Discover Rus: Church, Archaeology and Nature on the Someș

Rus is home to the Orthodox stone church “Sfinții Arhangheli Mihail și Gavril”. It was built in 1894 and was originally Greek Catholic. During the interior renovation work carried out from 2008 to 2010, an iconostasis was made for the church. Until 1709, a wooden parish church stood at this location.

Culture and history

The archaeological sites also give Rus a historical dimension reaching far back into the past. Rus – “Șesul lui Măican” is an archaeological settlement site from the Bronze Age and the Early Middle Ages; its classification includes, among other periods, the 8th to 10th centuries AD. Rus – “Șesul Pietrei” is a prehistoric settlement site. Rus – “Peștera” is a settlement site from the Roman period; traces of a possible Roman stone quarry were identified there.

Landscape and nature

The Stanii Buzașului rock formations lie along the road between Rus and Buzaș. A legend connects the depression called Căldărușii in these rock formations with the outlaw Pintea. In the Cursul Mijlociu al Someșului protected area, among other species, the common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), white stork (Ciconia ciconia) and lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina) have been recorded.

Routes and regional context

County road DJ 108S provides access to Rus from the DN1C and also connects Rus with the commune of Șimișna. County road DJ 109E connects Fodora, Rus, Buzaș and Lozna towards the DN1H at the Ciocmani bridge; it runs parallel to the course of the Someș River.

In the wider area around Rus, Route 15 leads to the “Peșterile lui Pintea” limestone formations. It runs from Ileanda to Dăbăceni, crosses the river by ferry at Buzaș, passes through Buzaș and then continues along the local road between Buzaș and Rus; the stated duration is four hours. Route 15 therefore represents a separate excursion destination alongside the connections to and through Rus.

When comparing hotels in Rus, travel dates, room category and cancellation policies can be considered alongside the “Sfinții Arhangheli Mihail și Gavril” church, the archaeological settlement sites, the Stanii Buzașului rock formations and the protected area on the Someș. The aforementioned roads DJ 108S and DJ 109E, as well as the Someș, mark the reference points mentioned in Rus and the wider surrounding area.

Religion and customs

The foundation of the “Sfânta Maria-Rus” monastery began in 1997 under the direction of Mother Maria Terheș. The “Sfânta Maria” monastery is located on a terrace of the Someș in the Răfeni area and is accessible from the national road. At a spring patronal feast held by the “Sfânta Maria” monastery in Rus, a Divine Liturgy and water blessing were celebrated; numerous worshippers took part. In Rus, men take part every year on Easter Sunday, after attending church, in the Ciocotă, a competition involving the smashing of red eggs.

More destinations

At the same level, you will also find Hida, Sărmășag, Sânpetru Almașului, Crasna, Sâg, Bodia, Gârceiu and Vălişoara.

For the higher-level travel overview: Salaj.