The wooden church "Saint Nicholas" from Săliștea de Sus, Nistorești

Hearing the heart’s call, Baia Mare we shall explore We must admit that rural Maramureș is the favorite of tourists, but any route you would follow through our beautiful county must have as a starting point the urban center of Baia Mare, a city with a rich past and a promising future. It is no coincidence that we mentioned the rich past of the city, documented since 1329, which developed as a gold center during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Two fragments of the defense wall of the Baia Mare fortress can still be seen today in the city. One of them is in the immediate vicinity of the Maramureș County Museum of History and Archeology, while another fragment is visible on Podul Viilor Street, near the Săsar River. The fortification system was built in the time of Matthias Corvinus (Matei Corvin) and included four gates and seven towers, of which only the Butchers' Bastion survived until today. The latter's name comes from the butchers' guild, to which the bastion was entrusted, but it is also known as the Ammunition Bastion, as it served as a place to store ammunition to protect the fortress. The death of Pintea the Brave (Pintea Viteazu) is connected to this Bastion: he was shot near the South Gate of the city during the anti-Habsburg uprising. The Bastion currently hosts ethnographic and folklore exhibitions and fairs. The former Central Square of the city, known today as the Historic Center, also tells us about the past. Those who fall prey to the medieval air of the area, surrounded by centuries-old buildings, with the status of a historical monument, feel like in a time machine. The Iancu de Hunedoara House is such a building, that has carried the story of its erection across the centuries. It is joined by other architectural gems such as the Degenfeld House, the beautiful building of the former King Stephen's Hotel, the Agricultural House, the Harácsek House, the Lendvay House, the Husovski-Petrescu House or the Black Eagle Inn. No matter how beautiful all these buildings are, the star of the city remains Stephen’s Tower (Turnul Ștefan), located in the Citadel Square. Dating back to the 14th century, the Tower is a symbol of the city of Baia Mare, and has served as a bell tower for the former "Saint King Stephen" church. The construction of the massive stone tower with a height of 50 meters was ordered by John Hunyadi (Ioan de Hunedoara) to celebrate a victory. The moon clock, installed in 1928, completes the medieval characteristics of the monument. The bell, about five centuries old, found its place in the tower only in 1925. A total of 165 narrow stairs give access to the turret at the top, which reveals an unparalleled view over the city. On the southern side of the Citadel Square we also find the "Holy Trinity" Roman Catholic Church of the former Jesuit monastery, which was built in Baroque style between 1717-1720 and belonged to the Jesuits until 1773. On its facade are two side niches, with the statues of the Jesuit saints Ignatius of Loyola and Alois Gonzaga, but also a central one, where you can see the statue of St. Joseph holding the baby Jesus in his arms. The murals on the vault, made in the early twentieth century, are attributed to the painter Károly Kiss, while the painting of the main altar, made in 1823, is the work of the painter László Kármán. Not far from this place we find another historical monument of Baia Mare. It is the "Saint Antony of Padua" church (Sfântul Anton de Padova) in Liberty Square, which was erected in 1402 by the Order of Minorities, underwent extensive rehabilitation works in the 19th  century. The small place of worship is surprising due to its simplicity, having a modestly decorated interior. The altar painting is the work of the painter Megyeri Mayer, from Budapest. Another emblem of the city is the Reformed Church on Podul Viilor Street. It was built between 1792 and 1809, in Neoclassical style, its church tower, with a height of 50 meters, being erected in 1836. The place of worship with the red dome tower became, along with Stephen Tower, a symbol of Baia Mare. The interior of the church houses a beautiful priestly tribune built in 1786, an altar table completed in 1873, but also an organ made in 1828 and refurbished in 1891. Keeping the spiritual register, we turn our attention to the Evangelical Church. Although the conversion of the entire city of Baia Mare to the Reformed religion was recorded in 1547, the current Evangelical Church was built only in 1912, after the first church, built in 1693, was demolished and the second, built in 1805, was replaced. The current church was built in the Art Nouveau style and still houses the pews, organ and altar of the old church. The painting of the altar bears the signature of the painter Iványi Grünwald Béla, completed in 1903. Among the holy places are the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Adormirea Maicii Domnului) and the imposing Orthodox Episcopal Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, which today is 85 meters long, 50 meters wide and 85 meters high.  The city of Baia Mare also boasts a generous cultural offer. The Maramureș County Museum of Ethnography and Folk Art, “Victor Gorduza” County Museum of Mineralogy from Baia Mare, the Baia Mare Museum of Astronomical Sciences, the Maramureș County Museum of History and Archeology and the Maramureș County Museum of Art - Baia Mare Artistic Center - are some of the cultural institutions that greet their visitors with a unique museum background. Another representative place for the cultural life of Baia Mare is the Painters’ Colony (Colonia Pictorilor). For  over a century, it has been the meeting point for artists from the country and abroad, who have defined and refined their style at the Baia Mare School of Painting. The Painters’ Colony ensemble was included on the List of Historical Monuments in 2010, being subjected to a rehabilitation project that was completed in 2017. The exhibition complex reveals the identity of the Baia Mare artistic guild, in a space that combines the past with the present, being an expression of its continuity. Art lovers can also admire three statuary complexes in the city, namely the Monument dedicated to the Romanian Soldier (Monumentul Ostașului Român), the Council of the Elders (Sfatul Bătrânilor) and the Miner’s Statue (Statuia Minerului). Theater enthusiasts will not be bored in Baia Mare either, as they can opt for the performances of the two artistic institutions in the city, namely the Municipal Theater or the Puppet Theater.  And when you thought we had finished the journey through the tourist heritage of Baia Mare, we have kept some recommendations for those who want to enjoy nature. On the administrative territory of the city you will find the "Sweet Chestnut Tree Baia Mare" Natural Reserve, the Columns of Limpedea Reserve and the Firiza Dam, three attractions for those who prefer to spend time outdoors. If we were sober to the end, you would say that we are not true "moroșeni"- Maramureș dwellers, so we promise you that in our city you will find as much fun as possible, the nightlife being just as effervescent in the city at the foot of the Gutâi Mountains.  We finished talking / Now you are free to visit!

To mark an important moment in the past of the town of Cavnic, a 7.2 meter high obelisk was erected here, bearing the inscription that reads "Anno 1717 usque hic fuerunt tartari", meaning "In 1717, the Tartars arrived until here". The monument, located in the Erștiol neighborhood, evokes the bravery with which the locals, backed by the peasants from Șurdești, managed to prevent the invasion of the Tartars and thus, the devastation of the region.  Also known as the "Stone of the Tartars" or the "Written Stone", the historical monument has given birth to a legend about the victory it reiterates. It is said that in order to defeat the Tartars, the native people of Cavnic resorted to a unique method, dressed as brondoși (traditional folk costume), with masks and harnesses with bells, and thus frightened the horses of the enemies, making it impossible for them to advance. In memory of the victorious moment, the people of Cavnic keep the tradition alive and dress up as brondoși around Christmas.

The place of worship, erected in Cuhea at the beginning of the 16th century, was moved to Văleni at the end of the next century, being demolished in 1947. A series of wood-painted icons, recovered from the church, are today in the patrimony of the Maramureș Museum in Sighetu Marmației. Following the demolition, the wood of the church arrived to three destinations: Văleni, Cornești and Călinești. The edifice, built from the wood brought to Călinești, was placed in the parish yard in 2005. At the same time, the royal doors, the Holy Table, the Holy Ark and a series of flags were saved from the old church.

The famous whirlpools in the Chiuzbaia Valley were intended for washing the woolen fabrics, but were also used in the past by local miners, who would wash their clothes in a whirlpool when they came out of a mine. Even today, locals and others use such whirlpools, especially around the holidays, when they wash their carpets, rugs and coats in traditional oak water-powered washing machines.

The old whirlpool in Călinești can be  admired at the exit of the town, towards Sârbi, and is an emblem of the wood civilization in this area. The archaic installation, built of wood and powered by water, is still being used today by some of the locals. Whether some textiles are too big to be washed in modern washing machines or they want to continue the tradition of ecological washing, the locals manage to keep alive the secular custom of the whirlpools from Cosău Valley.

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.