Vama: Ceramics, Hiking Trails and Băile Puturoasa

Vama is known for the ceramic products made here; pottery was already being produced in the village before 1850.

Culture

The Istvánfi family is considered the only pottery family in the Oaș region, and its members continue the pottery tradition both in their home workshop and at the Oaș Land Museum.

In 2022, Istvanfi Gheza was honoured as a “Living Human Treasure”; at home in Vama, he runs his own workshop at 531 Strada Ion Creangă.

Ceramics in Vama are therefore associated both with a continuing craft tradition and with museum work. Between the workshop, museum and school studio, there are different places where the production, preservation and presentation of ceramic products can be seen.

What is there to see about the history of ceramics? The Vama Ceramic Museum displays more than 500 pieces, some of which are over 300 years old.

The Casa Contra in Vama houses a ceramic school studio belonging to the Oaș Land Museum.

Potters from Vama contribute to educating children in the ceramic workshop at the open-air museum.

The ceramic sites mentioned thus range from the private workshop through the museum to the school studio and the open-air museum workshop. Historical pieces, ongoing craftwork and the transmission of knowledge are brought together in different institutions.

Nature

For hikers, a route to the 1,012-metre-high Muntele Mic begins in Vama and leads to Băile Puturoasa.

This route offers views of Vama, Negrești-Oaș and the Maramureș Mountains.

Which trails are available? A red-marked tourist trail also begins in Vama, leads via Băile Puturoasa and continues from there to the summit of Pietroasa.

The area around Băile Puturoasa has mountain trails for hiking as well as relaxing walks in the forest.

Recreation

What facilities are part of Băile Puturoasa? Two pools with different water temperatures are currently in operation there: one at 34–36 °C and one at 36–38 °C.

The two pools are thus distinguished by their respective temperature ranges. Băile Puturoasa includes a steam sauna, a café and a recreation area with fitness equipment, a billiards table and table tennis.

From Satu Mare, Băile Puturoasa can be reached via the DN19/E81 and the towns of Oraşu Nou and Vama.

Geographical Location

How is Vama geographically situated? Vama lies on the road between Satu Mare and Sighet and at the entrance to Negrești-Oaș.

Accommodation

In Vama, Complex Valea Măriei is a three-star hotel with a restaurant and recreation areas.

Complex Pintea is an accommodation complex in a wooded area of Vama, near a lake.

Other places include Bixad, Dorolţ, Mădăras, Botiz, Apa, Lazuri, Urziceni and Satu Mare.

To the higher-level travel overview: Satu Mare.