Nowadays, churches are spaces meant to offer spiritual shelter against the exterior turmoil, but there was a time when they were key elements in assuring the security of those who built them.

The churches from Maramures share some architectural characteristics: they are made of wood, they are narrow, tall and their bell towers are heightened beyond the known proportions of an orthodox building. Sometimes, even the foundations are made of wood, the walls consist of horizontally positioned oak trunks, the shingles resemble the fish scales and they have porches decorated with geometrical motifs. The towers (tall and sharp – a reason why the churches are considered to have been influenced by the Gothic art) were used not only to call the believers to the sermon, but also as observation points, from where the locals could be warned against approaching dangers. Since 1999, eight of these churches have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

The Barsana Church is located on the Iza Valley, 17 km far from Sighetu Marmatiei and 55 km far from Baia Mare. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and it was built in 1720 and, after the monks living here left it, it was moved several times by the locals, until it was definitely positioned in its present location in 1806. Its name comes from “barsan”, a sort of shepherd who used to keep the wool of his sheep long.

The church is famous for its two level portico and it has preserved the original interior decorations which were made by placing painted textile pieces on the wall, on which it was later applied a lime layer (this technique was used for the other churches, as well). The paintings are based on white, blue, red and green colors and their artistic effect is combined with the few light beams that enter the church through the small windows.

The Desesti Church is situated on the Mara Valley, 41 km North-East of Baia Mare and 26 km South of Sighetu Marmatiei. It was built in 1770 and it is dedicated to Saint Parascheva. The door frame is richly decorated, as if it were surrounded by a wooden rope. The church charms through its simplicity and through its interior paintings, of which some were executed by Radu Munteanu, an artist whose influences can be traced in several other wooden churches.

The Doomsday is thoroughly depicted in the narthex and one of the most impressive images is that of the river from hell, taking the souls of the sinners towards the Leviathan and painted in an extremely bright red on the Southern wall.

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