Discover Bixad: Monastery, Mineral Springs and Piatra Bixadului

Culture

The church of Bixad Monastery is dedicated to the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul; it was built from 1769 onwards and consecrated in 1771. Every year on 15 August, a pilgrimage takes place at Bixad Monastery. A Marian icon in the church of Bixad Monastery attracts believers from the neighbouring counties of Bihor, Sălaj, Maramureș and Bistrița-Năsăud. The miraculous Marian icon was brought to Bixad in 1853. The traditional custom of “Mersul în procesie” is practised in Bixad on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary.

The “Nașterea Maicii Domnului” Church is located in Bixad, dates from 1881 and bears the identification number SM-II-m-B-05267.

Nature

The mineral springs are traditionally referred to by locals as “borcut”. Bixad’s mineral springs are known for their therapeutic properties. The mineral water bottled in Bixad was exported and marketed throughout Europe.

In 1841, Ludovic Tognio ranked Băile Bixad first among 200 thermal spas. The former spa operation of Băile Bixad has ended. The baths were closed.

Piatra Bixadului is a natural attraction for people interested in hiking and nature. It consists of monolithic andesite and is part of an extrusive volcanic dome in the Oaș Mountains. The trail to Piatra Bixadului begins in Bixad at the turn-off to Bixad Monastery. It leads through forests and meadows. The rocky area at Piatra Bixadului can be particularly dangerous when wet.

At Piatra Bixadului, several precisely named features therefore come together: the monolithic andesite, its classification as part of an extrusive volcanic dome and its location in the Oaș Mountains. The described trail initially leads from the village through forests and meadows before reaching the rocky area; the warning about wet conditions expressly concerns this area.

History

The fortified earthwork Belavar is located near Bixad in the “Coasta Boineștilor” area. It dates from the Late Bronze Age, approximately from the period between 1150 and 950/900 BC. The site shows evidence of further settlement in later periods. The ruins of Belavar Fortress can be explored near Bixad by people interested in history and hiking via routes from Boinești or Călinești-Oaș.

For the chronological classification of Belavar, the word “approximately” remains crucial: the Late Bronze Age is meant, with the approximate period from 1150 to 950/900 BC. The evidence of later settlement supplements this dating without assigning the site to a single period.

Other Places

Other destinations on this page: Satu Mare, Urziceni, Dorolţ, Vama, Lazuri, Mădăras, Botiz, Apa.

Traditions

The “Danțu’ la Ciupercă” project lasted five months in Bixad. It included Oșenesc dances held on Sundays and public holidays. The first edition of the “Danțu’ la Ciupercă” festival took place in Bixad. In addition to locals and cultural figures, it also attracted tourists. The traditional Ciupercă “Ciuperca din Borcut” stands next to the town hall in the centre of Bixad municipality.

The project’s five-month duration describes a series of Oșenesc dances that was not limited to a single date. The Oșenesc dances took place on Sundays and public holidays. The first edition of the festival independently marked the beginning of the event series in Bixad; those present included locals, cultural figures and tourists.

To the higher-level travel overview: Satu Mare.