The Maramureş wooden churches in Northern Transylvania are a selection of eight examples of different architectural solutions from different periods and areas. They are Orthodox churches. They are Orthodox churches. They are high timber constructions with characteristic tall, slim bell towers at the western end of the building. They are high timber constructions with characteristic tall, slim bell towers at the western end of the building. They are a particular vernacular expression of the cultural landscape of this mountainous area of northern Romania . They are a particular vernacular expression of the cultural landscape of this mountainous area of northern Romania.
Maramureş is one of the better-known regions of Romania, with autonomous traditions since the Middle Ages - but still not much visited. Maramureş is one of the better-known regions of Romania, with autonomous traditions since the Middle Ages - but still not much visited. Its well-preserved wooden villages and churches, its traditional lifestyle, and the local colourful dresses still in use make Maramureş as near to a living museum as can be found in Europe. Its well-preserved wooden villages and churches, its traditional lifestyle, and the local colorful dresses still in use make Maramureş as near to a living museum as can be found in Europe.
The famous wooden churches of the region were built during the 17th and 18th centuries, on the place of older churches. The famous wooden churches of the region were built during the 17th and 18th centuries, on the place of older churches. They are a response to a prohibition against the erection of stone Romanian Orthodox churches. They are a response to a prohibition against the erection of stone Orthodox churches. The churches are made of thick logs, are quite small and dark inside, and painted with rather "naïve" Biblical scenes. The churches are made of thick logs, are quite small and dark inside, and painted with rather "naive" Biblical scenes. The most characteristic features are the tall tower above the entrance and the massive roof that seems to dwarf the main body of the church. The most characteristic features are the tall tower above the entrance and the massive roof that seems to dwarf the main body of the church.
Some of them have been listed by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1999, for their religious architecture and timber construction traditions. Some of them have been listed by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1999 for their religious architecture and timber construction traditions.
Labels:
maramures,
wooden churches
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