Discover Hoteni: Wooden Church, Tăurile and Tânjaua de pe Mara

Culture and history

The wooden church “Sfinții Arhangheli Mihail și Gavril” in Hoteni is dated to 1790. At the end of the 19th century, it was brought to Hoteni from Slatina, north of the Tisza. The building therefore connects its present location with a former place on the other side of the Tisza. The church continues to be used regularly for religious services, with Orthodox and Greek Catholic services held alternately. The history of the building thus encompasses an early date, a later relocation and religious use that continues to this day.

Spring festival and customs

In Hoteni, the Tânjaua de pe Mara tradition is preserved as a spring festival. The focus is on the villager who was the first to plough in spring: at Tânjaua de pe Mara, he is honoured. For more than forty years, the tradition has been continued through a public performance of regional folk songs and dances. The festival thus combines the beginning of the agricultural year with music and dance.

At the event, carts pulled by a yoke are decorated with green birch branches, ribbons and colourful cloths. Tânjaua Hotenarilor is described as a traditional public event in Hoteni. The festival therefore includes both a connection to spring farm work and a public celebration featuring music, dance and decorated carts.

Nature and landscape

The Tăurile form a protected natural area of local interest in the territory of Hoteni. In Hoteni, the area is also known as Tinoavele plutitoare de la Hoteni. Special features of the landscape include the flora typical of wetlands and peat bogs in the Tăurile and Tinovul Hoteni. Together, these two named natural areas represent the landscape that is the focus along the route described.

Route to the Tăurile

The excursion route “Valea Cosăului (Breb): Tăurile și Tinovul Hoteni” begins in Hoteni and runs via Breb to the Tăurile of Hoteni. From there, it continues to Tinovul Hoteni and then back to Breb. The circular route to the Tăurile and Tinovul Hoteni is approximately 2 km long and takes about one hour. The route thus combines the starting point in Hoteni, the section via Breb and the two named natural areas in one circular route.

The hiking trail from the church in Hoteni to the Tăurile Hoteni is marked with a red cross. In addition to the circular route, the trail description therefore identifies a marked section between the building in the village and the natural area. The approximate length of 2 km and the approximate duration of one hour are stated directly in the route description to indicate the timing of the circular route.

Transport connections

Buses from Baia Mare to Ocna Șugatag run via Hoteni. The village is therefore located on a described bus route between Baia Mare and Ocna Șugatag; the two places form the endpoints of the route mentioned.

Other places

Other destinations in the same group of localities are Borşa, Lăpușel, Săcălaşeni, Seini, Vișeu De Jos, Mittelstadt, Călineşti and Săcel.

For the higher-level travel overview: Maramureş.