Bârsana Monastery
Mănăstirea Bârsana
A wooden monastery complex on a hillside of the Iza Valley. Its 57-meter spire church and gardens make it the most photogenic spot in Maramureș.
The history of Bârsana Monastery dates back to the 18th century. It was rebuilt on the original site in 1993 by local craftsmen using traditional Maramureș timber techniques. A spire church about 57 meters tall, carved wooden gates, a bell tower, a summer altar, the house of icon painters and nuns' quarters are scattered across neatly trimmed gardens and grassy slopes. It is the best place to see Maramureș wooden architecture. Entry to the grounds is free, though the museum charges a small fee, and it is open during the daytime. Visitors entering the church should dress modestly, and women can borrow aprons and headscarves. The monastery is about 20 kilometers from Sighetu Marmației, roughly 25 minutes by car. It is usually combined with the wooden churches of Ieud and Poienile Izei in the Iza Valley as a day trip.
Opening hours
Approx. 08:00–20:00
Nearby sights
- Wooden Church of Poienile Izei
- Ocna Șugatag Salt Lakes
- Wooden Church of Budești Josani
- Wooden Church of Ieud Deal
- Breb
- Maramureș Village Museum
- Wooden Church of Desești
- Elie Wiesel Memorial House