Discover Moisei: Wooden Church, History and Rodna Mountains

Moisei lies in the Maramureș Depression, at the foot of the Rodna Mountains and in the floodplain of the Vișeu River.

Discover more destinations at Coltău, Bârsana, Săpânța, Sarasău, Hoteni, Remeţi, Ocna Sugatag and Petrova.

Culture

The Moisei Monastery had been a center for ecclesiastical painting since the 17th century. The former monastery complex “Izvorul Negru” includes the wooden church “Adormirea Maicii Domnului” in Moisei. It is the only wooden church in Maramureș with an externally hexagonal polygonal altar.

The complex therefore brings together a historical connection to the monastery and an unusual architectural detail. The external shape of the altar is not hidden inside, but instead shapes the exterior view of the wooden church.

The Moisei Monument is a work by sculptor Vida Géza and consists of twelve stone figures: Two of these figures depict human faces, while ten others wear traditional masks from the region. Carved wooden gates are among Moisei’s local features.

The figures are thus divided between two clearly identified forms of representation. In addition to the stone figures, the wooden gates are also part of the local design and connect the monument with another visible feature of the village.

History

The House of the Martyrs of Moisei is located at the end of the Moisei municipality in the direction of Borșa. It illustrates the events of October 14, 1944, when 29 Romanian patriots were murdered by Horthy troops.

The memorial site therefore combines a clearly stated location within the municipality with a precisely dated historical event. The number of victims and the reference to the Horthy troops are part of the account conveyed by the House of the Martyrs.

The Monument to the Heroes of Moisei is located on a hill. The monument can be reached via 44 steps.

The hill and the 44 steps are therefore components of the specifically described approach. The Monument to the Heroes of Moisei is consequently not situated at ground level, but is accessible via the mentioned ascent.

Landscape

The Izvorul Izei Cave is located in the vicinity of Moisei. It is 2,500 meters long and has an elevation difference of 100 meters.

With its length of 2,500 meters and elevation difference of 100 meters, the cave has two different size specifications. Its location in the vicinity of Moisei establishes the geographical connection to the village without describing it directly as part of the municipality.

Routes

The route from Dealul Moiseiului to Izbucul Izei follows the upper course of the Iza, passes through Rodna Mountains National Park and lies within the municipality of Moisei. The access route is approximately nine kilometers long and runs along a heavily damaged forest road that is passable by an all-wheel-drive vehicle.

For this connection, both the starting point, Dealul Moiseiului, and the destination, Izbucul Izei, are specified. The route along the upper course of the Iza passes through Rodna Mountains National Park; its approximate length of nine kilometers and the condition of the forest road provide additional details about the access route. According to the route description, the road is passable by an all-wheel-drive vehicle.

For the overarching travel overview: Maramureş.