Şoimuş: Churches, Archaeology and the Boholt Nature Reserve

In Şoimuş, natural and cultural history meet in a landscape shaped by the Mureş River, protected habitats, old wooden churches and several archaeological settlements. Water-based activities and living traditions are also among the municipality’s distinctive features. Between natural areas, historic religious buildings and archaeological sites, a diverse picture of the local past and present emerges.

Nature

The Boholt Nature Reserve is a nature reserve of national interest in IUCN Category IV. It is located in Boholt, within the municipality of Şoimuş in Hunedoara County. Covering 1 ha, the protected area encompasses a gorge-like section of the Valea Teiului with a canyon-like character. Forest vegetation and thermophilic plant species grow there on limestone. The southern side of the village of Şoimuş is bordered by the Mureş River.

Archaeology

The archaeological settlement “Aşezarea pluristratificată de la Şoimuş (Balata), Situl 1 – Varianta de ocolire Deva–Orăştie” lies in the floodplain of the Mureş River, at the edge of a terrace on its right bank. It includes settlement components from the Bronze Age, the La Tène period, the classical Roman period, the Migration Period and the Early Middle Ages. A Neolithic–Eneolithic settlement is located at the La Avicola (Ferma 2) site in Şoimuş. Its phases belong to the Turdaş, Petreşti and Vinča cultures and to the early Coţofeni culture. Both sites connect specific landscapes with long chronological sequences, but differ in their locations and the cultural phases preserved.

Churches

In the village of Sulighete, in the municipality of Şoimuş in Hunedoara County, stands the Church of “Adormirea Maicii Domnului”. The church is considered to have been built before the 18th century. It stands on Bozănești Hill and overlooks the settlement situated in a broad hollow. Its interior paintings from 1890 were executed by Dionisie Iuga from Nicula. Another wooden church in the village of Căinelu de Jos was built in the 18th century. The wooden Church of “Sfântul Nicolae” in Şoimuş was built in 1705.

Customs and Festivals

At Christmas and New Year, youth groups in Sulighete go from house to house with drums, the Irozii and the star. “Lina de la Sulighete” is the best-known folk dance of the municipality of Şoimuş. “Balul Ciobanilor” in the municipality of Şoimuş celebrates pastoral values and the traditions of the Romanian village. The festival has been held every year since 2014 between Şoimuş and Boholt. For events, the stated festival dates should be checked before travelling.

Water

The harbour of Vaporașul Șoimuș has facilities for mooring small boats and serves as a starting point for various excursions on the water. Vaporașul Șoimuș also offers boat trips and fishing opportunities. For these activities, current times and conditions can be checked before travelling.

Other linked places include Gurasada, Teliucu Inferior, Peștișu Mare, Hateg, Zeicani, Râu Bărbat, Hățăgel, Petrila.

To the higher-level travel overview: Eisenmarkt.