Cluj County

Description:

Geographical situation

                It is located in the north-western part of Romania, in the heart of Transylvania, on the basin of Somesul Mic.

 

Neighbours

                In the north: Maramures  County, in the north-west: Salaj County, in the east: Bistrita-Nasaud County, in the west: Bihor County, in the south: AIba County.

 

Surface

                6,674 square km (respectively 2,8% of the country's territory).

Population

                727,000 inhabitants.

 

Relief

                It is mainly composed of hills (2/3 of the total surface), the rest is covered with mountains (in south-west, they decrease in smooth levels) at the contact point of three main natural units: the Apuseni Mountains (the Gilbu-Muntele Mare, Bihor and Vladeasa Massifs - with Vladeasa Peak, 1,838 m, and the lowest one, 227 m, where the Somes leaves the county, the Trascau Mountains - a small area), the Somesan Plateau (in the north - western part of the country with higher hills covered by forests) and the Transylvanian Plain (called "plain" because of the agricultural use and of the rounded hills with smooth slopes and altitudes of 500 m, in the south- western  part of the county).

 

Climate

                It is moderate continental, with chilly summers and not very cold winters. Here are two main climatic sectors: the mountain and the hill areas, depending on the relief structure, the rainfalls are variable, winds blow from west and north-west. The average temperature in January is -2- -8°C and in July is 12-23°C.

 

Touristic Attractions

Mountains

                The Gilau Mountains (The Big Mountains) - first in terms of importance and surface, they are bordered, in the south, by the Aries valley, and the SomesuI Mic one, in the north. The main feature is given by the remarkable smoothness of the structures which often appear as real plains, loosely uneven and cut by valleys.

                The Bihor Mountains are represented by the Vladeasa Massif (1,838 m), formed mainly of volcanic rocks. The White Rocks (1,557 m, limestone) make up spectacular abrupt structures, as a white island in the middle of a green ocean of forests (declared natural preserve). The picturesque of these places is completed by the scattered farms of the villages which almost reach the peaks. Gorges and narrow paths

                Other gorges and narrow paths: The Tureni Gorges - natural preserve, The Somesul Cald Gorges- wild gorges, with caves and canyons, The Dragan Valley - more than 35 km in length, The Narrow Path of Crisul Repede - starting in the village of Ciucea.

 

Lakes

                The Legii Lake (The Law Lake), faunistic preserve near the village of Legii, a favourite area for migratory pond birds.

                Other lakes: The Pike Lake, ornithological preserve (4 - 5 km from Gherla), it represents a ,,Miniature Delta". The Geaca Lake, ornithological preserve, 3 km north-east of Mociu, on the CIuj- Napoca - Reghin road, with rare species of birds, The Fantanele Lake, on the upper Somesul Cald, anthropical lake with power purpose, The Floroiu Lake (20 km from the Dragan Valley), anthropical lake with power purpose, The Tarnita lake an anthropical lake with power purpose, The Turda Lake, The Cojocna Lake, The Ocna Dejului Lake, anthropical-saline lakes, forming Iacustrian complexes.

 

Preserves and monuments of nature

                Fanatele Clujului (3 - 4 km north of Cluj-Napoca), botanical preserve where a complex vegetal steppe world lives (specific to Asia and Eastern Europe).

                Suatu (26 km east of CIuj-Napoca), botanical preserve with steppe elements.

 

Spas and Touristic Health Resorts

                Belis-Fantanele a permanent spa at an altitude of 1,350 m and 25 km away from Huedin, on DJ 161B from Huedin. The dam lake offers many leisure possibilities. The skiers can enjoy the natural ski  slopes from the neighbourhood (abundant snow last till late spring). In the village of Belis, tourists can find accommodation in private farms.

                Baisoara (55 km away from CIuj-Napoca), on the eastern side of the Muntele Mare massif with an altitude of 1,385 m altitude. It usually has 171days of snow and is popular among winter sports amateurs. Hunting and fishing can be practiced as well.           

Other spas: Salt Baths in Turda, at an altitude of 350 m, 4 km from Turda and 30 km from Cluj Napoca,  Baita Baths, 1 km away from Gherla and 43 km away from Cluj-Napoca,  Cojocna Baths, 20km south-east of Cluj-Napoca.

 

 

Religious buildings

 

"Saint Michael Church" in Cluj-Napoca, the constuction started in 1350, and took over two centuries. It is an impressive and valuable monument of Gothic architecture sheltering remarkable interior paintings. The tower, 80 m in height, it was built between the years 1636 - 1862.

                Reformed Church in Cluj-Napoca it was built by the King Matei Corvin in 1486.

                Calvaria Church in Cluj-Napoca, it is mentioned in documents from 1222, rebuilt in the 15th - 16th centuries. In 1437, the agreement between the nobles and the victorious peasants from Bobalna was signed here.

                Other religious buildings: Orthodox Cathedral in Cluj-Napoca (1921 - 1933), Reformed Church in Turda it was built around the year 1400, with a tower having a height of 60 m, Roman -Catholic Church in Turda (1498 - 1504), representative building for the medieval Transylvanian art of the 15th - 16th centuries, Calvinist Church in Turda, important monument of the Gothic architecture in our country, it was erected during the reign of Sigismund of Luxembourg (1387 - 1437). Orthodox Church in Feleacu, built by the Moldavian ruler, Stephen the Great, in Gothic style, (1486 - 1488), Monastery Nicula (8 km from Gherla), manufacturing centre of icons on glass (1552).

 

Cultural buildings

                The Banffy Palace in CIuj-Napoca it was built between 1774 - 1785, in Late Baroque style. Itbelonged to Count Gheorghe Banffy, the palace has wonderful paintings and sculptures on the front side. Nowadays, it hosts the Art Museum.

                Matei Corvin's House is the oldest building with a floor in Cluj-Napoca. It is the birthplace of Matei Corvin (1443), he would become later King of Hungary.

                Princely Residence in Turda (15th century), Gothic style, today Museum of the Town.

                Ethnographic Museum of Transylvaniei in Cluj-Napoca, it offers a complex view over the popular culture of this historical region. The department in open air (on the Hoia Hill) consists in 82 constructions (handicraft complexes, peasant houses, wooden churches).

                History Museum of Transylvania in Cluj-Napoca, it was founded in 1859 and includes more than 150,000 items, objects from the Dacian civilisation from the Orastie Mountains. It is worth to be mentioned the vessel with the inscription "Decebalus per Scorilo" ("Decebalus, Scorilo's son").

                Memorial House "Octavian Goga" in Ciucea (180 km away from Oradea), poet of theTransylvanian village, politician (prime minister between the two world wars).

                Botanical Garden in CIuj-Napoca, it represents one of the attraction points of the town and ranges among the most famous gardens in Southeastern Europe. The botanical garden was founded in 1872 and has approximately 11,000 species of plant from all continents. Exotic plants are kept in greenhouses which cover a surface of 2,000 square m.

Monuments and statues

                The Statue of Matei Corvin in CIuj-Napoca, a very valuable artistic work presenting one of the most important personalities of the history, Matei Corvin, king of Hungary (1458 - 1490), born in Cluj, son of loan Corvin of Hunedoara.

                Equestrian Statue of Michael the Barve in Cluj- Napoca, in honour of ruler who accomplished for the first time in history the union of the three Romanian countries.

                Statue of Baba Novac in Cluj-Napoca, in memory of this courageous captain of Michael the Brave, killed in CIuj.

                Other monuments and statues: Statue of Avram lancu in Cluj-Napoca, Monument erected on the place where Michael the Brave was killed - on the plain near Turda where he settled the camp, in August 1601, the ruler was assasinated at the order of General Basta, Bobalna Monument - the peasants' uprising of 1437 started here, an important monument of the Transylvanian peasants' fight for social rights.

 

Ethnography

                The villages of CIuj county preserve unchanged, for many centuries, interesting customsand traditions. The most famous villages are: lzvorul Crisului (folk art), Poieni (wooden gates, costumes), Calatele (houses, folk costumes), Rascruci (wicker works), Panticeu (sheepskin and leather works).