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Maramures In Romania

Romania

The northwestern Romanian region of Maramures is home to many villages where century-old traditions are still part of daily life. This is the perfect place where you can feel the taste of ancients traditions, their guardiand beeing the inhabitants of this area.

Maramures villages are distinguished by their unique wooden churches with tall spires and shingled roofs. Woodlands still account for more than four-fifths of the land surface of Maramures. It is understandable, therefore, that wood has long been - and continues to be - the medium of expression for the region’s artisans. Elaborate woodcarvings decorate the eaves, entryways and windows of houses. The local handiwork is also seen in the hand-woven carpets and intricate embroidery that adorns folk dresses still worn by the locals.

The local craftsmanship can be best observed in the monumental Maramures gates, guarding the entry to the houses. Supported by three columns, they feature traditional ornamental motifs, including the sun and the twisted rope - both symbols of life and continuity. Some of the most beautiful wooden gates are found in the villages of Vadu Izei, Desesti, Giulesti, Budesti, Sarbi, Barsana and Oncesti. The villages of Barsana and Oncesti have, perhaps, the greatest number of impressive gates.

As it has for hundreds of years, social life in Maramures continues to revolve around the village church. The Wooden Churches of Maramures - in Surdesti, Plopis, Rogoz, Ieud, Poeinile Izei, Barsana, Budesti and Desesti - have been recognized by UNESCO as some of the most important sites of world heritage. Unique in shape and ornamentation, they have characteristic high roofs and tall, narrow, pointed steeples, often collectively describer as ‘the Gothic style of Maramures.’

If you are in Maramures, do not miss the visit of The Merry Cemetery, an unusual cemetery in Sapanta. became an open-air museum and a international tourist attraction, based on the belief of the immortality of the soul and the fact  that death is a moment filled with joy and anticipation for a better life. The visit of this place will let you meet this special technique of decorating the tombstones directly from the artist.

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