MARAMUREŞ
County Council
ABOUT MARAMUREȘ
Maramureș is a unique location in the geographical heartland of Europe, land of wooden churches, mythological richness, impressive landscapes, carefully preserving the culture, traditions, and lifestyle of immemorial peasant past.
With more than 500 monuments, museums and collections, part of the local cultural heritage, including a newly set up circuit of wooden churches with 8 of them part of the UNESCO World Heritage Patrimony, Maramureș is proudly emerging as a region where traditions and religion are part of the everyday life.
Customs have survived over the centuries, especially in the villages, where the community still wears traditional handmade costumes on daily basis, enjoying social village meetings and celebrations.
Nature lovers will enjoy the mountainous landscapes and breath-taking valleys, as Maramureș is part of the northern chain of the Oriental Carpathian Mountains and the plateau of Transylvania, counting one natural park of national interest, 9 „Natura 2000” sites and 34 nature protected areas.
Maramureș is a generous destination, offering routes that follow county’s greenways, exploring cultural heritage and culinary experiences, giving also opportunities for two wheels riders and off-road enthusiasts.
It’s worth mentioning among the best of Maramureș, the variety of accommodation offers from hotels to family run guesthouses where the tourist blends in with local authentic lifestyle, enjoying the best of a unique gastronomy.
With more than 500 monuments, museums and collections, part of the local cultural heritage, including a newly set up circuit of wooden churches with 8 of them part of the UNESCO World Heritage Patrimony, Maramureș is proudly emerging as a region where traditions and religion are part of the everyday life.
Customs have survived over the centuries, especially in the villages, where the community still wears traditional handmade costumes on daily basis, enjoying social village meetings and celebrations.
Nature lovers will enjoy the mountainous landscapes and breath-taking valleys, as Maramureș is part of the northern chain of the Oriental Carpathian Mountains and the plateau of Transylvania, counting one natural park of national interest, 9 „Natura 2000” sites and 34 nature protected areas.
Maramureș is a generous destination, offering routes that follow county’s greenways, exploring cultural heritage and culinary experiences, giving also opportunities for two wheels riders and off-road enthusiasts.
It’s worth mentioning among the best of Maramureș, the variety of accommodation offers from hotels to family run guesthouses where the tourist blends in with local authentic lifestyle, enjoying the best of a unique gastronomy.
Location and connections
Maramureș is located in the North Western part of Romania, bordering Ukraine and covers an area of 6304.4 sq. km (2.6% of the Romania’s territory), being a medium sized county at national level. It is a predominantly hilly and mountainous area with heights ranging from 200 m to 2308 m.
The county’s population is rated to approx. 500,000 inhabitants (representative minorities: Hungarian and Ukrainian). At administrative level we have two municipalities: Baia Mare (county seat) and Sighetu Marmației, 11 towns and 63 communes.
As location, we are 625 km from Bucharest - the capital of Romania, closely connected with the Hungarian border (75 km by car) and providing good air connection by Maramureș International Airport, recently certified at EASA standards.
Maramureș county has road and railways links with the neighboring counties and main cities of Romania. From the total of the public roads length in the county of 1783 km, 365 km are national range while the rest of 1418 km are county and communal roads.
The county’s population is rated to approx. 500,000 inhabitants (representative minorities: Hungarian and Ukrainian). At administrative level we have two municipalities: Baia Mare (county seat) and Sighetu Marmației, 11 towns and 63 communes.
As location, we are 625 km from Bucharest - the capital of Romania, closely connected with the Hungarian border (75 km by car) and providing good air connection by Maramureș International Airport, recently certified at EASA standards.
Maramureș county has road and railways links with the neighboring counties and main cities of Romania. From the total of the public roads length in the county of 1783 km, 365 km are national range while the rest of 1418 km are county and communal roads.
Historical background
First archaeological evidence points to the Neolithic age, but the first written attestation of Maramureș was in 1199 within a diploma issued by the King of Hungary.
By the end of the middle ages, Maramures was under Hungarian rule and later Habsburg dynasty until the 1848 revolution. In 1918, Maramureș was re-united with the re-shaped Romania. The following decades were marked by the Second World War, the Nazi occupation and later by the communist regime. Although, these hardships, genuine art and folk traditions continued to flourish in Maramureș.
By the end of the middle ages, Maramures was under Hungarian rule and later Habsburg dynasty until the 1848 revolution. In 1918, Maramureș was re-united with the re-shaped Romania. The following decades were marked by the Second World War, the Nazi occupation and later by the communist regime. Although, these hardships, genuine art and folk traditions continued to flourish in Maramureș.
Description of the Coat of Arms of Maramureș County
Officially adopted in 1998, the coat of arms of Maramureș has the shape of a cut shield, with the wisent head as an ancient local symbol of the legendary founders of Maramures, Dragoş and Bogdan. The Carpathian Chamonix and the firs trees symbolize the natural resources of the area, while the mining gauge symbolizes the importance of the mining sector in the area. Centrally positioned, the wooden church comes to prove that our county has the largest number of wooden churches in the country.
Economic highlights
The industrial sector at county level has undergone major structural changes in recent times years, materialized in the disappearance or massive restructuring of some traditional industrial branches (extractive industry, metallurgical industry, construction industry machinery, building materials, textiles, etc.), generally energy-intensive and subsidized by the communist authorities, in favor of others with high competitiveness in the context international.
The most important contributors to the county’s turnover come from the manufacturing sector: the furniture manufacturing generates 29% of the yearly county’s turnover (top 5 most important furniture companies are locate here), followed by the 24% generated by the manufacturing of electrical equipment and components, while the wood processing sector contributes with 12,5%. Other important players in the county manufacturing sector are the metallurgical sector, the food industry and the rubber and plastic manufacturing.
Consequently, the development strategy of Maramures County is directed towards integrating innovation and competitiveness in the future sustainable growth initiatives ensuring the development of infrastructure and public utility services.
The most important contributors to the county’s turnover come from the manufacturing sector: the furniture manufacturing generates 29% of the yearly county’s turnover (top 5 most important furniture companies are locate here), followed by the 24% generated by the manufacturing of electrical equipment and components, while the wood processing sector contributes with 12,5%. Other important players in the county manufacturing sector are the metallurgical sector, the food industry and the rubber and plastic manufacturing.
Consequently, the development strategy of Maramures County is directed towards integrating innovation and competitiveness in the future sustainable growth initiatives ensuring the development of infrastructure and public utility services.
Culture, traditions and tourism landmarks
Maramureş is traditionally and ethnographically divided into 4 lands; each with different customs and lifestyles: the Land of Lăpuș, Chioar, Codru and Historical Maramures.
Each region has specific customs, traditional handmade costumes, myths, gastronomy, and other cultural peculiarities that can be experienced during social events, festivals and celebrations. Each year, more than 200 cultural and traditional events are organized in the communities of Maramureș, while our institution is engaged in the organization of two major cultural land marks in the calendar of traditional events.
"Christmas in Maramureş" is a major event held during the whole month of December, yearly celebrating winter ancient and Christian customs.
The event involves the tourists and shows the essence of the traditional and authentic Christmas activities, taking place even in remote traditional communities. The most expected moments within this month of celebrations, are the days before Christmas where on the premises of our Village Museum, tourists along with organizers are invited to prepare traditional Christmas foods in ancient ways, pots and places, witnessing every step in making out the best dishes this region can offer.
The event has counted so far 10 editions, promising each year to become more and more attractive for those nostalgic for authentic lifestyle. For more info about the event, please follow: https://www.craciuninmaramures.cjmaramures.ro/en.
The event involves the tourists and shows the essence of the traditional and authentic Christmas activities, taking place even in remote traditional communities. The most expected moments within this month of celebrations, are the days before Christmas where on the premises of our Village Museum, tourists along with organizers are invited to prepare traditional Christmas foods in ancient ways, pots and places, witnessing every step in making out the best dishes this region can offer.
The event has counted so far 10 editions, promising each year to become more and more attractive for those nostalgic for authentic lifestyle. For more info about the event, please follow: https://www.craciuninmaramures.cjmaramures.ro/en.
"Maramureș Days" represents the celebration of our county, taking place yearly, in May, through exhibitions, debates, traditional fairs and workshops, festivals, ethno parades. The event lasts for an entire week in Maramures, involving both local community, but having also international participation. Five editions have been organized until 2019.
Iconic events like: “Ambassadors’ Gala” and “Honour of Maramureș” come to summarize the efforts of the locals and Maramures lovers to promote this county as a destination of excellence. For more info about the event and other upcoming cultural events, please follow: https://www.cjmaramures.ro/activitate/comunicare/evenimente; https://www.cjmaramures.ro/attachments/info-utile/evenimente-culturale-2020.pdf
Iconic events like: “Ambassadors’ Gala” and “Honour of Maramureș” come to summarize the efforts of the locals and Maramures lovers to promote this county as a destination of excellence. For more info about the event and other upcoming cultural events, please follow: https://www.cjmaramures.ro/activitate/comunicare/evenimente; https://www.cjmaramures.ro/attachments/info-utile/evenimente-culturale-2020.pdf
Getting around Maramures
Maramureș is indeed a picturesque place, but we believe that one must see, feel and taste the experience of this destination. As each journey starts with a first step, in our case we can give you at least 12 reasons to start your adventure in Maramures. You will hear enchanted words like: Merry Cemetery, palinca, Mocanița Steam Train, wooden gates, wooden churches, and you will probably feel the need to find out more about this place.
We invite you to come, visit Maramureş, and discover its charm and stories using this dedicated application Visit Maramureş App that will guide each step in your journey. The App, run by Maramureș County Council will help you find the most attractive points of interest and events in the area, services: accommodation, restaurants, bars, points and tourist information offices.
