Romania (#15): Wooden Churches, Ieud Deal

Ieud ... along the Ieud River, 40 kilometers from Vadu-Izei, is the ancient and beautiful village of Ieud. Archaeological discoveries show this village dates back to the Bronze Age. Ieud also has two distinctive wooden churches which have been declared historical and architectural monuments.

The first one is 'The Birth of Virgin Mary ' Church on the hill, built in 1364 and it is the oldest church in Maramures. It is built from pine and fir wood with small windows, double roof and a single, impressive steeple. The paintings are original, dating from the 15th -16th century and their condition is relatively good. The church also has a collection of glass painted icons. Inside, the stairs to the tower are carved in one piece of wood. 'Zbornicul' or ' The Book of Laws' was discovered in the attic, unique in the country and the oldest manuscript in the Romanian language printed in 1543 in Brasov. The church was closed for visitation.

Ieud is known for the preservation of its traditional customs as well as its traditional architecture. The people here dress and act the same as they did hundreds of years ago. Every year in July the people of Ieud celebrate with a multi-day festival of traditional culture called "Ieud Cultural Days." "Ieud is the place where a divorce and abortion has never been recorded.

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Travel & Events

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• Romania
• Maramures
• Bukovina
• Wooden Churches
• Ieud Church
• Ieud Cemetery
• Birth Virgin Mary
• Travel