Places

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".

Born in 1895, Ilie Lazăr distinguished himself as a lawyer and, above all, as a politician. He fought in the First World War, after which he was a member of the Romanian National Party in Hungary and Transylvania and then a deputy on behalf of the National Peasant Party. Dr. Ilie Lazăr is one of the historical personalities from these lands who contributed to the accomplishment of the Great Union, being delegated to the Great National Assembly in Alba Iulia. The memorial house from Giulești is also related to the historical period of the Great Union, here being summoned the members of the Maramureș delegation who then signed the union of Maramureș with Wallachia. The building, which is a monument of traditional architecture, was erected in 1826 and originally belonged to the Greek Catholic archpriest Vasile Mihalyi, and was later inherited by the Lazarus family. The house with oak soles and walls made of spruce beams combined in a "blockbau" system respects the traditional Maramures typology. Those who cross the threshold of the boyar house with six rooms will discover documents, photographs and manuscripts from the Union period, as well as an exhibition of local ethnography.

Elie Wiesel Memorial House is a special place that honors the memory of one of the most famous personalities of Maramureș. The first attempts to evoke the culture of Maramureș Jews took place in the early 70's, when the Maramureș Village Museum wished to represent the Jewish culture, an initiative that materialized through the restoration and arrangement of two houses that belonged to Jewish families. After the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded in 1986 to Professor Elie Wiesel, a survivor of the concentration camps that took the life of millions of Jews, efforts were made for many years to turn the house where he was born into a museum. The Elie Wiesel Memorial House, which opened its doors to the public only in 2002, is located right in the house where the famous novelist, playwright, essayist and memorialist lived until the age of 15, in one of the old Jewish neighborhoods in Sighetu-Marmației. After experiencing the horrors of Jews and other minority groups during World War II, Elie Wiesel published nearly 40 volumes describing the inhuman treatment of the victims of the Holocaust in Nazi extermination camps. In the rooms of the memorial house are exhibited pieces of furniture and decor that belonged to Jewish families, but also a reconstruction of Elie Wiesel's desk, along with documents and photographs on the life of the memorialist. Also, one of the rooms of the house evokes the consequences of the Vienna Dictate, which led to the deportation of Jews from Maramureș and one room presents the cultural relations that Elie Wiesel had with other personalities of the Jewish community in Sighetu Marmației. The courtyard of the house was arranged as a space for recreation and silence, a good place to contemplate the cruel truths revealed inside the museum.

The modest wooden house reproduces the unmistakable style of the master cross-maker, who made the name of Maramureș known throughout the world. The carpenter Stan Ioan Pătraș was only 14 years old when he started to transform pieces of oak into works of art, perfecting his style over time. Thus, the crosses he sculpted were no longer reminiscent of dull funerary monuments, his art combining folk craft with painting, sculpture and poetry. The vivid colors, the sculpted figures, but also the famous epitaphs that speak ironically about the fate of the dead, adorn more than 700 crosses made by Stan Ioan Pătraș. In addition to the famous crosses with epitaphs, the artist left behind other sculpted objects, as well as numerous painted icons. The tourist objective that pays homage to the life of the folk craftsman is located just a few hundred meters from the Merry Cemetery and consists of the house, the stable and the workshop in the yard, which belonged to the most famous artist of Săpânța. Inside the house you can see the specific furniture, along with household textiles, but also a significant collection of objects crafted with care and skill by Stan Ioan Pătraș himself. The story of the craftsman is carried forward not only by the works that bear his mark, but also by his successor, Dumitru Tincu Pop, who continues his work, restoring old crosses and creating new ones, in the same "Săpânța blue", according to artistic canons passed down from his master.

The beautiful waterfall offering an unsurpassed spectacle is located on the northern slope of the Rodna Mountains, revealing several steps with successive falls. At an altitude of 1300 meters and with a total length of 90 meters, the waterfall that flows on the spectacular abrupt called "Horses Bridge" (Podul Cailor) is the longest in Romania. In addition to the fairytale landscape, the mystical air of the Horses Waterfall is also enhanced by the three legends which were created about it. The first of these legends relates the name of the waterfall to a herd of horses, sent to these lands from the other realm. According to the second legend, the name of the waterfall refers to a herd of wild horses which, being chased by numerous bears in the area, would fall into the deep abyss. The third legend recalls the turbulent period of the 1700s, marked by the invasion of the Tartars. It is said that in order to escape the wrath of the invaders, the most beautiful horses of the community would have thrown themselves into the abyss, originally the waterfall was formed from the tears of the people in Borșa, who mourned the animals lost for a long time afterwards. Access to this veritable masterpiece of nature is made available from several directions, the easiest being with the chairlift, from the Borșa Tourist Complex. For additional information:  Borșa National Centre for Tourist Information and Promotion Phone: +40 262 343 973 E-mail: info@infoborsa.ro

Șipot Waterfall is located at the exit from Săpânța, Maramureș County, on the road to Negrești - Oaș. There are several waterfalls on the Nadoșa Valley, the Șipot Waterfall being the largest of them, overflowing over a rock with a height of about 7-8 meters. The tourist route has a low degree of difficulty, and can be crossed both on foot and by off-road vehicles. It is located in a deciduous forest that offers tourists unique displays of color, regardless of the season. The hiking area is very well known by enthusiasts of the spring water called borcut, due to its ferruginous springs rich in natural minerals.

The Museum of Nobility proposes a unique glimpse into the world of personalities who have honored this region. The center's library houses historical maps, Royal Diplomas, family trees, but also other period documents, all telling for the past of Maramureș County.

Almost three centuries old, the Jewish cemetery in Ieud is a testament to the history of the Jews in these places, where both the graves of ordinary people and prominent representatives of the Jewish community are located. The cemetery surprises with its shape, size and ornamentation of tombstones, which are decorated with motifs such as: lion, bear, deer, bird, griffin, menorah, tree of life, hands of blessing, Torah or crown. This objective has a special historical and ethnographic value, being among the most famous attractions of the township.

The cemetery, where 54 detainees who passed in the political prison are believed to have been buried, part of the Memorial to the Victims of Communism and the Resistance, is surrounded by fir trees displayed in the shape of Romania. At the point where the town of Sighetu Marmației is located, an altar-cenotaph was erected on this map, behind which a Byzantine-style cross was placed. The cemetery also houses memorial plaques, a Memorial Gate, crucifixes, and urns containing earth brought from various prisons, camps, and deportation centers.

By far one of the most famous tourist attractions of Maramureș County, the Merry Cemetery in Săpânța is a unique place in the world, which fades away the boundaries between the worlds and brings a glimpse of optimism over the perception of death, and removes the element of classic tragedy. Becoming, once with the increasing awareness, a veritable open-air museum, the cemetery that replaced the oppressive gray of the funerary monuments by the already famous "Săpânța Blue", surprises at every step. The specificity of the Merry Cemetery is given by the fruit of the lifelong work of the carpenter Stan Ioan Pătraș, from whose gifted hands genuine artwork was created. After the passing of the master cross-maker, his legacy is carried on by his successor, Dumitru Tincu Pop, who continues his work. About 800 crosses, brightly colored and carefully carved, complete this valuable heritage site. In addition to the specific colors and unique bas-reliefs, what make the crosses remarkable are the epitaphs describing  sometimes in a funny register, events from the life of the deceased. 

The museum that houses the collection was inaugurated in 2019, through a joint effort of the Foundation of Ukrainian Hutsuls from Romania and the Sinaptica Association - Maramureș. The small museum was arranged in a former annex household  and houses objects specific to the traditional culture of the Hutsuls. The objects, old inscriptions and photographs on display reflect the material culture and the very identity of the Hutsuls, the Ukrainian community to which this ethnic subgroup belongs, having a well-established presence in this region. The museum-type collection also includes works of contemporary art that describe the cultural and ethnographic richness of the Ruscova Valley, a place of special beauty.  

Located in the northern tip of Romania, the town of Sighetu Marmației is famous as the place where "the map hangs by the pin", which is why a nail-shaped monument was placed here, with a height of about two meters. The unique monument that can be seen in the historic area of ​​the city, soon became one of the main tourist attractions.

The monumental spindle on Babelor Hill is about 14 meters long and was made of oak wood by craftsman Petru Godja. This objective pays homage to the bravery of the women who withstood the Tartars in the 1717 invasion. On the four sides of the spindle, four figures of women can be seen, who embody the warrior woman, the hardworking woman, the mother and the widow, in an attempt to capture the personalities of the local brave women who defended their community.

The picturesque lake in the Rodna Mountains, famous for its shape that resembles the map of Romania, is located at an altitude of 1825 m height. Spread over an area of ​​3450 m2, the clear blue lake originates from two natural springs. Above the lake sits Pietrosu Peak, at an altitude of 2303 meters, which is also the highest peak of the Eastern Carpathians.

Located at the foot of Gârgalău Peak, at an altitude of over 1650 meters, Știol Lake is a glacial lake, around which springs the upper course of the river Bistrița, known as Golden Bistrița (Bistrița Aurie). The Știol Lake can be reached by following several routes that start from the area of ​​the Borșa Tourist Resort. 

The monastery dedicated to the "Council of Saints of the 12 Apostles" is one of the most beloved attractions of Maramureș. This magnificent place brings the sky closer to the earth and the people closer to divinity, being an endless source of inner peace and serenity.  Although there are documents that refer to the Bârsana Monastery dating back to 1390, the current ensemble of this monastery was built in 1993, on the location of an older one, currently included in the UNESCO World Heritage and relocated on the Jbârului Bridges (Podurile Jbârului). The Bârsana Monastery ensemble currently includes: the Maramureș-style wooden church, the Summer Altar, the Holy Water room (Aghiasmatarul), the Abbot’s House (Stăreția), the Voivodal House, the Nuns’ House, the Artist's House, the Priest's House, the Xenodochium (Arhondaricul), the Mess hall (Prăznicarul cu trapeza), the Bell Tower, the Maramureș-style Gate, the Funerary Monument, wooden crosses, the pond, the footbridge over the pond, alleys leading to various objectives and more.  The wooden church erected in 1993 is an imposing one, measuring 57 meters in height, 23 meters in lenght and 12.5 meters in width, dimensions that place it in the top of the tallest wooden constructions in Europe. The building comprises two levels, namely the basement, where the large chapel of the monastery is located and the ground floor, which houses the church itself. The building with a trefoil layout and two polygonal apses consists of an altar, a nave, a narthex and a wooden porch, decorated with Maramureș motifs. Above the narthex rises the tower with turret and long spire. The walls of the basement are covered in frescoes, made by the painter Ioan Botiș, but so far the walls of the church itself have not been painted. The roof of the church has double eaves and is covered with fir wood shingles. 

The construction of the monastery began in 1999, the settlement welcoming its first inhabitants only in 2008. The entire monastic complex was erected in honor of the heroes who fell in the two World Wars, some of them being buried in the cemetery near the monastery. The ensemble of the monastery includes the walled church, the sleeping rooms and a marble crucifix. The church of Prislop Monastery has two patronages: the "Transfiguration" and the "Holy Trinity". Its iconostasis was carved in lime wood, the icons that adorn it being painted in Târgu Frumos.

The monastery dedicated to "Saints Michael and Gabriel" was founded in 1997, the ensemble being built mainly of oak and fir wood. The church of the monastery is surprising in size, with a height of 78 meters, a figure that places it in the top of the tallest wooden buildings in Europe. At the same time, it stands out because of its special architecture, with a pentagonal porch, a basement and a 3-storey floor. The cross of the church, which is seven meters high, was gold-plated, using four kilograms of gold.

The monastery dedicated to the "Transfiguration" from  Botiza is a monastic settlement of nuns, built in the shape of a cross, whose construction started in the early 90's. The complex was built of fir wood on a concrete foundation and has specific Maramureș decorations. Although it was originally covered with tin, today the monastery has a shingled roof. The church within the settlement was consecrated in 2007 and has a beautiful interior decorated with biblical scenes, painted in neo-Byzantine style. The monastery also houses an icon that is said to be a miracle worker. 

The monastic ensemble dedicated to the "Holy Three Hierarchs" was founded in 2003, on the site where centuries ago the "Recea Monastery" was founded. The harmonious proportions, the imposing tower and the beauty of the ornaments place this monument of the church tradition in the top of the most appreciated holy wooden places of worship in Maramureș County.

The Memorial to the Victims of Communism and the Resistance, one of the landmarks of our county, was opened in memory of the injustices of a dictatorial regime, but also of the souls who fell prey to it and which we must not forget. The idea of ​​establishing this Memorial, which is a "means of reviving the collective memory", began to materialize in 1993, through the initiatives of the Civic Academy Foundation, the proposal of the framework project to the Council of Europe being made by Ana Blandiana. After years of hard work, the Memorial was inaugurated on June 20th, 1997, each cell became a museum hall, that describes chronologically or thematically the steep price paid by Eastern European nations under the terror of the communist regime. In one of the courtyards of the former prison you can visit a Space of Recollection and Prayer designed by the architect Radu Mihăilescu, a place where ancient aesthetics intertwine with modern aesthetics, in a silent cry of suffering endured by the nearly 8,000 prisoners who ended up in prisons, camps and deportation facilities in Romania and whose names were engraved on the walls of the descent ramp. The Memorial to the Victims of Communism and the Resistance houses several works of art that ennoble the space and amplify the deeply emotional experience felt by the visitors to this place. The most extensive work that can be seen here is the statuary group "The Procession of the Sacrificed" (Cortegiul Sacrificaților), which bears the signature of the sculptor Aurel I. Vlad and evokes the impact of the communist regime on people's lives. The museum also includes the Cemetery of the Poor, located about two kilometers outside the city, where it is said that 54 prisoners were buried after dying in the political prison.

Anyone who visits the land of Maramureș must board the train that puffs and meanders slowly on the Vaser Valley. This narrow-gauge railway used for transport of woods in Maramureș County is located in northern Romania, close to the border with Ukraine and stretches over an area of 46.3 km. The steam train in the Vaser Valley attracts thousands of tourists every year, willing to experience a journey, as it was almost 100 years ago, when the old locomotive was built, being recognized as the last forest railway powered by steam. In fact, in addition to the tourist component, the steam train still serves its original purpose to this day, namely the transport of wood. The route of the steam train starts in the Vişeu de Sus Railway Station, which has been operating since 1930. At kilometer 21.6 of the forest railway, the train stops at Paltin station, giving tourists enough time for a picnic or a short hike, before returning to the starting point.

Wandering around this town  In the place where the map is pined. Although our thoughts come rushing in heads, when we think of all the sights in Sighetu Marmatiei, the Memorial to the Victims of Communism and Resistance stands out, first of all because here one can still hear the silent cry of suffering endured by those who fell prey to the injustices of a dictatorial regime. Each cell of the former prison was arranged as a museum hall, describing chronologically or thematically the terror of the communist regime. In one of the memorial courtyards one can visit a Space of Recollection and Prayer, built in memory of the almost 8000 detainees who were taken to prisons, camps and deportation facilities in Romania. The museum houses several works of art that ennoble the space and amplify the deeply emotional experience that visitors to this place feel, the largest work being the statuary group called the "Sacrifice Procession" (Cortegiul Sacrificaților). The museum also includes the Cemetery of the Poor, where it is said that 54 detainees were buried. It is surrounded by fir trees laid out in the shape of Romania, and at the point where the town of Sighetu Marmației is found on this map, an altar-cenotaph has been erected, behind which a magnificent Byzantine-style cross was placed.  Among the gems of the Sighetu Marmației museum, we find the departments of the Maramureș Museum, an institution under the aegis of which are found some of the most interesting collections. No visitor to Maramureș can miss the opportunity to admire a true example of traditional local architecture, comprised of over 40 heritage objects exhibited in the Maramureș Village Museum. This experience must be completed by visiting the Ethnographic Museum of Maramureș, whose collections enrich the traditional image of the villages of Maramureș. The foray into the natural richness of the Maramureș Depression can be truly impressive, highlighted by the valuable exhibits of plants, vertebrates, fungi, minerals, rocks and fossils, found in the Department of Natural Sciences. We also suggest a time travel, which goes back to the Neolithic and is made possible by exploring the museum of the Department of History and Archeology. The next stop is the Department of History of Culture - Memorial - Art - Dr. Ioan Mihalyi de Apşa Museum House, right in the building where the great Romanian historian lived and created his work. Of course, we cannot forget the Museum of Jewish Culture and Civilization in Maramureș - Elie Wiesel Memorial House, and we invite you to cross the threshold of the house, where the famous novelist, playwright, essayist and memorialist and Nobel Peace Prize winner lived up to the age of 15. The Jewish cemetery, the largest of the 52 existing in Historic Maramureș, also reminds us of the Jewish culture. It houses tombstones that are hundreds of years old, as well as the famous Soap Monument, erected in memory of Jews who ended up in Nazi extermination camps. We know that many of the sites already proposed can be overwhelming, as only a cold-hearted person could remain indifferent to the torments of those times that are not long gone by, which is why we offer you some suggestions of recollection, in the most beautiful holy places in Sighetu Marmației. The Ukrainian Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Înălțarea Sfintei Cruci), the Piarist Monastery, the Church of the Assumption (Adormirea Maicii Domnului), the Reformed Church and the New Sephardic Synagogue are some of the centuries old places of worship that promise to take the burden of an unhealthy history off your shoulders and introduce you to the cultural and spiritual variety of the area.  A special place among the attractions of the city is held by architectural monuments which, however numerous, seem to be constantly competing for the tourist’s attention.  The Comitatens Court, Reduta Palace, Astra Cultural Palace, Szabó Aurel Palace, Caryatid House, the office of the Freemasonry Lodge, Darvay House, as well as the Pedagogical High School buildings, Dragoș Vodă, Leowey Klara and Taraș Sevcenko, are some of the architectural gems that combine styles, visions and many stories passed down through the hourglass of time. When the mist of current threats ceases to overwhelm us, you will be able to fully enjoy the cultural life of Sighetu Marmației, which boasts two fairytale-like festivals. The "Aeternus Maramorosiensis" Ancient and Medieval Festival reproduce an ancestral atmosphere, through a varied program, including pyrotechnic performances, concerts, competitions and exhibitions. The second event with tradition here is the "Marmaţia" Festival of Winter Traditions and Customs, a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the way Maramureș locals prepare for, feel and enjoy the most beautiful holiday season of the year.   After all these experiences, we want to end in a happy register and we invite you to see with your own eyes the nail on which the map hangs, a monument about two meters high, which plastically reproduces the reputation of Sighetu Marmației, known as "the place where the map hangs from the pin"„locul în care se agață harta-n cui”.. If you have stayed by our side this far, all we have to do is tell you that hosting guests suits us best and the traveler should be well on his way. In other words, we look forward to seeing you!

Part of the Maramureș and Bucovina Carpathians, the mountains surprise by the fairytale landscapes, dominated by coniferous and deciduous forests, but also by pastures. Although the highest peak of this mountainous group is Gutâiul Mare, with a height of 1,443 meters, the favorite of tourists is the Rooster’s Ridge Peak (Vârful Creasta Cocoșului), near which, over an area of ​​about 50 hectares, lies an impressive mixed nature reserve. In addition to the Rooster’s Ridge, the Gutâi Mountains are home to nine other areas with nature reserve status.

The Maramureș Mountains group is part of the Maramureș and Bucovina Carpathians and extends to both Romania and Ukraine. On the Romanian territory, Farcău Peak is the highest peak, reaching 1,957 meters. A considerable territory in the Maramureș Mountains has been declared a protected area, constituting the largest natural park in Romania. Maramureș Mountains Natural Park includes four nature reserves, which overlap over two Natura 2000 sites, where we find 171 kilometers of marked tourist routes.

The Rodna Mountains reach the highest altitudes in the Eastern Carpathians, Pietrosu Peak measuring 2,303 m in height. Here you can explore the second largest national park in Romania, which has the most beautiful glacial landscapes. Within this park there are three strictly protected areas and four areas of full protection, and you can enjoy a beautiful landscape, and the presence of several extremely rare species of flora and fauna.

The Museum of Icons and Old Books "Bishop Gavril of Bârsana" is part of the ensemble of the Bârsana Monastery, one of the spiritual landmarks of Maramureș, whose functions were completed in 2005, by the opening of a museum exhibiting church art and an ethnographic collection. The three-storey building in which the museum operates was the twelfth erected as part of the monastery as a whole, falling within the architectural typology specific to the area, which can be seen in the other monastic edifices, all sharing a perfect stylistic unity. Religious iconography and weaving workshops have been set up in the basement, where the skilled hands of the nuns create true works of art, while on the ground floor, old books and icons are displayed in glass cases. The holy books and manuscripts exhibited here date from the 16th to 19th centuries and are a veritable treasure trove. Upstairs you can visit a local ethnographic exhibition, which further strengthens the authentic Maramureș spirit one can feel throughout the monastic ensemble.

The institution was inaugurated on December 1st, 2003 and operates under the administration of the Vișeu de Sus Cultural-Social Center, having a rich and important patrimony that includes over 1100 pieces. The foundations of the museum's collections were laid around 1970 in the local schools. The permanent exhibition of the museum is structured in two departments, history and ethnography, and brings to the public's attention approximately 800 exhibits of those held in the museum’s collection. The historical collection consists of objects, illustrations, documents and archeological pieces that recreate the course of local history, while the ethnographic collection includes pictures, work tools and household objects, elements of the folk costume, as well as exhibits reminiscent of cultural life and of the people of this region. Although it speaks about the past, the Museum of History and Ethnography in Vișeu de Sus is a tourist attraction that currently awakens great interest, which has preserved fragments from our material and spiritual heritage that we have a duty to perpetuate.  

The Ethnographic Museum of Maramureş is housed in an imposing building, which represents a historical and architectural monument. Although the efforts to organize an ethnographic collection with Maramureș exhibits go further back in time, the Ethnographic Museum of Maramureş was inaugurated in 1926. Unfortunately, in the years following the Vienna Dictate, a significant part of the institution's collections was lost, the local museum being re-established only in 1954, with the careful involvement of Francisc Nistor, famous ethnographer, archaeologist, teacher and photographer. The permanent ethnographic exhibition, which can be seen today, opened its doors to the public in 1971. It included objects used in agriculture or pastoralism, but also for manufacture of various textiles, all these exhibits illustrating the specific occupations of the people living in the Maramureș area. Also, traditional pieces of furniture, elements of folk costumes, ceramic pieces, as well as a collection of authentic masks, specific to the winter holidays traditions in Maramureș are presented in this permanent exhibition. Those who visit this important tourist objective have the opportunity to admire religious art objects used in the church traditions of Maramureș. The whole exhibition is an illustration of the life of the simple peasant from Maramureș, with all its natural stages.

The museum was inaugurated in 2011 and is set up in a preserved traditional Jewish house. The "Elephant House", a testimony of the Jewish community in the area, showcases objects in a unique library-café. 

The History-Archeology Department of the Maramureș Museum operates in a beautiful historical monument building which is almost 300 years old. This department of the Museum of Maramureș brings to the attention of visitors the exhibition entitled "Sighetu-Marmației - 680", which first opened its doors to the public in 2006. The valuable museum collection includes Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic exhibits, as well as one of the more comprehensive collections from the Bronze Age, comprising over 140 exhibits. The collection of knives and firearms, which still bear the marks of the conflicts that have left deep wounds in our past, is particularly interesting. Here, visitors can observe pages from the history of Sighet, the documents exhibited recreate the course of the political, economic and cultural life of this area, from the Middle Ages to the present day. The historical testimonies take us through the key moments of our national past, such as the Great Union that gave life to the centuries-old wish of our people, the horrors of the Second World War or the turning point of the Revolution of December 1989. The museum's efforts to preserve and promote Romanian cultural values ​​were recognized in 2020, when the institution was awarded the Anniversary Medal "Centenary of the Great Union", conferred by the President of Romania, Mr. Klaus Iohannis.

The Natural Sciences Department of the Maramureș Museum is located in the complex of buildings, in the Liberty Square (Piața Libertății). The history of this institution goes back to 1899, when a two department’s museum was established in Sighetu Marmației: Natural Sciences and History. The First World War led to the closing of the institution, with the museum's current collection containing only two exhibits that have survived the passage of time, namely a naturalized black goat and a mammoth molar. The current department of the museum was founded in 1968 and, through its valuable exhibits of plants, vertebrates, fungi, minerals, rocks and fossils, it illustrates the surprising natural richness of the Maramureș Depression. The flora and fauna of this area are captured in the over 17,000 leaves of grass which are part of the "Artur Coman Herbarium", named after the famous Borșa native, who dedicated himself to this field of research, while the collection of vertebrates includes about 96% of the species found here. More than 1000 samples of minerals, mine flowers and fossils, as well as the more than 1300 samples of macromycetes from the fungi collection are added to this collection.

Right on the border of Maramureș County with Suceava County we find the Roots Museum, a unique exhibition that reveals the lifelong passion of Ștefan Grec, the local man who has dedicated the last 40 years to collecting tree roots with unique shape. Those more than 100 processed exhibits within the collection are sheltered in a modest old house covered with shingles. Each one of the bizarre roots found here bear the name given by the collector himself, depending on what each exhibit inspires. In addition to the impressive collection of roots, this museum located in the heart of the mountains also has a room where military objects belonging to the soldiers of the two World Wars are exhibited. These objects were found in the surrounding forests, from where the famous roots originate as well. Here, tourists can also admire small exhibitions of old banknotes, eggs decorated with Maramureș and Bucovina motifs, but also "mine flowers" (mine rocks). 

Opened to the public in 1981, the museum, which originally looked like a scattered village, now has more than 40 heritage sites. The oldest building that enriches the museum's collection is the church, moved here from Oncești, where it was brought from the village of Criciova, on the right bank of the Tisza River. The painting of the place, dating from the 16th century, was remade in 1802. The traditional architectural monuments in the museum were arranged so as to describe the specificity of the subzones Cosău - Mara and Lower Iza, Middle Iza, Vişeu - Borşa, Tisza and the Ruscova basin, from Historic Maramureș. The houses and outbuildings were made of wood on a stone foundation or boulders, maintaining a simple floor layout. Each building illustrates the social status of the owners, either through inscriptions or through specific decorative elements. It should also be mentioned that this museum is a true example of the Maramureș village, showcasing houses specific to ethnic minorities in these areas: Jews, Hungarians, Germans, and Ukrainians. The inside of the houses is traditionally decorated, some preserving the original pieces of furniture and others having original features. The museum, included in the ICOM and UNESCO networks, hosted the 16th Conference of the European Association of Open Air Museums in 1993, and the European conference entitled "The Wood Route in Europe" in 2000. One year later, the institution received the "Gheorghe Focşa" Award from the Ministry of Culture and Cults, and in 2019 it was included in the top museums in Romania, according to the prestigious Michelin Guide.