Top Things to do in Northwest Romania
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10 Things to do Good for Kids in Northwest Romania That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Northwest Romania, Romania including Wooden Churches of Maramures, Apuseni Natural Park, Merry Cemetery, Moon Church (Biserica cu Luna), The Roman-Catholic Cathedral, Gradina Botanica "Alexandru Borza", Fantanele Lake, Cheile Turzii, Vaser Valley Forestry Railway - Day Tours, Bridal Veil Falls.
Restaurants in Northwest Romania
1. Wooden Churches of Maramures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 98 reviews
Reviewed By doinab634
More or less alike at a first glance - elegant shape, sky-piercing spires,,richly decorated interiors, polychrome murals evoking the most memorable episodes of Christianity, any of the 5 UNESCO-listed wooden churches I visited exudes a unique feeling of simplicity,sobriety and devotion.Apart from elaborately carved wooden doors laden with such typical symbol-motifs as the twisted rope, the tree life, the wolf's tooth or rosettes (notice them on the monumental gates of a peasant's home), each of them is peculiarized by fabulous details. For instance, St Nicholas' Church in Budesti - the chainmail armor and helmet of Pintea the Brave (Pintea, legendary figure of the local historiography and folk literature, was the Robin Hood of Maramures, preceding the latter by nearly 100 years);or the Virgin Mary's Nativity Church in Ieud on the Hill.Built in mid-14th century by a local craftsman, this wooden church is the oldest in Romania and it jumped into public attention a century ago when the oldest writing in the Romanian language notwithstanding its Cyrillic characters(dating back to 1391-1392) was found out in its garret.Known as The Pandect from Ieud, it can be seen in the Library of the Romanian Academy and the Introduction adorns the entrance to the new church erected in the lowland area of the village.
2. Apuseni Natural Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By Obeckett647 - Belfast, United Kingdom
The Apuseni Mountains are Romanian countryside at its best; flower-rich meadows, ancient forests and traditional wooden buildings. For the hiker they are ideal, as your walk can be as leisurely or intense as you like, with a great variation in the scenery and the landscape. too. The steep forested hillsides hide traditional villages and pristine streams and for the nature lover, the forests and meadows are full of flowers, butterflies, birds, mammals, amphibians and other wildlife. The mountains are best reached from Cluj-napoca, where you can travel by car or train to Huedin before heading south into the hills. The roads can be narrow and bumpy at times and shops and amenities are few and far between. Most villages usually have at least one small shop or car/cafe. I found walking here to be incredibly peaceful and would recommend it to anyone who loves the outdoors.
3. Merry Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 551 reviews
A fascinating collection of unique wooden headstones that immortalize details about the deceased.
Reviewed By njw_to - Toronto, Canada
The cemetery is a gem and the grave markers are wonderful folk art and interesting to explore. We were there on a Sunday morning so he’d the added atmospheric bonus of the church service. It was great to see the local girls in their traditional dress.
4. Moon Church (Biserica cu Luna)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 120 reviews
This name derives from the mechanism installed in the church tower in 1793. The clock and the moon are the work of George Rueppe, an innovative mechanic from Oradea. The mechanism rotating the moon is designed to make a full rotation on its axis in 28 days, thus indicating the moon phases, depending on the daily cycle marked by the clock mechanism. Inside the Moon Church you can visit a representative museum, with particularly beautiful Orthodox church-related objects.
Reviewed By Vladimiramirela - Mississauga, Canada
The rotating moon installed in the church tower in 1793 gives this religious sanctuary its name and reputation. The mechanism is still working, enabling people to admire the diferent phases of the moon from accross the square. The church is also known as the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and it is a Christian-Orthodox church with intricate interiors.
5. The Roman-Catholic Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By florentinadriang - Arad, Romania
Built in Baroque style, between 1751-1779, the Roman Catholic Cathedral is located on Şirul Canonicilor Street, inside the Park of the Baroque Complex, a space that also houses the Roman Catholic Episcopal Palace. Being in a very good state of preservation, both inside and outside, the building is distinguished by its exterior monumentality and by an intelligent exploitation of the interior space. All those who step on its doorstep and enter it will feel dominated by a deep state of mystical elevation, largely due to the play of light, shadow and color, but also the special effect of the altar. The pipe organ, still functional, was donated by Empress Maria Theresa. Adorable!
6. Gradina Botanica "Alexandru Borza"
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,027 reviews
Reviewed By Eyal_Asher - Hod Hasharon, Israel
The botanical garden is very beautiful. There are beautiful flowers that are amazingly designed. Suitable for a two hour trip. Suitable for families with children of all ages. It is possible to walk around with a baby stroller easily. The entrance fee is very cheap. Worth every moment
7. Fantanele Lake
8. Cheile Turzii
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 385 reviews
Reviewed By 973adrian007 - Oradea, Romania
It was good to be in such a beautiful place. Fresh air, amazing views. A little bit crowded, but it was ok. I recommend it for everybody who want to be in the middle of the nature.
9. Vaser Valley Forestry Railway - Day Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 278 reviews
Sometimes known as the Vaser Valley Railway, the forestry railway of Viseu de Sus is a unique example of technical cultural heritage. Travelling over a network of some 60 kilometers of narrow-gauge track, you can still find wood-burning steam locomotives running alongside several diesels and railcars. The CFF Viseu de Sus ("CFF" stands for "Caile Ferate Forestiere" - forestry railway in Romanian language) is probably the last real forestry railway still operating with steam locos in Europe. For the enjoyment of our numerous visitors, we are keeping the tradition of steam railways alive in Viseu de Sus, offering regular steam trains, charter trains with catering services and trains for special events.
10. Bridal Veil Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By Dc3108 - Melbourne, Australia
We drive to the waterfall from Cluj through Huedin. The trip took approx 1.5 hours. The roads are excellent up to Huedin but from then on watch out for a few pot holes and oncoming traffic (the road narrows). The car park is 10 minutes walk from the waterfalls. The walk is an easy hike along a stream and trees covered in moss on one side and sheer cliffs on the other. A wooden platform allows you to cross the waterfall and take nice pictures. You can also walk a further 10 minutes and view the fall from the top but in the absence of a barrier you would need to watch young kids. A cross signifying someone who fell and died is a stark reminder. The falls were worth the 70km drive from Cluj especially if you stop at Huedin on the way home to see the gypsy palaces.
