izei's Village Wedding Festival: 28-29 June. Traditional wedding rituals, popular costumes, dances and songs.
The Day of Dragomireşti's Monastery’s Patron Saint: 20th July. Pilgrimage to the monastery and its "miracle-working" icon.
Vaser's Valley Festival, Viseu de Sus town: 6-7 August. Dedicated to the German minority.
The Saint Mary Holy Day, Moisei Monastery: 15th August. The most important orthodox pilgrimage from Maramures.
Rozavlea's Village Folk Festival: 16-17 August. Traditional music, dance and costumes.
Round Dance at Prislop, Prislop Pass (1416 m altitude), near Borsa town: 17th August. One of the most important Maramures's folk festivals, with thousands of participants.
Rona de Jos's village Folk Festival: 17th August. Traditional music, dance and costumes.
Botiza's Village Folk Festival: 23-24 August. Traditional music, dance and costumes.
The Village Dance (Breb, Sat Sugatag, Hoteni): 24, 31 August and 7th September. Traditional dances and music.
During summer take place other folk festivals at Crasna Viseului Village, Sambra Oii Pass, Leordina, Ieud, Stramtura Villages and so on.
The Birthday of the Holy Virgin: 8th September. The Saint Patron of Ieud-Deal, Calinesti-Josani and Harnicesti wooden churches. Pilgrimage.
The Campulung la Tisa's Village Grape Ball: late September - early October. Dedicated to the youth of this hungarian village.
Sighetu Marmatiei's Days: late September-early October. Cultural events, beer festival.
Sighetu Marmatiei's International Poetry Festival: 2-4 October. Poetry recital, book releases.
The Ocna Sugatag's Village Grape Festival: 11th October.
St. Parascheva Day: 14 October. Day of Deseşti and Poienile Izei Churches’ Patron Saint.
The Dead's Day: 1th November.The people reconnect to the dead, lighting candles in the cemeteries and offering food to the poor. The legend says that ib this night the dead's souls come back to visit their loved ones. Almost all the towns and villages.
Saint Archangels’ Day: 8th November. The Patron Saint for Sighetu Marmatiei Orthodox Cathedral, Rozavlea and Stramtura wooden churches. Pilgrimages.
Saint Nicholas Day: 6th December. The Saint Patron of Budesti Josani and Susani, Bogdan Voda, Glod, Feresti and Cornesti wooden churches. Pilgrimages.
Viseu de Sus's Winter Customs Festival: 14th December. folk costumes and traditional performances typical for Christmas and New Year.
Marmatia Winter Customs Festival, Sighetu Marmatiei: 27 December. A very important (40 years old) festival celebrating winter traditions in Maramureş. Big carnival parade: hundreds of costumed and masked people from Maramures villages and other regions, horses and children sing carols and perform traditional winter plays.

Al'intérieur Transylvanie: la terre du Maramures

2007-11-05T05:26:00.000-08:00

Maramures est l'un des mieux gardés secrets de l'Europe, le lieu où le temps n'a pas bougé depuis des décennies, un lieu où les traditions, l'art et le bois de bonté humaine sont bien préservés.
Près de la frontière ukrainienne, Maramures couvre 3381 sqkm des vallées, beatifull villages, les collines et les montagnes (jusqu'à 2303 md'altitude). Sur cette petite surface sont préservés 5 UNESCO énumérés églises en bois, une réserve naturelle également protégé par l'UNESCO, quelque 60 villages et les petites villes, la seule voie étroite industrielle train à vapeur encore en usage en Europe, et de nombreuses autres attractions. Que faire:
1. Sighetu Marmatiei ville, avec ses musées et églises.
2. Vaser Valley, où fonctionne le seul vapeur, le train.
3. Les églises en bois protégés par l'UNESCO (Poienile Izei, Ieud Deal -, Budesti - Josani, Desesti et Barshana - Jbar), érigé entre les XVIe et XVIIIe siècles, dans "gothique de Maramures" et peint des centaines d'années auparavant.
4. Le Cimetière Joyeux de Sapanta, unique dans le monde, célèbre pour ses pierres tombales colorées avec des peintures décrivant, dans un cadre original et poétique façon, les personnes qui y sont enterrés, ainsi que des scènes de leur vie, le monde connaît aujourd'hui une attraction touristique.
5. La plus grande église en bois dans le monde (78 m de haut, érigée à Sapanta, entre 1995-2003).
6. Pietrosu Rodnei Réserve naturelle, l'UNESCO répertoriés depuis 1979, estabilished en 1932, une partie de la "Rodna Mountains National Park", de la protection Edelweiss, gentianes, de marmottes, de chamois etc
7. Parc naturel du montagnes de Maramures, le plus grand et le plus sauvage en Roumanie, qui couvre 1480 sqkm, la protection de 1260 espèces de plantes, les ours, loups, lynx etc
8. Breb Village, adopté par le HMS Prince de Galles (qu'il a acheté il ya trois anciennes maisons en bois).
9. Sarbi Village, groupe d'eau alimentés Machines (fuiling et les moulins à eau, batteuse, les distilleries d'alcool, tourbillons).
10. Budesti Village, les mieux préservés de Maramures traditionnelles de règlement.
Si vous avez des questions à propos de Maramures's Attraction, d'hébergement ou si vous avez besoin d'aide, veuillez contacter Adela ou Teo (adelaalma@gmail.com ou teofilivanciuc@yahoo.com, qui parlent anglais et le français.

Sighetu Marmatiei ville. Choses à faire.

2007-11-05T05:23:00.000-08:00

Sighetu Marmatiei (également orthographié Sighet), avec ses 41,000 habitants, est la ville principale de la région de Maramures (nord de la Transylvanie, Roumanie). Habité depuis l'âge de pierre, le règlement a été mentionnée pour la première fois en 1334, et en tant que ville, en 1352. Aujourd'hui, Sighet est la porte de Maramures, et l'une de ses principales attractions touristiques. Attraction la plus importante sont les suivants:

1. Le Mémorial des victimes du communisme et de la Résistance (l'ancienne prison du comté de Maramures, construit en 1897, aujourd'hui un musée d'importance européenne, sous l'égide du Conseil de l'Europe).

2. Le Village Musée de Maramures (un musée en plein air, avec plus de 30 maisons en bois remonte à XVII-XIX siècles, et une église en bois XVIe siècle).

3. La Maison Elie Wiesel (aujourd'hui "La culture juive et le Musée des civilisations", le lieu où est né Elie Wiesel, lauréat de 1986 du prix Nobel de la paix).

4. Le Musée ethnographique de Maramures (riche affiche des XV - XIX icônes, des tapis, des meubles et autres choses ethnographique).

5. L'archéologie, l'histoire et des sciences naturelles Museum (piariste l'ancien monastère, construit en 1730).

6. L'Eglise de Calvin (le plus ancien bâtiment qui a survécu - en date du XIVe siècle, mélange de gothique et les styles New gothique).

7. L'Église catholique romaine - "Saint Carol Boromeu" (construit entre 1730-1806, Barocco style horloge de soleil au-dessus de l'entrée, un Arménien autel, peintures et statues).

8. Le Ukraininian Eglise orthodoxe "Elévation de la Sainte Croix" (construit entre 1791-1807, de nombreuses reliques de saints).

9. La Synagogue Sépharade (construit en 1900-1904, Mauric - Renascentist de style).

10. Le cimetière juif et de la Savonnerie Monument (3,000 charniers, à l'instar de ceux des fondateurs de Chasidic circulation - Teitelbaum dynastie. Monument de la savonnerie contient deux boîtes remplies de savon faites par les Juifs gazés au camp de la mort d'Auschwitz).

11. Le cimetière des pauvres (où sont enterrés dans des tombes anonymes sur 50 anciens dignitaires roumains, des ministres, des évêques, des universitaires, des journalistes, qui ont été tués dans la prison de Sighet durant 1950).

12. Le moteur à vapeur (construite en 1943, le modèle Henschel & Sohn).

13. Le marché du bétail (très coloré, a lieu chaque premier lundi de chaque mois).

14. Le marché central (tous les jours, où les marchands vendent des légumes, des fruits, des laitages, artisanat).

15. Le Palais de la culture (construit en 1912-1913, ressemblant à un château médiéval, Eccletic - style romantique).

Si vous avez des questions à propos de Sighet, ses attractions ou d'hébergement, veuillez prendre contact avec Adela ou Teo (adelaalma@gmail.com ou teofilivanciuc@yahoo.com), qui parlent anglais et le français.

Vaser Valley, l'ultime trains

2007-11-05T05:21:00.000-08:00

Vaser vallée, où vous trouverez le seul abattage transportées par des trains à voie étroite des moteurs à vapeur (760 mm de) encore en usage en Europe, traverse le Maramureş Montagnes au milieu de l'une des plus sauvages et beaux paysages de la Roumanie.

La rivière Vaser est 62 kilomètres de long, formant un spectaculaire canyon de type vallée, où les falaises alternent avec les forêts de sapins et de hêtres, les clairières et les sources d'eaux minérales.

Le point d'accès à la vallée de Vaser est de la ville de Vişeu de Sus, qui est également le point de départ de "Mocăniţa" (le train à vapeur à voie étroite), le seul moyen de transport dans la vallée. Construit entre 1930-1932 pour exprimer la tâche de transporter le bois, le train est toujours utilisé pour l'objectif initial, attirant des milliers de touristes du monde entier.

Plus il ya plusieurs fonctionnement des moteurs à vapeur: la plus ancienne a été construite en 1910 ( "O & K"), suivie d'une autre en 1921 ( "Krauss") et 5 roumain des moteurs à vapeur construit à Resita entre 1953-1955. Sur le chemin de fer a également exécuté plusieurs moteurs diesel (construit en 1960's - 1970), et d'autres véhicules.

Le chemin à parcourir est long et avec plusieurs escales de ravitaillement. Le train peut aussi tomber à la dérive, mais à la faible vitesse de 10 km / h qui ne présente aucun danger. Les passagers (qui sont expérimentés en la matière) contribuer à remettre le train sur les rails en utilisant tout ce qu'ils peuvent mettre la main sur: coupe de morceaux de bois, des chaînes, des haches, ou crochets.

La principale ligne de 43 km de long (Viseu de Sus - Comanu), avec deux autres directions (Novat Vallée - 13 km de long, et vers Stevioara - 3 km) et dure (jusqu'à Faina, la gare, située à 32 Km de Viseu), entre 3 et 4 heures.

Un voyage avec la Mocanita est comme en remontant dans le temps: de la vallée n'est pas signal de téléphone cellulaire (y travaillent seulement les stations de radio), il n'existe pas de magasins, et les dispositions de la nourriture et autres biens de consommation doivent être faites avant le départ. Aussi il n'ya pas de certitude quant aux heures de départ et de retour. La vallée de la Vaser sur la zone frontalière avec l'Ukraine, et une carte d'identité ou de passeport doit être amené.

En 2008, la saison touristique va commencer au 1er mai, et prendra fin en octobre. Le train quitte chaque jour à 8,30 AM (sauf dimanches et jours fériés) de Viseu de Sus petite gare. Le billet coûte environ 8-9 euros (adultes), 6 euros (étudiants), 4-5 euros (enfants de 7-16 ans). Les enfants de moins de 7 ans voyagent gratuitement. Les groupes de plus de 20 membres sont invités à faire la réservation au moins une semaine auparavant, à info@ecotours.ro.

Pour questions ou informations vous devez contacter Adela ou Teo (adelaalma@gmail.com ou teofilivanciuc@yahoo.com), qui parlent anglais et le français.

Vaser Valley, the ultimate train

2007-11-04T04:01:00.000-08:00

Vaser Valley, where you can find the only logging train hauled by narrow gauge steam engines (760 mm) still in use in Europe, crosses the Maramureş Mountains in the middle of one of the most wild and beautiful Romania's landscapes.

The Vaser River is 62 kilometres long, forming a spectacular canyon-like valley, where cliffs alternate with fir and beech forests, clearings and mineral water springs.

The access point to the Vaser Valley is the town of Vişeu de Sus, which is also the starting point for "Mocăniţa" ( the narrow gauge steam train), the only means of transportation in the valley. Built between 1930-1932 for the express task of transporting wood, the train is still used for the original purpose, attracting thousands of tourists from all over the world.

Over there are running several steam engines: the oldest one was built in 1910 ("O&K") followed by one other made in 1921 ("Krauss") and 5 Romanian steam engines built at Resita between 1953-1955. On the railway run also several Diesel engines (built in 1960's-1970's) and other vehicles.

The journey is long and with several fuelling stops. The train can also fall off the rails, but at the slow speed of 10 km/hour that poses no danger. The passengers (who are experienced in the matter) help get the train back on the rails using anything they can lay their hands on: cut pieces of wood, chains, axes, or hooks.

The main line is 43 km long (Viseu de Sus-Comanu), with other two branches (Novat Valley-13 km long, and towards Stevioara-3 km), and usually takes (just until Faina, the main station, situated at 32 km from Viseu), between 3 and 4 hours.

A journey with the Mocanita is like going back in time: on the valley is not cell phone signal (there are working only radio stations), there are no shops, and provisions of food and other consumables have to be made before departure. Also there is no certainty about the departure and return hours. The Vaser Valley is on the border zone with Ukraine, and a valid identity card or passport has to be brought along.
In 2008, the touristic season will start at 1 May, and will end in October. The train departs every day at 8.30 AM (except Sundays and holidays) from Viseu de Sus small railway station. The ticket cost around 8-9 euros (adults), 6 euros (students), 4-5 euros (children between 7-16 years old). The children under 7 travel for free. The groups over 20 members are invited to make the reservation at least one week earlier, at info@ecotours.ro.
If you have any questions, you should contact Adela or Teo ( adelaalma@gmail.com or teofilivanciuc@yahoo.com), which speak English and French.

Sighetu Marmatiei town. Things to do.

2007-11-04T03:54:00.000-08:00

Sighetu Marmatiei (also spelled Sighet), with its 41.000 inhabitants, is the main town of the Maramures region (northern Transylvania, Romania). Inhabited since the Stone Age, the settlement was first mentioned in 1334, and as town, in 1352. Today, Sighet is the gate of Maramures, and one of its most important tourist attractions. The most important atractions are:

1.The Memorial of the Victims of Communism and of the Resistance (the former prison of the Maramures County, built in 1897, today a museum of European significance, under the aegis of the Council of Europe).

2. The Village Museum of Maramures (an open air museum, with over 30 wooden houses dated back to XVII-XIX centuries and a XVI century wooden church).

3. The Elie Wiesel House (today "The Jewish Culture and Civilization Museum", the place where was born Elie Wiesel, laureate of the 1986's Nobel Prize for Peace).

4. The Ethnographic Museum of Maramures (rich displays of XV-XIX icons, carpets, furniture and other ethnographical stuff).

5. The Archaeological, History and Natural Sciences Museum (the former Piarist Monastery, built in 1730).

6. The Calvin Church (the oldest building which survived-dated in XIV century, mixture of Gothic and New Gothic styles).

7. The Roman-Catholic Church "Saint Carol Boromeu" (built between 1730-1806, Barocco style, sun clock above the entrance, an Armenian altar, paintings and statues).

8. The Ukraininian Orthodox Church "Elevation of the Holy Cross" (built between 1791-1807, many saints relics).

9. The Sephardic Synagogue (built in 1900-1904, Mauric-Renascentist style).

10. The Jewish Cemetery and the Soap Monument (3.000 graves, like those of the founders of Chasidic movement-Teitelbaum dynasty. The Soap Monument contains two boxes filled with soap made by Jews gassed at Auschwitz death camp).

11. The Cemetery of the Poor (where are buried in anonymous graves about 50 former Romanian dignitaries, ministers, bishops, academicians, journalists, who were killed in Sighet jail during 1950's).

12. The Steam engine (built in 1943, model Henschel&Sohn).

13. The Livestock Market (very colourful, takes place every first Monday of each month).

14. The Central Market (daily, where the merchants sell vegetables, fruits, dairy produces, handcrafts).

15. The Cultural Palace (built in 1912-1913, looking like a medieval castle, Eccletic-Romantic style).

If you have any questions about Sighet, its atractions or accomodation there, please contact Adela or Teo ( adelaalma@gmail.com or teofilivanciuc@yahoo.com), which speak English and French.

InsideTransylvania: The Maramures Land

2007-11-04T03:42:00.000-08:00

Maramures is one the best kept Europe's secrets, the place where the time hasn't moved for decades, a place where the traditions, the wooden art and the human kindness are well preserved.
Close to the Ukrainian border, Maramures covers 3381 sqkm of valleys, beatifull villages, hills and mountains (up to 2303 m high). On this small surface are preserved 5 UNESCO listed wooden churches, a natural reserve also protected by UNESCO, about 60 villages and small towns, the only narrow gauge industrial steam train still in use in Europe, and many other atractions. What to do:
1. Sighetu Marmatiei town, with its museums and churches.
2. Vaser Valley, where runs the only steam powered train.
3. The wooden churches protected by UNESCO (Poienile Izei, Ieud-Deal, Budesti-Josani, Desesti and Barsana-Jbar), erected between XVI-XVIII centuries, in "Maramures gothic style" and painted hundreds of years ago.
4. The Merry Cemetery from Sapanta, unique in the world, famous for its colourful tombstones with native paintings describing, in an original and poetic manner, the persons that are buried there as well as scenes from their lives, today an worldwide known tourist attraction.
5. The tallest wooden church in the world (78 m high, erected at Sapanta, between 1995-2003).
6. Pietrosu Rodnei Natural Reserve, UNESCO listed since 1979, estabilished in 1932, part of the "Rodna Mountains National Park", protecting edelweiss, gentians, marmots, chamois etc.
7. Maramures Mountains Natural Park, the largest and wildest in Romania, covering 1480 sqkm, protecting 1260 plant species, bears, wolves, lynxes etc.
8. Breb Village, adopted by the HMS Prince of Wales (he bought there three old wooden houses).
9. Sarbi Village, group of water powered machines (fuiling and watermills, thresher, alcohol distilleries, whirlpools).
10. Budesti Village, the best preserved traditional Maramures settlement.
If you have any questions about Maramures's atractions, accomodation or if you need any help, please contact Adela or Teo ( adelaalma@gmail.com or teofilivanciuc@yahoo.com, which speak English and French.