Maramures County

Description:

Geographical position

                North-western Romania, at the Ukrainian border.        

 

Neighbours

North:  Ukraine, West:  Satu Mare County, South: Salaj, Cluj, Bistrita-Nasaud Counties, East:

Suceava County.

 

Surface

                6,304 sq. km (respectively 2,6% of the country's territory).

 

Population

                535,000 inhabitants.

 

Towns

                Baia Mare, county capital, with 150,000 inhabitants.

                Other towns: Baia Sprie, Borsa, Cavnic, Seini, Sighetu Marmatiei, Târgu Lapus, Viseu de Sus.

 

Relief

                Predominantly mountain region, generally uneven, with heights ranging between 200 m in the depressions and 2.300 in the mountains (that cover 3/4 of the country territory). It has the aspect of a natural amphitheatre. The Maramures Depression is entirely surrounded by mountains: on the south- western side by the Oas, Gutâi and Tibles Volcanic Mountains, on the eastern side by the Maramures Mountains and in the south-eastern side Rodnei Mountains (Pietrosu Peak of 2,300 m) with sharp, long ridges, abrupt walls and picturesque valleys. It also includes parts of the Transylvanian Sub-Carpathians, Somes  Plateau and the Western Hills.

 

Climate

                Varies by the diversity of relief, temperate continental, with south-western and south-eastern winds. The average annual temperature in January is -3 - 10°C and in July 10 - 20°C.

 

Water courses

                Cross the territory like a cobweb from Tisa with its tributaries: Viseu (with Cisla, Vaser, Ruscova), Iza (with Mara, leud, Botiza), that crosses the depression through a large valley surrounded by terraces, to southern Somes with its tributaries: Lapus, Barsau, as well as the mineral water springs: Borsa, Craciunesti, Breb, Botiza.

 

 

Touristic sights

Mountains

                Pietrosul Massif (Rodnei Mountains), 2,303 m, (10 km far from Borsa) the most important natural reservation from the northern part of the country (geological, botanical and fauna). The Massif has numerous glacial traces (ridges, valleys, funnels and moraines). UNESCO has declared it a biosphere reservation.

                Gutâi Mountains (1,443 m) covered in secular forests, are part of the chain of the volcanic mountains ."Creasta Cocosului" offers a bizarre picture (12 km far from Baja Sprie), a huge block of andesite that dominates the surroundings with its impressive size and forms a geological reservation.

                TibIes Mountains (1,839 m - the highest altitude) full of pastures, rocks and sheepfolds with are long and tiring routes.

                Other mountains: Maramures Mountains (Farcau Peak - 1,957 m).

 

Valleys and waterfalls

                Vaser Valley, a succession of unique land- scapes that form one of the most impressive narrow passes of the Eastern Carpathians, both sides being covered by dozens of mineral water springs.

                Iza and Mara Valley (on DN 18), routes that offer not only impressive landscapes but also the satisfaction of visiting some of the oldest wooden churches, as well as a row of Maramures gates,

authentic rustic arcs de triomphe.

                Other valleys and waterfalls: Puzdrele and Cailor, a 40 m waterfalls.

Lakes

                Friza dam Lake on Firiza River, 10 km far from Baia Mare, excellent for leisure tourism.

                Other lakes: Ocna Sugatag and Costiui, salted lakes with therapeutic values, lezerul Glacial Lake in Pietrosu Massif.

 

Spas and Touristic Health Resorts

                Borsa (850 m altitude), spa located at the foot of Rodna Mountains. The climate is mild (average winter temperature of 8°C and summer temperature of 20°C), with ozone-rich air due to the fir forests surrounding the spa. The success of Borsa is the result of numerous possibilities for mountain trips and winter sports. On the northern side of the Rodna Mountains the snow remains even during the summer and sometimes from one year to another. There are ski slopes for all categories of ski lovers, as well as a natural springboard and a skilift. The treatments offered here include modem and naturists therapies and also natural mofettes. Access ways: by train - Viseu station, and by roads - ON 18, Baia Mare - Sighetul Marmatiei - Borsa, ON 17 and ON 18 Suceava - Pasul Prislop - Borsa, ON 17C and DJ 186, Bistrita- Nasaud - Borsa.

                Ocna Sugatag (20 km far from Sighetul Marmatiei), spa at an altitude of 490 m at the foot of the volcanic mountain chain Tibles-Gutâi.

                Touristic complexes lzvoarele, Mogosa, Craciunesti.

 

Historical vestiges

                Stephen's Tower in Baia-Mare, interesting Gothic tower raised in 1347, resembling the tower of the old City Hall of Prague. From its 50 m height, the tower offers a beautiful panorama of the city.

                Buthcher's Bulwark in Baia-Mare, used to be part of the fortification system of the city (15th century). It is said that the bullet that killed the famous outlaw Pintea the Brave was fired from here.

                Other historical vestiges: Mint Building in Baia Mare (1734 - 1738) that hosts the County Museum, Ruins of the Chioaru Fortress, near Somcuta Mare, documentarily attested in 1319, Ruins of the Fortress Bogdan Voda.

 

Religious buildings

                Wooden Churches have a special place among the most valuable assets of the Romanian folk art, being unique in the world due to the specific Romanian style of their forms and adornments. In the villages of Maramures there are many such structures that represent the most vivid expression of the folk skill. Some of the most beautiful of them can be found in the following cities: Bogdan Voda (18th cent. with painted interior), Surdesti (1724, the highest tower in the county: 54 m), Moisei (1699), Bârsana (1780), Budesti (17th - 18th cent.), Calinesti (1663, with pictures since 1754), Rozavlea (1700, mural painting since 1775), Botiza (1796), leud.

                Other religious buildings:" Holy Trinity" Church in Baia Mare, founded by Jesuit friars between in a baroque style lzvorul Negru Monastery near Moisei (1672).

 

Cultural buildings

                The Museum of Maramures in Sighetu Marmatiei, with ethnography and folk art sections (folk costumes and architecture, masks, icons, house items) nature science (flora and fauna of Maramures)

                Mineralogy Museum in Baia Mare exhibits interesting and unique mineral pieces.

 

Monuments  and statues

                Moisei Monument, erected in memory of the people killed by the Nazis in 1944, sculptured by Vida Gheza, initially in wood and then in stone.

 

Ethnography

                The "Merry Cemetery" in Sapanta (18 km far from Sighetul Marmatiei), unique in the world, amazes through its originality. The wooden Crosses sculptured and painted by the Craftsman Stan Patras, turned it into an authentic museum. The colours of the crosses and the witty texts inscribed on them capture for eternity the essential episodes of life and show the strength of the Romanian spirit that does not fear death. it may be said that Maramures villages form a huge folk art gallery. On holidays, the image is completed by the local`s Costumes, vividly coloured, sewn with great skill and imagination; the customs originally demonstrate the folk art. The famous Maramures gates are authentic "visit cards" of the wood sculpture. Made with great skill, their adornment is the traditional element of Maramures County: the sun, the symbol of life. The most beautiful gates can be admired in Sapanta Vadul izei, Desesti and Giulesti villages.

                Other ethnography highlights: Botiza (dowry chests and rugs), Viseul de Jos (folk costumes and fabrics), Bogdan Voda (carpets and wickerwork) Sacel (rough red ceramics adorned with old traditional elements).