Wooden Churches of Maramures
Wooden Churches of Maramures
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
5.0
100 reviews
Excellent
78
Very good
22
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Anthony B
Blandford Forum, UK22 contributions
Sep 2023 ⢠Couples
Oh wow. These should definitely be on the list of top
10 things to see in Romania. Loved the history. Loved the wood! Loved the icons and paintings on the wooden walls. Loved being able to climb up a rickety ladder to go up the bell tower. Loved the guide who knew so much. Didnât love google gps that took us along someoneâs private roadâŚ..but theyâre used to that!
10 things to see in Romania. Loved the history. Loved the wood! Loved the icons and paintings on the wooden walls. Loved being able to climb up a rickety ladder to go up the bell tower. Loved the guide who knew so much. Didnât love google gps that took us along someoneâs private roadâŚ..but theyâre used to that!
Written 2 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tiberiu_Baranyi
Timisoara, Romania12,913 contributions
Sep 2020
For those of you who are into history and love wood and architecture - if you are not into these things then it won't mean anything.
Also what I would like to do in this review is - to dispel some myths about the Wooden Churches of Maramures:
- Myth Nr. 1 - all of the Wooden churches are traditional and old - it Ain't the case! - some of the churches are very recent and for the trained eye it is obvious - based on the decorations what's new and what's old. So some of those bear historical and cultural value and some only religious/cultural.
The majority of the "famous" monasteries have recent churches (Barsana, Rohia, Sapanta - Peri, etc.)
- Myth Nr. 2 - all the Wooden churches are Orthodox Churches - definitely NOT! - there are a lot of Greek Catholic churches in Maramures - but the majority were reconverted to Orthodox faith. (after 1950 orthodox religion was tolerated by the Communist party and the other religions banned and priest/bishops persecuted, etc. - won't enter into a debate on this topic , but this area was always a multicultural place and a "multi-religious" place) ... so yes many churches are Orthodox today - it wasn't always the case.
- Myth Nr. 3 - it is traditional to build Wooden Churches - take it with a pinch of salt- it is indeed however it is linked with the fact that : poor communities built Wooden churches an the richer communities built stone/brick churches. (wood was cheap).
- Myth Nr. 4 - only in Maramures you can find Wooden Churches - FALSE! - indeed it was specific for the region and it started here - but nowadays there are churches inspired by these spread all over in Romania - and not only (you can find these sort of churches from EU countries to the US) - it started here, it has spread to the world!
Now there are 99 (old) Wooden Churches in the region of Maramures - when I say old , those are built before the year 1900. From the 99 there are 8 churches (5 out of the 8 are in the historical region of Maramures) that are designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites!
I hope you had the patience to go through this review and I could give you some information on this "mythical" places.
And YES , when you are in Maramures these are definitely must architectural /historical /cultural /spiritual places that you SHALL see!
To visit all (99) of them you need 1 - 2 weeks - to visit the (8) churches listed by UNESCO you need a few days, to visit the (5) ones that are in the area of Maramures is enough 1 day.
Go and see ! Enjoy the cultural immersion.
Also what I would like to do in this review is - to dispel some myths about the Wooden Churches of Maramures:
- Myth Nr. 1 - all of the Wooden churches are traditional and old - it Ain't the case! - some of the churches are very recent and for the trained eye it is obvious - based on the decorations what's new and what's old. So some of those bear historical and cultural value and some only religious/cultural.
The majority of the "famous" monasteries have recent churches (Barsana, Rohia, Sapanta - Peri, etc.)
- Myth Nr. 2 - all the Wooden churches are Orthodox Churches - definitely NOT! - there are a lot of Greek Catholic churches in Maramures - but the majority were reconverted to Orthodox faith. (after 1950 orthodox religion was tolerated by the Communist party and the other religions banned and priest/bishops persecuted, etc. - won't enter into a debate on this topic , but this area was always a multicultural place and a "multi-religious" place) ... so yes many churches are Orthodox today - it wasn't always the case.
- Myth Nr. 3 - it is traditional to build Wooden Churches - take it with a pinch of salt- it is indeed however it is linked with the fact that : poor communities built Wooden churches an the richer communities built stone/brick churches. (wood was cheap).
- Myth Nr. 4 - only in Maramures you can find Wooden Churches - FALSE! - indeed it was specific for the region and it started here - but nowadays there are churches inspired by these spread all over in Romania - and not only (you can find these sort of churches from EU countries to the US) - it started here, it has spread to the world!
Now there are 99 (old) Wooden Churches in the region of Maramures - when I say old , those are built before the year 1900. From the 99 there are 8 churches (5 out of the 8 are in the historical region of Maramures) that are designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites!
I hope you had the patience to go through this review and I could give you some information on this "mythical" places.
And YES , when you are in Maramures these are definitely must architectural /historical /cultural /spiritual places that you SHALL see!
To visit all (99) of them you need 1 - 2 weeks - to visit the (8) churches listed by UNESCO you need a few days, to visit the (5) ones that are in the area of Maramures is enough 1 day.
Go and see ! Enjoy the cultural immersion.
Written 9 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
njw_to
Toronto, Canada305 contributions
Aug 2019 ⢠Couples
We visited 3 of the churches and each was a little different. They are amazingly old and interesting both inside and out.
Written 1 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
brent b
Arroyo Grande, CA290 contributions
Sep 2019
great place to walk around and see these amazing churches. beautiful grounds. no cost to see them. there is a small gift shop with mostly religious things for sale. nice view of the county side.
Written 31 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
K72
Melbourne, Australia2,932 contributions
Jul 2019 ⢠Friends
The wooden churches are quite stunning. So old with lots of history. Worth visiting a few churches to make some comparisons. They're all a little different. Great paintings inside.
Written 10 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CelticHeart
Bucharest, Romania113 contributions
Apr 2019 ⢠Friends
The Maramures Wooden churches are located in the MaramureČ region of northern Transylvania and are a group of almost one hundred old Orthodox churches. Occasionally are Greek-Catholic ones, has ben built by a different architectural solutions from different periods and areas. That churches from MaramureČ, are high timber constructions with characteristic tall, slim bell towers at the western end of the building. They are a particular vernacular expression of the cultural landscape of this area of northern Romania.
Written 1 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elena A
Doha, Qatar525 contributions
Oct 2018 ⢠Family
Highly recommended for the beautiful setting and views! You don't really need to spend more than an hour there unless you want to, so make sure to have a quick stop and check it out.
Written 27 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rodi130
Manchester, UK3 contributions
Jul 2018
Unique artifacts, craft and art, local beliefs and traditions rolled into one.
The feeling of peace is only overcome by the awe one feels looking at this majestic constructions.
Worth visiting.
The feeling of peace is only overcome by the awe one feels looking at this majestic constructions.
Worth visiting.
Written 14 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colin G
Istanbul, TĂźrkiye445 contributions
Jun 2018 ⢠Friends
Visited while passing by recently.
A number of wooden churches of quite unique design and very nice to see.
There is a visitor centre where itâs possible to see a few historical artifacts and buy locally produced souvenirs.
There is no entrance fee to the churches as they are a place of worship and rely on funding or donation.
Well worth a visit. Gets busy so best to visit early.
A number of wooden churches of quite unique design and very nice to see.
There is a visitor centre where itâs possible to see a few historical artifacts and buy locally produced souvenirs.
There is no entrance fee to the churches as they are a place of worship and rely on funding or donation.
Well worth a visit. Gets busy so best to visit early.
Written 30 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DDF20
Turda, Romania17 contributions
Mar 2017 ⢠Couples
The wooden Churches is interesting and on the way back is a fabulous view of the valley and surrounding mountains.
Written 6 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
infoexpertx
Rotterdam, The Netherlands268 contributions
On a one, two or three day visit which churches would you visit?
kmfm2018
Santa Fe, NM57 contributions
Would we have access to the general grounds/property if we arrive after closing time?
hdeznoa
miami2 contributions
Hi, I need a private guide with car for two days in Maramures area, arriving at Baia Mare airport,
Please contact me. Juan Hernandez
Margaret H
Surfers Paradise, Australia6 contributions
We used Cornelia Lupsa -- she was absolutely fantastic. You can find her with a Google search under her name. She operates in the Marmures, Cluj Napoca, and Suceava areas.
rushmi007
Nafplio, Greece16 contributions
It is possible to visit Barsana and Nanesti from Baia mare on 4 and 5 January 2017? Is there any access for train and buses?
It is possible for round trip your also? THANKS
Marian R
Cypress, TX157 contributions
It is possible but the traffic might be difficult since the snow keeps falling these days !
In winter the landscape it's beautiful but in order for you to really enjoy the whole trip, travel in spring or summer !!!
Have a safe trip ! Happy New Year !!!
ÎľĎ
ĎĎ
ĎΚĎÎźÎνο ĎÎż νÎÎż ÎĎÎżĎ !
SakinWorld
Iasi, Romania1,398 contributions
Every day, 9:30 - 13:30 & 14:30 - 18:00. One holidays and sundays is from 13:00 to 18:00.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Wooden Churches of Maramures
- Hotels near Wooden Churches of Maramures:
- (0.05 km) Pensiunea Pajisti Verzi / Green Meadows Guest House
- (0.18 km) Piatra Soimului
- (0.38 km) Pensiune Restaurant La Cassa
- (0.29 km) Pensiunea Mallorca
- (0.34 km) Casa Bota
- Restaurants near Wooden Churches of Maramures:
- (0.39 km) La Cassa
- (0.34 km) Restaurant San Marco
- (0.76 km) Mignon Varietes du Monde
- (0.81 km) Caruso
- (0.75 km) Bistro Maya Cafe