Romanian Architecture
Barsana Monastery, Maramures, Romania 2012
Another artistic example of the wood work of master craftsmen in Romania. This (convent? guesthouse?) is on the estate of the Barsana Monastery and is newly renovated.
None of the old woodworking skills of the region have been lost. Ornate wooden gates are still being carved in the villages and steep roofed churches are being re-shingled in the traditional material.
Romanian craftsmen shingle a steep roofed church
We stopped in one of the village workshops where men carved the ornate rope design for a traditional gate. Inside the shop, out of the cold, the owner carved items for tourists. He was something of a celebrity as he had gone to many countries to build homes in the Romanian style. I felt obliged to purchase something and picked up a wooden cheese tray. I didn’t like the tray and several times, as I packed and re-packed, I thought of throwing it away, but in the end I brought it home. Once I cleaned it up, I could see that it was a thing of beauty. Every time I look at it, I’m happy that I have it.
Whittling Doo-Dads for Tourists
On Palm Sunday women in black kerchiefs and men wearing black felt hats walked to church in the pouring rain. The men placed their hats on the carved bench in the portico before they entered the church. Of course, the women kept their kerchief on out of respect and tradition. I loved going into those candle-lit churches. The old women’s faces gleamed like ivory in the shadows, the priests and choir sang the liturgy with resonant bass voices, and worshipers offered prayers in front of special icons accompanied by many signs of the cross. I felt at home.
Hand Carved Bench of Romania
To plan a visit to Maramures and other fascinating Romanian districts, contact Daniel Gheorghita at www.covinnus.com