Săpânța: Monastery, Merry Cemetery and Șipot Waterfall

The present-day Săpânța-Peri Monastery was founded in 1997 in the immediate vicinity of Săpânța.

Construction took place between 1998 and 2003, not far from the Tisa River. The foundation and construction therefore belong to different periods in the monastery’s more recent history.

Culture

The Merry Cemetery was the life’s work of the sculptor, painter and folk poet Ion Stan Pătraș.

His students continued this life’s work.

In Săpânța, carved epitaphs provide information about people.

They name occupations and activities as well as the everyday life, traditions and customs of the village. The carved panels thus combine personal life stories with observations from village life.

Dumitru Pop (Tincu) takes up the original decorative forms and the characteristic colour scheme that Stan Ion Pătraș introduced at the Merry Cemetery in Săpânța, and reinterprets both.

The “Stan Ioan Pătraș” Memorial House includes the artist’s home.

The “Stan Ioan Pătraș” Memorial House also includes the stable and the workshop in the yard.

Traditional furniture and household textiles are on display inside.

A significant collection of objects made by Stan Ioan Pătraș himself is also housed there. Together with the house, stable and workshop, the memorial house shows not only the private setting but also the artisanal environment in which his work was rooted.

History

The former monastery was destroyed in 1703.

Săpânța Peri Monastery was rebuilt later.

The reconstruction took place towards the end of the 20th century and at the beginning of the 21st century.

It took place not far from the original site, which is now located in Ukraine.

The bell tower of Săpânța-Peri Monastery rises 75 metres above the ground. Thus, the present building centres both on the memory of the destroyed former monastery and on the history of its reconstruction.

Other places in this destination area include Vișeu De Sus, Suciu de Sus, Ruscova, Staţiunea Borşa, Leordina, Târgu Lăpuș, Botiza and Sarasău.

Nature

The Șipot Waterfall has a large plunge pool below the waterfall.

The erosion caused by the falling water created this depression. The formation below the waterfall is therefore directly connected to the effects of the water.

Șipot Waterfall can also be reached by off-road vehicle.

There is a car park immediately above the waterfall.

From there, you can walk down above the waterfall. This allows the waterfall and its plunge pool to be viewed in relation to the terrain above the falls.

Routes

The hiking route begins at Cariera Capul Feței and leads through the Nadoșa Valley to Șipot Waterfall.

The route is approximately 5 to 6 kilometres long.

It takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours each way.

Săpânța can be reached from Sighetu Marmației.

The village can also be reached via Negrești-Oaș.

For the overarching travel overview: Maramureş.