Guru Humorulei, Moldavia, June 8th

On Thursday we left Sibiu and drove first to the Turda Salt mines where mining originally started in the 14thC. It was a long walk in and then a lift down. As you can imagine the cavern is huge.There is a ten pin bowling alley and a lake with little boats for hire.Altogether rather weird. It is not far from Cluj Napoka, a town of 230,000 people of whom 80,000 are students.  The Botanical Gardens are excellent even if we missed the 140 varieties of tulips. The city was a centre of Hungarian culture and there are fine 18thC buildings such as the Opera House. Later in the day we made our way to Surdesti church, built in 1720 and for a long time the tallest wooden building in Europe. We were within 100 m. of the Ukraine border.

 In the saltmine at Turda

 The beautifully carved pulpit in the catholic St Michael's church in Cluj Napoka.

Built in 1724, the church at Surdesti has a 72m tower. 

 

 Frescoes from Surdesti.

 

Making cheese in Maramures

 Typical elaborately carved wooden gate in Maramures region. The rope  symbolises the twists and turns of life.

 

 Haymaking season

Returning home after a day in the field,. note the wooden pitchfork.

Not sure what is in the basket.

General view of the countryside.

The village still in Iza. Plum and other fruit brandies are made.

Water power is used for various community activities in the village including a whirlpool washing machine for washing carpets.

George and I relax on the swings near the still, but we did not try the brandy.

Village weaving and embroidery.

Another local industry is painting icons on glass. St George and the dragon in this case.

Flower sellers in Sighet market.

The lovely cheese lady in Sighet market.

A few examples of the painted tombstones in Sapinta 'Merry Cemetery'.

I think this is Sapinta Peri, the tallest wooden structure in the world

In the village of Iza we stayed in an excellent homestay (they made excellent pickles and of course plum brandy). An added bonus was a Maramure folklore show.

The man on the left is our host.

Sunday morning and everybody is walking to church - dressed in their Sunday best.

The service at Barsan monastery was in full swing. It goes for about 4 hours and there is a lot of beautiful chanting by both monks and nuns.

The museum lady in Dragomiresti. The museum is in a 235 year old house. She is standing next to a dowry tree.

Some of a large flock of sheep being driven through town.

General view of one of the famous Bucovina painted monasteries.

The siege of Constantinople.

The red tassels are to get the horse used to traffic on the road.