Discover Maramureș County, Romania – Baia – Mare city, Izei Valley, Borșa, Prislop Area & finally the Merry Cemetery …

One of the border counties of Romania, Maramureș County, is predominantly mountainous and hilly. It attracts tourists who are passionate about outdoor activities, nature and folk arts because of its fame in traditional culture.

Wooden church in Poienile Izei, Romania

Wooden church in Poienile Izei, Romania

Maramureş traditional art is developed in several directions like woodworking, clothing, food, choreography, vocal interpretation and pottery. Collections showing the traditional art of this district are gathered in dedicated museums such as Maramureș Village Museum in Sighet, Museum of Ethnography and Folk Art – Baia Mare.

Baia – Mare, the county seat, was developed and it flourished over the XVI, XVII and XVIII centuries due to gold mining in the area. The Freedom Square (Piața Libertății) is a mixture of colorful buildings dating from sec.al XVII – century representing what remains of the old city. In this Place is the former home of Iancu de Hunedoara – Hunyadi (Hungary’s Governor) which functions as a branch of the Historical Museum of Maramureș located also in this city. Art Museum of the City presents a collection of works by Art Colony of Baia Mare.
Mineralogical Museum in Baia Mare is the largest regional museum in Europe, presenting over 1000 copies of minerals, rocks and fossils.

A journey through the Iza Valley gives the impression of a return in time. Its beautiful villages with wooden churches respect Maramureş tradition. Among them, Wooden Church on the Hill in Ieud is the oldest in Maramureș. Vişeului- Valley is the starting point for many hiking trails. A narrow railway of 76 cm gauge runs through Vaser Valley, starting from Vișeu de Sus crossing Maramureşului Mountains through a land extremely isolated. The track was built between 1930 and 1933.Today it still transports wood and also tourists and it is one of the most isolated in Europe still using steam locomotives.

Borsa Resort is located on the river Vișeu, in Rodnei Mountains, and it is the starting point to area attractions (Horse Falls, Pietrosul Rodnei and Lake Iezer). It is also a location of facilities for winter sports. Prislop Pass is located at the highest altitude in the Eastern Carpathians. It links the mountains Rodnei and Maramureș. Inter-county folklore festival called ʺHora de la Prislopʺ is held annually in this place on the first Sunday after St. Mary. Its tradition dates back in 1738.
Visiting Maramureș is not complete without going on to Săpânţa to visit the famous Merry Cemetery.

Explore Maramureș County on Google Maps

Ideal Escapes in Romania