The wooden church "The Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel" from Rogoz
The wooden church "The Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel" from Rogoz

The wooden church "The Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel" from Rogoz

282, Rogoz 435611, Romania

About

Located right in the heart of Lăpuş Country, Rogoz village boasts one of the most beautiful wooden churches in Maramureş. It was erected in 1663, on the site of a church burned by the Tartars during their invasion in 1661 and legend says that it was built from two huge pieces of woods brought from Popii Hill. The church dedicated to the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel is, in general, part of the architecture specific to this region.

Unlike other churches, the Rogoz place of worship stands out through its harmonious asymmetry. The roof, on one level, is much lower in the northern part of the building, providing protection for a table designed to commemorate the dead. The monumental table consists of two beams and is delimited by segments, intended for various families, whose names are inscribed on the north wall of the church. These families respect the tradition and, every year, on Holy Thursday, they bring "dishes", leaving them on the table overnight, so that on the Friday of the Crucifixion of Christ be given to the poor.

The harmonious architectural lines gracefully blend with the unique decorative elements. In addition to the interesting three-ring coif, located above the steeple’s turret we find in Rogoz a beautiful entrance portal to the narthex and a twisted rope, broken by a solar symbol, which runs along the entire south wall.

Unique in Maramureş are, however, the ends of the beams that support the roof, carved in the shape of stylized horses. Those on the southern façade are considered, in the village, to be carriers of the Sun on the celestial vault, and those on the north side are considered carriers of the Sun at night, in the realm of the dead. The altar is provided with a circular window to the east, through which, between  August 1-15, the sun's rays penetrate and illuminate the table of the Holy Altar for 30 minutes. This characteristic individualizes it, placing it next to other monuments in the history of art, which direct the sun's rays towards important symbolic elements.

The monument outstands through the painting executed in 1785 by the painters Radu Munteanu and Nicolae Man. The iconographic appearance is close to the one in Deseşti and is very well preserved. It is interesting to follow one element from the Last Judgment, which is painted in the narthex, namely: the road to Heaven, on which the soul travels, accompanied by an angel. The theme is inspired by a folk belief that speaks of the trials that men go through after death in order to reach God. The church and the people of Rogoz village quickly introduce you into a fairytale world, where the natural and the supernatural seem to blend effortlessly.

Statut

Patrimoniu UNESCO

Photo Gallery

Similar Suggestions

5.0 1 review
The mixed nature reserve "Farcău Peak - Vinderelu Lake - Mihăilecu Peak" covers an area of ​​about 100 hectares and consists of meadows and lakes, bordered by two mountain peaks, revealing a very beautiful glacial relief. The Vinderelu Lake, one of the main attractions of this protected area, is an oval-shaped glacial lake, located at an altitude of 1615 m. The reserve also surprises with rare species of plants, such as edelweiss, bog bilberry, mouse-ear-hawkweed and spring crocus (lat.crocus vernus), which can be found on the meadows.
Vârful Farcău - Lacul Vinderelu - Vârful Mihăilecu, Romania
This Nature Reserve of floristic, faunistic and landscape type is located in the Maramureș Mountains and stands out because of a compact alpine meadow where Narcissus radiiflorus grow, but also other floral species specific to the relief. The best time to visit the protected area is in early July, when a carpet of wild daffodils magnificently covers the glade.
Located in the depression of the Igniș plateau, at an altitude of just under 1000 m, the Fir Trees Glade Marsh has been declared a protected area. The nature reserve includes an area of oligotrophic marshes, ideal for the development of a fauna specific to peat lands, but also meadows and areas covered with forests. The area is also known as the lowest altitude at which juniper grows in Romania. Many species of mammals, birds and reptiles find shelter in this picturesque nature reserve.
Giulesti, Romania
The Iezerul Mare Marsh protected area is a natural reserve of floristic and faunal type. Of the total well-preserved marsh area, which covers about 20 hectares, five hectares are protected by the law. The area includes a body of water surrounded by oligotrophic marshes, rich in peat-like vegetation. The reserve located on the plateau of the Igniș Mountains, at an altitude of 1,014 m, is the ideal habitat for many species of birds, mammals and reptiles, being a veritable monument of nature.
Desești, Romania
Located at an altitude of 1040 m, the oligotrophic marsh Tăul Negru is a protected natural area with special plant species, thus requiring the conservation of its biodiversity. The peat bog, which in some areas reaches heights between 1.8 and 3 m, has a blackish pond in its central part.
Baiut, Romania
The protected area is located in the Gutâi-Igniș Mountains and covers 15 hectares. Here we find the only andesite gorge in Romania, stretching across 700 m. The wild area and the Runcu creek, which smoothly runs through the gorge, enhance the beauty of the nature reserve. Unfortunately, once with the completion of works to the Runcu-Firiza dam, part of this picturesque area will be flooded.
DJ183A, Romania
Part of the administrative territory of Coroieni township, the geological nature reserve "Cheile Babei" includes the sector of gorges dug by the Poieni creek in Eocene limestone and covers an area of ​​about 15 hectares. The reserve is home to small waterfalls, canyons and a few caves, and is of great biological importance. In the area one can also admire the famous lime kilns used to burn quarry stone.
DJ109F, Târgu Lăpuș 437127, Romania
The small museum pays homage to Ignaz Edler von Born, a renowned metallurgist who studied minerals, and Papp Simon, an illustrious geologist whose name is linked to crude oil extraction technology. Ignaz von Born's expertise was recognized even by Empress Maria Theresa, for whom the metallurgist cataloged the minerals in the imperial collection. He also had a decisive contribution to the mercury amalgamation technology used to increase the purity of the extracted metals. His considerable contribution to the field he loved so much was recognized by the decision to name a mineral after him, namely bornite. Born's personality served as a muse for the composer W. A. ​​Mozart, who was inspired by the famous scholar, when he created the main character in the famous opera "The Magic Flute". Although his career in metallurgy was the one that brought Ignaz von Born his well-deserved success, he also distinguished himself as a satirical writer. Geologist Papp Simon, in turn, had a brilliant professional career, making himself known abroad, both through his geological mapping work and his significant contribution to the development of the oil industry. Today, in the patrimony of the museum arranged in honor of the two sons of Cavnic town, visitors can see numerous objects, such as documents, photographs, scientific papers, which keep their memory alive, as well as a collection of minerals that belonged to the two personalities. Also housed here are a series of mining tools and objects, reminiscent of the golden age of the small mining town, Cavnic.
Strada Eliberării, Cavnic 435300, Romania
Biserica de lemn „Sfinții Arhangheli Mihail și Gavril” a fost ridicată inițial în Țara Oașului, în perioada anului 1721. Lăcașul construit din lemn de stejar are dimensiuni modeste, turnul-clopotniță având de asemenea proporții reduse. Din pictura murală care împodobește pereții micuței biserici se mai disting doar fragmente. *Sursă foto: CJCPCT „Liviu Borlan” Maramureș
Șurdești 437332, Romania