In Fizeșu Gherlii Commune, points of interest range from the history of Nicula Monastery to a special protected area: Lacul Știucii. An annual pilgrimage and several museum collections also shape the area. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can first consider whether religious tradition, cultural history or nature will define your stay.
Nicula Monastery and its collections
Nicula Monastery has been known since 1552 as one of the oldest monastic centres in Romania. From 1659, it also served as an imperial school attended by children from the surrounding villages. These historical aspects give the monastery several layers of significance: it is both a religious centre and a place with a longstanding connection to education and the regional community.
The residents of the village learned Nicula’s tradition of painting on glass, which the monks continue to preserve today. There is also a centre for painting icons on glass within the monastery grounds. The monastery’s museum collection is housed in Nicula and includes religious artworks, icons on glass and wood, and rare books. Among them is Varlaam’s Cazania, printed in 1643. Those interested in the history of books and art will find here a different kind of evidence from that offered by the living tradition of glass painting.
The historic buildings also include the wooden church in Nicula. Dating from the 17th century, it was moved here from the hamlet of Năsal–Fânaţe. Its history and preserved collection items draw attention to different forms of cultural heritage: a building, religious images and books.
Pilgrimage: date and route details
The pilgrimage “La Nicula colo-n deal” was launched in 2011 and, up to and including the 2026 edition, was held on foot every year except 2020. It is traditionally held on 15 August; future editions may vary. The pilgrimage is considered the largest in Transylvania. For travellers interested in religious traditions, the date is therefore an important point of reference when planning.
For the August 2026 pilgrimage, the walking route of about seven kilometres ran from Gherla to the wooden church at Nicula Monastery. This edition’s route took approximately three hours; the duration may vary depending on conditions. Check the route details locally before travelling. These distance and time details refer to the documented pilgrimage and are not a general walking time for other visits.
Lacul Știucii and the floating islands
Lacul Știucii is in the village of Săcălaia, within Fizeșu Gherlii Commune, and is a nature reserve of national interest. It is known for its plaur: floating islands covered with reeds that form on the water’s surface. The lake is considered the only one in Romania with this feature. The term plaur refers not simply to reeds along the shore, but to floating islands on the water. If you are planning activities in the protected area, check the local regulations in force beforehand.
Museums and architectural history in Fizeșu Gherlii
The school museum in Fizeșu Gherlii has a cactus collection with numerous species from around the world. It also displays rare regional plants, including lady’s slipper orchids. The collections thus bring together a global botanical perspective and remarkable plants from the surrounding area. Check whether the school museum is currently open to the public before visiting.
The Ecclesiastical and Diaspora Museum displays a model of the former wooden bell tower of the Reformed Calvinist church in Fizeșu Gherlii. The church’s history includes its construction in 1675, repairs in 1761 and its complete demolition in 1930. The model, architectural history and plant collections offer different cultural points of interest, rather than focusing on just one attraction.
Discover more destinations: Săcălaia, Iara, Rasca, Mărgău Commune, Sancraiu, Baciu, Gârbău Commune, Măguri - Răcătău Commune.
For the wider travel overview: Cluj-Napoca.
