The idyllic Maramures , placed in the northern part of the country and spread over a surface totalizing 160 square km, is definitely the most traditional Romanian region, a place where the old peasant culture is combining on amazing landscapes with unique wooden churches, traditional music and unspoiled life style.
The Maramures wooden churches are outstanding examples of religious wooden architecture resulting from the interchange of Orthodox religious traditions with Gothic influences in a specific interpretation of timber construction traditions, showing a high level of artistic maturity and craft skills.

Join us for an amazing tour to all the UNESCO world heritage wooden churches of Maramures!

These eight churches included on UNESCO's list are uniques examples of a range of architectural solutions from different periods and areas. They show the variety of designs and craftsmanship adopted in these narrow, high, timber constructions with their characteristic tall, slim clock towers at the western end of the building, either single - or double-roofed and covered by shingles.
Our tour will focus on these 8 churches, but we suggest that the program should be open for changes considering that Maramures region has many local traditions, specific events or festivals, that would be definately interesting for any tourist.
On the first day we will leave Cluj-Napoca and head north to Maramures region. The wooden church to be visited is the one in Rogoz village, 5 km east from Targu Lapus. Buit of elm some time between 1661 and 1701, the wooden church of Rogoz is the only one in the region that has the steeple and the little towers perfectly conic with square foundation. From here we will continue our way to the magnificent Uniate church of Surdesti, 10 km south of Baia Sprie. The church dates back from 1721 and is dedicated to the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel. Built of oak beams skilfully blended, the church was the tallest wooden structure in Europe (54 meters high) until the new monastery of Barsana and soon after the monastery of Sapanta were built (74 meters high).
One kilometre south is the wooden church of Plopis, slightly smaller, built between 1798 and 1805. Our next church to be visited is the one in Desesti. Located along the Mara river, the village of Desesti conceals a unique wooden church, built following the "double roof" style, in order to increase the illumination inside. The inside paintings, executed by Radu Munteanu in 1780 are representing both figures of saints and martyrs, groups of Turks, Jws or Tartars.

Continuing our tour we will go to the village of Barsana where, hosteld by a local family we will indulge in a traditional lunch. Our last UNESCO church to be visited in the first day is the one in Budesti. The church was built in 1643 and host a unique collection of glass painted icons with folkloric scenes and a valuable wood painted icon from 14th century.
The second day, in the early morning we will visit the wooden church of Barsana, a traditional Maramures village, located on Iza valley. The church was raised in 1720, on the place of an old one, asumingly from the 14th century. It is a remarcable piece of work, realized in wood and painted in 1806 by Ion Plohod and Toader Hodor.
Soon after, we will follow our way to the remote village of Poienile Izei, home to the most dramatic frescoes of hell in the entire area. The wooden church here was built in 1604 and the interior frescoes dating from 1783, depict hell, symbolized by a ferocious bird waiting to swallow up the sinners.
The oldest wood church in Maramures, dating from 1364 is in Ieud, and is also named as "The Church on the hill". Made out of fir wood, built on the castle ruins, the church host extraordinary interior frescos, recently renovated. Ieud's second church, Greek-Catholic was built in 1717. The church is unique in this region as it has no porch. Located at the southern end of the village it houses one of the largest collections of icons on glass found in Maramures.
After having lunch in a local farm house, we will say good bye to Maramures region, leaving behind some of the most full of traditions places in Romania ...


Tour program:
Day 1: Cluj-Napoca – Rogoz - Surdesti - Plopis - Desesti - Budesti - Barsana
Day 2: Barsana - Iza valley - Poienile Izei - Ieud - Cluj

Tour information:
- duration - 2 days;
- validity - thoughout the year;
- minimum persons required - 2;
- transport - over 700 km driving.

Note: This schedule is flexible according to the departure time, weather and road conditons, and neverthless your own suggestions! The first and last day of the tour can be also a matter of change according to your wishes and travelling program.

Rates:
- 204 euros / person for minimum 2 persons;
- 125 - 136 euros / person for 3 - 4 persons;
- 71- 100 euros / person for 5 - 7 persons;
- 64 - 88 euros / person for 8 - 11persons;
- 50 - 59 euros / person for 12 - 14 persons;

Note: get 10 euros off the total price by being accommodated at Retro Hostel!

Prices includes:
- transfer and tour Cluj - Maramures region - Cluj, by car or minibus;
- English, German, Italian or Hungarian speaking guide;
- snack and coffee, in the car;

Prices excludes:
- entrance tickets to all the turisty places included in the tour;
- accommodation, all the meals during the tour;
- personal expenses.

Retro Travel - your travel partner in Transylvania!