Desești: Culture and Nature in Maramureș

Desești is a destination with clear historical and scenic points of connection. Cultural heritage, protected natural areas, a long-standing series of events and a hiking route offer different ways to plan your trip.

When planning a trip to Desești, these themes can be given separate consideration: the wooden church and the use of wood for houses and outbuildings form a cultural focus; Creasta Cocoșului and Iezerul Mare represent different natural features; the poetry evenings add an events focus to the destination. The hiking route forms an independent connection between Desești, Culmea Pietrei and Iezerul Mare.

Culture

The “Cuvioasa Paraschiva” wooden church in Desești was built in 1770. Its interior paintings date from 1780 and are attributed to the fresco painter Radu Munteanu and his assistant Gheorghe. The “Cuvioasa Paraschiva” wooden church is part of the UNESCO World Heritage ensemble “Wooden Churches of Maramureş”.

In Desești, the tradition of using wood for houses and outbuildings has been preserved. Vasile Pop continues this tradition by restoring wooden churches. Anyone wishing to explore cultural themes through construction dates, interior painting and the use of wood can compare these aspects separately.

A virtual tour of the “Sf. Paraschiva” wooden church in Desești is available on the UNESCO church portal.

Nature

The Creasta Cocoșului nature reserve lies within the administrative territory of the Comuna Desești in the Gutâi Mountains, between the basin of the Cavnic River and the valley of the Mara River. Controlled tourism and educational activities are permitted in the Creasta Cocoșului special protection area within the administrative territory of the Comuna Desești.

The Iezerul Mare moor is located in Hărnicești in the Comuna Desești and covers 5 hectares. It lies on the Igniș–Mara pyroxene andesites; the peat layer there is an average of 7 metres thick. The Iezerul Mare moor was designated a protected natural area in order to preserve the natural features typical of active bogs.

For comparing the natural features, geographical location, area, geological substrate and protection status can be used as different points of reference.

Events

The “Serile de Poezie Nichita Stănescu” have been held in Desești since 1979. The 43rd edition of the “Serile de poezie Nichita Stănescu” took place in Desești from 14 to 16 October 2022. Since 2000, the Grand Prize “Nichita Stănescu” has also been awarded at the “Serile de Poezie Nichita Stănescu”.

To place the series in a timeline, you can consider its beginning in 1979, the specific dates of the 43rd edition and the award presentation, which has been held since 2000, side by side.

More destinations

For further trip planning, you can also visit Baia Mare, Moisei, Seini, Strâmtura, Remeţi, Mittelstadt, Suciu de Sus and Hoteni.

Hiking route

Nature and route-related topics can be considered separately for your planning. A hiking route from Desești via Culmea Pietrei to Iezerul Mare follows an old path at the summit of Pietrei and passes through the Iezerul Mare moor.

For the overarching travel overview: Maramureş.