MARAMURES [spelled Maramuresh] region, lying in the north of the country, in the depression bearing the same name, is surrounded by very impressive mountains. In the North the river Tisa and the ridge of the Maramures Mountains make up the county’s natural border with Ukraine. To the East, over the Prislop Pass stretches the historical province of Moldavia (Suceava county). To the south-east, beyond the Rodna Mountains, there is Bistrita-Nasaud county, with the legendary abode of Count Dracula. The counties of Cluj and Salaj lie to the South and the flatland of Satu Mare county extend to the West up to the Hungarian border

MARAMURES is an area standing out by its unaltered folklore (folk costumes, customs, songs and dances) and exquisite wood carving. Quite famous are the old wooden churches with high steeples, an expression of an exceptional architectural techinique, such as those in the villages of Surdesti (with a 53 m high steeple), Rozavlea, Bogdan Voda and many others. The yards of peasant houses in Maramures impress visitors by their monumental wooden gates, with the symbols of life carved on them, forming a real wooden lace.

At 18 km distance from Sighetu Marmatiei, on the national road no. 19, it is the Sapanta [Sapintza] village. Population of this locality is famous in the entire world for art of manufacturing of the traditional wool carpets and cloches. The most famous monument from the locality is the Merry Cemetery. The traveller receives one of the most beautiful lessons of life, from the people here. Their ancestors considered death as a beginning, and not the end. This faith is still present today.The Merry Cemetery here is proof of this faith. People welcome death more with joy, rather than sorrow. So the inscriptions of the dead person’s life, with satirical verses, describing the main events of their life. The life philosophy of the Maramures area is "to laugh about sorrow".

Another “curiosity” you must see in MARAMURES is the steam train named “mocanita” [mocanitza].

-         The railway on narrow gauge (760mm) was built in 1930—1933.

-         The length of the railway is about 56 kilometri. The steam train locomotives, model “RESITA”, were fabricated in the ’50 and it is still in perfect function condition.

-         The highest altitude where the railway runs is in the Comanu village (1100 m). Departure from the Viseu village starts at the altitude of 600 m.

-         The weight of the locomotive is 24,8 tone with fuel and 20 tone empty.

-         The train still circulates for industrial reasons, for the lumber station.

-         There is a steam train for tourists. Tourist coaches can be of two tipes:
                                          • terrace coach
                                          • class coach

-         Waggons for materials, wood and platforms still exists.

 

In MARAMURES tourists can olso visit the towns Baia Mare (population 150.000 in 2006), Satu Mare (115.000), Sighetu Marmatiei (50.000), Borsa (30.000 - for sky), the marvelous Mara Valley, Iza Valley, "Tara Lapusului" (Lapus Region), "Tara Chioarului" (Chioar Region) or get a peacefull retreat inside marvelous and wild landscapes.

 For more photos click HERE!