Romania – Maramures

Maramures is located in the northwest of Romagna. It is very interesting part of Romania, also called land of wood. The most famous attraction is very unique Merry Cemetery in Sapanta . Local artist Stan Ioan Patras decorated tombstones in a very creative way with pictures and limericks. The picture and the limericks tell about hobby, style of life, job of the deceased eg religious life – the picture of a praying woman, reading books – a man reading a book, hunting – a hunter with a shotgun, parties – dancing, drinking woman or man. The deceased children are presented as an angels. The Merry cemetery makes visitors think about their life, what would be a picture and limerick on the grave (summarize of the life)…. Admission to the cemetery costs 5 lei and it takes about 1.5 hours to visit it. There are 2 restaurants with good food near the cemetery. The price of a meal is 25-30 lei. In Sapanta, you can also visit the old cemetery and the Peri-Sapant monastery.

• Wooden churches . Soaring wooden churches (gothic architecture style) are situated all over Maramures. They were built in almost every town or village. I think it is enough to visit a few of them. Which ones to choose? You can visit UNESCO World Heritages churches:
  • Barsana church of the Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple from 1720 47°49′15″N 24°03′21″E
  • Budești Josani church of Saint Nicholas from 1643 47°43′26″N 23°58′43″E
  • Desești church of Parascheva from 1770 47°43′26″N 23°57′00″E
  • Ieud Hill Church from 1717 47°40′37″N 24°14′18″E
  • church dedicated to the Holy Archangels in Plopiș from 1796/1798 47°35′30″N 23°36′16″E
  • Poienile Izei church of the Holy Parascence from 1604 47°41′56″N 24°06′54″E
  • Rogoz church of the Holy Archangels from 1663 47°28′12″N 23°55′42″E
  • Șurdești church from 1721 47°36′24″N 23°45′24″E

Most of the churches are closed on a daily basis. Travelers must call a keeper to open the church. It usually takes time to get inside. The keepers can be called between 10.00 and 16.00. The churches are closed for visitors on Mondays. Church situated at monastery site are opened all day 7 days a week. The entrance fee is 5-10 lei.

I highly recommend to visit local traditional villages. Pay attention to wooden fences, gates and old-fashioned wooden carts. I also recommend to accommodate at traditional home-stay. It is a great experience. Don’t worry about conditions – it is clean and and hot-water is available. It costs 100-120 lei, local breakfast is included.

The best way of visiting Maramures is a car. You may rent a car in Romania. You don’t need 4WD, city car is just enough. Public transport is available during limited hours in the villages.