The Municipality of Sighetu Marmației

Full days, from dusk ‘till dawn - we discover Vișeu de Sus The exploration of tourist resorts of local interest in Maramureș continues with Vişeu de Sus, a town where the confluence of Vaser Valley with Vişeu wove a rich story from a natural, historical, ethnographic and cultural point of view. The abundance of natural heritage that one can discover here has been summed up extremely comprehensively in the old name of the city, "Between the Rivers". If to the vast forests, crossed by valleys with streams that visually and acoustically accompany the fairytale landscape, we add the fact that the town of Vișeu de Sus is the second largest in the country, having into regard its surface, you can get an idea of ​​the splendor of this place. We would also like to mention the fact that it is one of the towns on whose administrative territories lies the Maramureș Mountains Natural Park, one of the most representative objectives in the natural heritage of the county. And whereas the entire Maramureș is a source of legends, it could not be that Vişeu de Sus did not have a story of its own, carried through time with the same care with which the people of Maramureș preserve everything relating them to the past, history and roots. The town is said to have been founded by a lumberjack who built a church on the site where his son had died. Like a fruitful seed, the place of worship gave birth to a growing community around it, and people came to make a spiritual covenant with the places that became their home. According to the local legend, this is how the green oasis, bathed in peace, which today we call Vișeu de Sus, appeared. We are convinced that if this destination is already among your travel plans, the main culprit for this is the steam train on the Vaser Valley, one of the main tourist attractions in the county. We have to agree that any visit to the land of Maramureș must have, as a stopping point, the steam train that puffs and moves slowly down the Vaser Valley. The narrow-gauge forest railway crosses 46.3 km and attracts thousands of curious tourists each year, who wish to experience a journey as it was almost 100 years ago, when the old locomotive was built. The steam train (Mocănița) is recognized as being the last forest railway that runs on steam and still serves the original purpose to this day, namely the transport of wood. We are aware that it is difficult for something to compete with the experience of traveling with the Mocănița, but we advise you not to limit yourself to only this, as the area has many other tourist treasures. It is said that the soul is the mirror of man, and the soul of the people here can best be described by the places of worship they have erected, as a manifestation of pure gratitude for the blessing of partaking in every new sunrise over the lands that provide them with shelter. The Orthodox Church "Annunciation" (Biserica ortodoxă „Bunavestire”) and the Roman Catholic Church "Saint Anne" (Biserica romano-catolică „Sfânta Ana”) are two of the pearls of the church tradition in this area, the particularly beautiful constructions being included in the list of historical monuments. We also mention eight other holy places, but also a monastery dedicated to the "Birth of the Virgin Mary". The large number of places of worship is not at all surprising should we take into account the fact that the people of Maramureș find refuge in the Divinity, both in times of prosperity and in times of hardship, as well. The list of architectural masterpieces, however, does not include only churches. It also includes the "Pop Simion House", which today houses the City Hall and the Local Council of the town of Vişeu de Sus, but also the building of the Technological High School No. 1. As emblems of the cultural heritage of the area we mention the Museum of History and Ethnography in Vişeu de Sus, the "Elephant House" Jewish Museum and the Documentary-Exhibition Center of the Maramureş Nobility. The permanent exhibition of the Museum of History and Ethnography brings to the public's attention approximately 800 exhibits out of the over 1100 held in the museum's collection. In the historical collection one can admire objects, illustrations, documents and archeological pieces that recreate the course of local history, while in the ethnographic one you will find pictures, work tools and household objects, elements of the folk costume, as well as exhibits reminiscent of the cultural and religious life of the people of this region. The "Elephant House" Jewish Museum is home to the last traditional Jewish wooden house in the area, that has survived the time, and houses a library-café, as well as interesting objects that have belonged to the Jewish community. The importance of this community is also reflected in the impressive Jewish cemetery in Vișeu de Sus, where dozens of specific funerary monuments can be seen. Last but not least, you have to cross the threshold of the Documentary-Exhibition Center of the Maramureş Nobility, which offers visitors a unique foray into the world of several personalities who have lived in this region. The library of the center shelters historical maps, Royal Diplomas, genealogical trees, but also other vintage documents, all telling for the past of Maramureș County.   We have to stop here because it is said that one cannot talk much without lying, and we have been taught from an early age to "speak honestly". We will end by telling you that the town of Vișeu de Sus is ideal for hiking and reconnecting with nature. It  is also a place where one can have fascinating experiences, as it is full of culture and history, and it is surrounded by an aura that invites you to explore it, shining differently but brilliantly in every season. Since we like you, we give you yet another tip: in June, the rhododendron blooms in the Maramureș Mountains, an EXTRAORDINARY chromatic show, which you must see with your own eyes! We’ve kept first row tickets for you!

We know you want to go on holiday, so we are waiting for you in Moisei! We have an unrefusable proposal for you, therefore we are inviting you to visit Moisei, the tourist resort of local interest, a piece of land cloaked in history by time, which dressed nature in an exquisite gown, and left people full of inexhaustible love for their ancestral land. Let us open our hearts and minds in front of the precious tourist treasure of Maramureș County. Depending on the chosen route, the road to Moisei may involve crossing the county, but we can promise you that your efforts shall be rewarded. On the administrative territory of Moisei township you will find two emblems of the natural setting of Maramureș: Rodna Mountains National Park and Maramureș Mountains Natural Park. They abound in protected areas that shelter rare species of flora and fauna, picturesque landscapes and a touch of the spirit of the communities guarded by the high peaks. For those of you who are eager to explore the natural richness of these mountains, there are many marked trails that allow you to discover, on foot or even on horseback, some spectacular areas and sights. In addition to hiking, the two nature parks offer options for mountain biking, paragliding or speleotourism, thus completing the portfolio of activities specific to mountain tourism, which can be enjoyed here. Now just imagine that, after a hike, you can relax at a picnic, in a rest stop arranged in the immediate vicinity of an impressive waterfall. You can enjoy the sound of the water rushing down the valley and the fairytale-like landscape at the Măgura waterfall, a tourist objective that has fairly recently discovered and furnished with pavilions and wooden benches, that have not, by any means, eradicated the natural beauty of the place, on the contrary they enhanced its attractiveness. The church tradition of these places is also strongly felt on the territory of the township, since there is a centuries-old monastery here. The ensemble of the monastery dedicated to the "Assumption of the Virgin Mary" shelters a small church, built of spruce wood in 1672, but also a newer walled church, built in 1911. An extremely famous school of iconographers  founded in the monastery, in the 17th century, whose history is carried forward by annual painting camps organized here, where children can learn the secrets of the sacred art. In addition to this holy place, the people of Moisei have erected four other places of worship, which speak of the eternal connection between man and Divinity.  If you get into Moisei locality, you must include the Memorial Ensemble of the Martyrs of Moisei on your itinerary. It is an extremely contrasting experience because, can either shatter and heal the visitors’ souls. The ensemble was erected in memory of the 29 Romanians who, in 1944, lost their lives in two wooden houses on the outskirts of Moisei, under the heavy fire of Hungarian troops. The memorial house shelters objects and photographs that belonged to the victims. A memorial ensemble, created by the sculptor Vida Géza, was erected above the common grave where the martyrs lay buried. The monument includes two human faces and ten traditional stone masks, with a symbolism related to sacrifice, redemption and injustices during the war. Although the remembrance of this fateful episode in the history of Moisei can weigh heavily on the hearts of visitors, keeping the memory of the martyrs alive is a small and natural token of respect for their sacrifice. Last but not least, we must tell you that Moisei gains points in terms of location, being a stone's throw from the Mocănița (steam train) on the Vaser Valley and the Borșa Resort, so you can add a few more days to your stay when you decide to discover this resort. The area is full of accommodation structures, each one more welcoming than the other, which will complete your stay. We will not say much about the delicious dishes that you can try here because it is understood that, once you are in Maramureș, in the land where people have hospitality running through their veins, every meal is transformed into a culinary feast. Now that we're done talking, you're free to visit!

Mogoșa Resort, one of the favorite destinations of tourists in Maramureș County, offers many leisure possibilities, specific to both the warm and cold seasons. In winter, Mogoșa Resort welcomes tourists with its ski slopes, while in summer, Bodi Lake, located at the foot of Mogoșa Peak, offers ideal conditions for swimming and leisure. 

Cavnic is worth visiting, but not only for skiing! Whenever we talk about Cavnic, the tourist resort of local interest, we tend to imagine ourselves on the slopes, in a setting dominated by white expanses and tall fir trees, powdered with snow. However, the town of Cavnic means much more than just winter sports, so our recommendation is to keep it on the list of destinations to visit in the warm season as well. The small mountain town has a rich history, which one can discover by visiting the town’s historic sites. Following the chronological order of events, we begin the discovery of Cavnic by admiring the glorious Pillar of the Tartars, an obelisk over 7 m high, bearing the inscription "Anno 1717 usque hic fuerunt tartari", meaning "In 1717, the Tartars arrived until here". This monument evokes the bravery with which the locals, backed by the peasants from Șurdești, succeeded to prevent the Tartars’ invasion in 1717. It is said that in order to defeat the Tartars, the people of Cavnic resorted to a unique method, dressed as brondoși (traditional costume), with masks and harnesses with bells, and thus frightened the horses of the enemies, making it impossible for them to advance. This event seems to have been the source of the custom of the locals to dress up as brondoși around Christmas, a tradition perpetuated to this day. In 1736, in memory of the resounding victory, a small reserve of larch was planted in the place called the King's Garden, and some of those secular specimens can still be admired.  We continue by talking about the spiritual dimension and submit to your attention a pearl of the church tradition in Cavnic, namely the church "St. Varvara". The patron saint of the place of worship was not chosen by chance, St. Varvara being the protector of the miners, but also of prisoners, geologists and architects. The erection of the church was completed more than two centuries ago, in 1812, but its decoration would be completed about a century later. The edifice surprises by the imposing turret, whose height exceeds 30 m, but also by the altar and the pulpit that were carved in massive salt. This holy place, between the walls of which thousands and thousands of prayers have been said, will reward one’s curiosity for having discovered it by instilling a natural state of inner peace and tranquility. Then we discover the period of glory of the town of Cavnic, which overlaps with the mining past of the settlement, an era of prosperity, when here miners would extract the purest gold in the world. Today one can see some of the places and buildings which are emblematic for the mining industry in the area. To begin with, we stop at the ruins of the gold foundry - "Logolda". The Logolda foundry was built in 1862 and soon became famous for its cyanide technology used to extract gold, a method which was used for the first time in this region of the world. Although this objective is worthy of attention and, with a proper arrangement, it could have become a magnet for tourists, it has not been the subject of any restoration process so far. Until this happens, however, it is worth taking the time to visit this place where the deserted, time-worn walls have given way to wildlife. Among the old technological archetypes of Cavnic, of a special historical importance is the flotation of non-ferrous metals, dated around 1810-1820, together with the housing complex and the administration of the Cavnic mine, erected between the 18th-20th centuries, in the Handal neighborhood. Due to their antiquity and, moreover, the importance they had in the industrial course of the town, all these are also on the list of heritage monuments. We do not yet leave the period when the town was an important mining center and we visit the Born and Papp Museum, a modest institution that pays homage to Ignaz Edler von Born, a renowned metallurgist dedicated to the study of minerals and Papp Simon, an illustrious geologist, whose name is linked to crude oil extraction technology. Here tourists will discover documents, photos, scientific papers, as well as a collection of minerals that belonged to the two personalities. The museum also houses a number of mining tools and objects. Although the mining industry brought undeniable economic benefits, hard work in the Cavnic mines is a lesser-known side of this story. In addition to the local labor force, political prisoners were also forced to work here, some of them perishing deep underground. A concrete monument was erected in 1993 in memory of the prisoners and leaders of the historical parties who were exploited in the Rainer Gallery between 1951-1955. Last but not least, we must talk about the appreciation for the picturesque landscape, surrounded by the mountains that guard the settlement, like imposing guards, but also by the trees that compete valiantly among each other to become one with the sky. From the resort, wherever one dares to go, one will be able to choose from the many hiking trails, well-trodden by curious nature lovers. All one has to do is come and enjoy an energy dose, by taking a deep breath of the harsh, clean mountain air, and letting yourself be carried away into a complete experience, with a rich history and even more wonderful nature.

The "Council of the Elders" is a statuary group made up of five characters, created by the artist Vida Gheza, in 1973. The work is located in front of the Administrative Palace in Baia Mare, being classified as a historical monument. The first version of the statuary group was made of wood, in 1972, and is currently in the collection of the "Artistic Center" Art County Museum in Baia Mare.  The Council of the Elders was a decision-making body that functioned in Maramureș from the medieval period until the beginning of the 20th century, according to the ancestral tradition.

The historical monument building where the great jurist, historian and academician Dr. Ioan Mihalyi of Apşa lived and created his valuable writings, reveals a double exhibition role. On the  ground floor, an Art Gallery of the Maramureș Museum has been arranged, inside which the works of great artists from Sighetu Marmației are exhibited, as well as works belonging to famous schools, from the country or abroad. An exhibition of local history and culture can be visited on the first floor of the building, as well as the museum-house set up in memory of Dr. Ioan Mihalyi of Apşa, open to the public since 1984. Ioan Mihalyi dedicated himself to researching and collecting medieval documents of Romanians from Maramureș, his efforts being included in the famous work "The History of Maramureș County, volume I, Maramureș Diplomas from the 14th and 15th century". Maintaining an air of antiquity which carries visitors into the past, the memorial house preserves the ambiance of the times when it hosted the meetings of the Association for the Culture of the Romanian People from Maramureş, also serving as headquarters for the "Dragoşiana" Reading Society. Here, one can also visit the library of the Association for the Culture of the Romanian People, as well as impressive collections of memoirs. 

The foundation stone of the settlement was laid in 1995, the church dedicated to the "Birth of the Virgin Mary" being completed three years later. The small cross-shaped place of worship was built of brick, the Byzantine-style interior painting being completed between 2000-2001. Over time, the ensemble was expanded with various other constructions. In 2015 the church was enlarged by adding a narthex and a Brâncovenesc-style porch. This blessed edifice, built by overcoming countless challenges, represents a veritable bridge to divinity.

The ruins of Logolda are reminiscent of the glory days of the mining town, when it is said that the purest gold in the world was extracted in Cavnic. The Logolda foundry was built in 1862 and soon became famous for the cyanide technology it used to extract gold, a method being used for the first time in this region of the world. Although the foundry ceased to function in the early 1900's, the stories created around it have endured.

In the immediate vicinity of Borșa town we find the largest geomorphologic, faunal and floristic nature Reserve in this part of Romania, which covers an area of ​​3,300 hectares. The Reserve includes an alpine meadow and the coniferous forests of the Stony Rodna Massif (Masivul Pietrosu Rodnei), revealing at the same time a glacial relief of a special importance.