maramures _ the way of wooden churches - day 1
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An itinerary for day 1 of 3 around wooden churches in Maramures, RomaniaTRANSCRIPT
18/03/2015 Maramures | The Way of Wooden Churches Day 1
http://www.visitmaramures.ro/index.php?task=page&page=drumul%20bisericilor%20de%20lemn%201 1/2
UNESCO World HeritageWooden Churches
Sapanta Merry Cemetery
Traditional Crafts
Memories from the Past
Taste of Maramures
Accommodation
Greenway
The Way of Crafts
The Way of Wooden Churches
Bike Ride through the Land ofLapus
Maramureş. Joy on TwoWheels
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Home » Things To Do » Suggested Itineraries » The Way ofWooden Churches » The Way of Wooden Churches Day 1
The Way of Wooden Churches Day 1
Baia Mare => Tăuții de Sus => Baia Sprie => Mara => Deseşti=> Hărniceşti => Sat Şugatag => Giuleşti => Berbeşti => VaduIzei => Sighetu Marmaţiei => Iapa => Câmpulung la Tisa =>SăpânţaDistance: 88.7 kmDuration: 2 hrs, 30 min driving timeThis route focuses on the UNESCO World Heritage woodenchurches in Maramureş County, but can be enjoyed simply asan excursion throughout the county in order to bask in the greatoutdoors and take in the stunning landscapes of thecountryside. Additional times and distances are providedbetween UNESCO sites on the route.Baia Mare => Deseşti (42 km, 1 hour)The route begins with a steep and winding ascent into forestcovered mountains. At the top of the Gutâi Pass, thepicturesque landscape opens up before you. The road, thencontinues its winding journey down in the rolling countryside onthe way to Deseşti.The first World Heritage site on this itinerary is Deseşti, where,in 1717, according to the legend, the wooden church was setablaze by a Tătar invasion. Many villagers died trying to savethe church. With only a stone pillar remaining of the originalchurch, the villagers could not, according to tradition, build anew church in the same location. This place was not consideredgood, because of the many deaths that occurred here, trying tosave the original church. The villagers selected another locationand attempted five times to roll an altar stone into place. Whenthe stone finally remained erect, the new church foundation wasestablish and was called "Pious Paraschiva."
Deseşti => Sighetu Marmaţiei (33 km, 45 min), Săpânţa (fromSighet 15km, 35 min)The remainder of the day's itinerary does not feature anotherWorld Heritage church, but allows for ample time to exploresome other prime attractions, while on route to the village ofSăpânţa. Vadu Izei it will be the last village that you passthrough, before reaching Sighetu Marmaţiei. As you arrive in Sighetu Marmaţiei, simply continue along, untilyou reach the center of town. Before entering the central part oftown, keep an eye out for the Sighet Village Museum located onthe right hand side of the road. This museum provides visitorswith a snapshot of traditional life in a Maramureş village.
Sighet, as the locals call it, is small enough for visitors toexplore in a few hours on foot. A few hours can be spent
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Suggested ItinerariesThe Way of WoodenChurches
The Way of Wooden Churches Day 2
The Way of Wooden Churches Day 3
18/03/2015 Maramures | The Way of Wooden Churches Day 1
http://www.visitmaramures.ro/index.php?task=page&page=drumul%20bisericilor%20de%20lemn%201 2/2
exploring the sights of Sighet, before travelling the shortdistance to Săpânţa or one can see the sight in Sighet in themorning. Be sure not to miss the Sighet Prison and Museum ofArrested Thought, the Elie Wiesel Memorial House, and theMaramureş Ethnographical Museum among other sites. Clickhere for more information about tourist activities and objectivesin Sighet.Following a pleasant morning in Sighet, the route continues onto Săpânţa, located very close to the Ukrainian border.
Săpânţa is a pleasant village, which is wellknown throughoutRomania for its "Merry Cemetary" or Cimitirul Vesel inRomanian. The cemetery and its iconic grave markers are theresult of a local wood carver named Ioan Stan Pătraș, whocarved the first wooden marker in 1935. The markers are uniquein that, each one is inscribed with a witty epitaph and picturedescribing something relevant to the deceased life and/or death.Each marker is different and reflects the life to whom the crossbelongs. Pătraș died in 1977 and is buried in the cemetery,directly opposite to the main entrance to the church. His legacycan be seen in the large cross, which he carved and painted forhimself prior to his death. The creation of the markers continuesto this day and is carried on by Pătraș's apprentice, DumituPop, who lives and works in Pătraș's former home andworkshop which is also a museum. The number of newmarkers annually averages around 10, but depends on the deathrate in the village.
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