Home Places The wooden church "St. Nicholas" from Budeşti-Josani

The wooden church "St. Nicholas" from Budeşti-Josani

DJ186B, Budești 437070, Romania

About

The rich forests in the area of the Cosău River offered the people the wood used for the construction of the beautiful church in Budeşti-Josani, located about 30 km south of Sighetu Marmaţiei, in the direction of the Cavnic town. Dedicated to Saint Nicoară - the folk name of Saint Nicholas - the edifice was erected in 1642 and is part of the group of large churches in Maramureş.

Erected in the first part of the 17th century, the church witnessed the rebellion against the House of Austria of the Transylvanian prince, Francisc Rakoczi. He was backed up by the famous Maramureş outlaw, Pintea the Brave (Pintea Viteazul). The revolt was defeated and Pintea was killed during the siege of Baia Mare, but the name of the beloved outlaw will forever remain linked to the church in Budeşti-Josani, where some of its chainmail are exposed. Here you can also see a flag of Rakoczi, the prince who was supported by Pintea.

The monument is located on the top of a hill, in the middle of the cemetery. A traditional Maramureş gate opens the path, guarded by the graves of the ancestors.

The rich forests in the area of the Cosău River provided the people wood for the construction of the beautiful church in Budeşti-Josani, located about 30 km south of Sighetu Marmaţiei, in the direction of the Cavnic town. Dedicated to Saint Nicoară - the folk name of Saint Nicholas - the edifice was erected in 1642 and is part of the group of large churches in Maramureş.

The architecture of the building is notable for its dimensions (18 meters long and 9 meters wide), the technical solution chosen to support the walls and the tiered roof. The walls and the roof are harmoniously joined, so that the two ridges of the roof surround the church, from the narthex to the altar. Also, the joints at the corners represent veritable masterpieces, extended by consoles far protruding, in order to support the flared roof.

The bell tower distinguishes itself from those of other churches in Maramureș, being provided with a pavilion much extended on the outside and topped by a wrought iron cross. The main spire is flanked, at the base, by four small spires, symbolizing the Council of the Elders held in the village of Budeşti, in old days. The door of the place of worship has a monumental frame, whose ornaments include a series of carefully arranged motifs.

Iconographically, the church is a perfect example of post-Byzantine tradition – expressed by the painting of Alexandru Ponehalschi, from 1762 - but also of Baroque influence, present in the altar painting, done in 1812 by Ioan Opriş. The south wall of the nave stands apart thanks to the image of the prophet Elijah (Ilie) ascending to heaven in a chariot of fire. Visitors shall discover in Budeşti-Josani an important collection of wood carved and glass icons, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, which are striking through their harmony of colors and the simplicity of the lines. One of them is inscribed with the following text: "This icon was made by the too-sinful George".

Statut

Patrimoniu UNESCO

Photo Gallery

Similar Suggestions

Biserica de zid Obiective turistice

The Roman-Catholic Church "St. Varvara" from Cavnic

Although its construction began in 1800, the "St. Varvara" church was completed only in 1812. Its decoration was carried out almost a century later, the painting of the interior walls dating from 1909. The edifice stands out through the 34 m high turret, but also by the fact that the altar and the pulpit were carved in massive salt. The patron saint of this church was not chosen by chance, St. Varvara being the protector of the miners, but also of prisoners, geologists and architects.

Strada Eliberării 57, Cavnic 435300, Romania

Biserica de zid Obiective turistice

The Reformed Church in Berchez

The Reformed Church in Berchez surprises by the antiquity of the foundation on which it was built, which is dated around the 15th century. Over time, the edifice has undergone several stages of rehabilitation, the current nave being erected in 1804. The church shelters an impressive pipe organ, built in 1904.

DJ182B, Berchez 437231, Romania

Biserica de lemn Obiective turistice

The wooden church "The Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel" from Remetea Chioarului

Erected in the 18th century, the wooden church from Remetea Chioarului originally had the name "St. Nicholas". Architecturally, the church has a rectangular layout, a detached, pentagonal altar apsis and a two-sided roof. The turret has a square layout, a mid-level and a console-type balcony. Visitors can admire the vegetal motifs painted on the interior walls, which still bear traces of the original painting.

DJ182B 127, Remetea Chioarului 437230, Romania

Biserica de lemn Obiective turistice

Biserica de lemn „Sfinții Arhangheli Mihail și Gavril” din Culcea

Ridicată în anul 1720 pe un deal din partea de vest a satului, Biserica de lemn „Sfinții Arhangheli Mihail şi Gavril” din Culcea este constituită din pridvor, pronaos, naos și altar poligonal. Acoperișul este șindreluit, iar turnul cu turla conică este amplasat deasupra pronaosului. Din păcate pictura interioară se află într-o stare de degradare avansată, motiv pentru care nu poate fi restaurată.

Culcea, Romania

Biserica de lemn Obiective turistice

The wooden church "Saint Nicholas" from Cornești

The wooden church "Saint Nicholas" from Cornești dates from 1615, yet dendrochronological research has revealed that the altar was built a century later. It is a classic Maramureș church, first of all because of the two skirts of the roof. The interior is decorated with canvas paintings plastered on wooden walls.

Cornești, Romania

Biserica de lemn Obiective turistice

The wooden church "Saint Nicholas" from Boiereni

The wooden church "Saint Nicholas" dates from the 18th century. The monograph of the Lăpuș Archdiocese records the fact that the church was offered as a gift to the faithful people living in Boiereni by those from Suciu de Jos, in 1882. The oak edifice is modest in size, being covered with shingles, and the turret with galvanized sheet metal. Inside, the original painting has been preserved on the vault, in the nave and altar.

Boiereni 435601, Romania

Biserica de lemn Obiective turistice

The wooden church "St. Elijah" from Posta

The wooden church "St. Elijah" in Posta dates from 1675 and is part of the typology of Maramureș churches by its harmonious proportions. Four oak pillars support the porch, while the roof highlights the turret, which is 30 m high. The crosses on top of the turrets are also adorned with the crescent moon symbol, which evokes the Turkish influence. Inside, on the vault, visitors can admire several scenes from the painting made in 1781. The holy doors of the church, adorned with floral motifs, are also of particular beauty.

Posta, Romania

Biserica de lemn Obiective turistice

The wooden church "The birth of the Blessed Virgin" from Remecioara

Erected in the 19th century, the wooden church "The birth of the Blessed Virgin" has undergone several restoration processes, being covered in shingles and renovated on the outside in 2001. The church turret is only 12 m high, being provided with a closed steeple, above which rises a pyramidal coif with a cross at the top. The interior painting was made in 1862 by the painter Paul Weisz from Baia Mare, being preserved in good condition.

Remecioara 437234, Romania

Biserica de lemn Obiective turistice

The wooden church "The birth of the Virgin Mary" from Călinești Căieni

The wooden church "The birth of the Virgin Mary" from Călinești Căieni was made in 1663 from oak wood and later on, in the 19th century, was extended using fir wood. The interior of the church stands out through the set of murals made by Alexandru Ponehalschi.

Călinești 437075, Romania