Rus: Churches, Archaeology and Rock Landscapes

Rus is home to the Orthodox stone church “Sfinții Arhangheli Mihail și Gavril”, built in 1894. It was originally Greek Catholic. During the interior renovation work carried out from 2008 to 2010, an iconostasis was made for it. Until 1709, a wooden parish church stood on the site of the present-day church.

Church and History

Rus – “Șesul lui Măican” is an archaeological settlement site from the Bronze Age and the Early Middle Ages, including from the 8th to 10th centuries AD. Rus – “Șesul Pietrei” is a prehistoric settlement site. Rus – “Peștera” is a settlement site from the Roman period; traces of a possible Roman quarry were identified there.

The foundation of the “Sfânta Maria-Rus” monastery began in 1997 under the direction of Mother Maria Terheș. The “Sfânta Maria” Monastery is located on a terrace of the Someș in the Răfeni cadastral area and is accessible from the national road.

At a spring church festival held at the “Sfânta Maria” Monastery in Rus, a Divine Liturgy and a water blessing were celebrated, attended by numerous worshippers. In Rus, men take part every year on Easter Sunday, after attending church, in Ciocotă, a competition involving the smashing of red eggs.

The church events are tied to different dates. The monastery’s spring church festival includes the Divine Liturgy and the water blessing; Ciocotă takes place on Easter Sunday after attending church. This distinguishes the timing of two clearly named components of local tradition.

Roads and the River Area

County road DJ 108S provides access to Rus from DN1C and also connects Rus with the municipality of Șimișna. County road DJ 109E connects Fodora, Rus, Buzaș and Lozna in the direction of DN1H at the Ciocmani bridge and runs parallel to the course of the Someș.

Route 15 is also characterised by specific crossings and sections. It includes a ferry crossing near Buzaș and then continues along the municipal road between Buzaș and Rus. The described route is stated to take four hours. Roads DJ 108S and DJ 109E supplement this route description with access roads and connections along the Someș.

Rock Landscape and Nature

The Stanii Buzașului rock formations are located on the road between Rus and Buzaș. A legend links the depression called Căldărușii in the Stanii Buzașului rock formations with the outlaw Pintea.

The protected area Cursul Mijlociu al Someșului is home, among others, to the common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), white stork (Ciconia ciconia) and lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina).

In the wider area around Rus, Route 15 leads to the limestone formations “Peșterile lui Pintea”. It runs from Ileanda to Dăbăceni, crosses the river by ferry near Buzaș, passes through Buzaș and then continues along the municipal road between Buzaș and Rus; the stated duration is four hours.

Other Places

Other places include Zalău, Boghiş, Vălişoara, Gârceiu, Sânpetru Almașului, Bodia, Cuzăplac and Hida.

To the higher-level travel overview: Salaj.