In Şoimuş, the highlights of a journey of discovery range from a nature reserve and wooden churches to archaeological settlements and local traditions. When planning, it is helpful to distinguish between these highlights: they are located in different places within the municipality or are tied to particular times of year. If you are looking for a hotel in Şoimuş, you can first consider whether nature, cultural history or a seasonal occasion will shape your stay.
Gorge landscape and the Mureş
Rezervația Boholt is a nature reserve of national interest in IUCN Category IV. It is located in Boholt, within the municipality of Şoimuş in Hunedoara County. The protected area covers one hectare and includes a gorge-like section of Valea Teiului with a canyon-like character. Forest vegetation and heat-loving plant species on limestone define the natural character of this small area. The Mureş is another landmark for the area: the river forms the southern boundary of Şoimuş.
Wooden churches and traces of their history
The wooden church “Sfântul Nicolae” in Şoimuş was built in 1705. In Sulighete, a village in the municipality, the church “Adormirea Maicii Domnului” stands on Bozănești Hill, overlooking the settlement in a broad hollow. Experts date its construction to before the 18th century. Its interior paintings were completed in 1890 by Dionisie Iuga of Nicula. The construction date and the paintings are two distinct historical reference points: the year 1890 refers to the paintings, not to the building of the church. Căinelu de Jos also has a wooden church, dating from the 18th century.
Archaeological settlements
The archaeological settlement “Aşezarea pluristratificată de la Şoimuş (Balata), Situl 1 – Varianta de ocolire Deva–Orăştie” lies in the Mureş floodplain, at the edge of a terrace on its right bank. Its settlement components span the Bronze Age, the La Tène period, the Classical Roman period, the Migration Period and the Early Middle Ages. “Aşezarea neo-eneolitică de la Şoimuş – Avicola” at La Avicola (Ferma 2) in Şoimuş offers a different perspective on the past. This settlement has phases associated with the Turdaş, Petreşti and Vinča cultures, as well as the early Coţofeni culture. The two sites therefore represent different archaeological classifications: one includes components from several historical periods, while the other has named cultural phases of the Neolithic and Eneolithic.
Local traditions and events
“Lina de la Sulighete” is the best-known folk dance of Şoimuş municipality. At Christmas and New Year, groups of young people in Sulighete go from house to house with drums, the Irozii and the star. This tradition is therefore clearly tied to the season. The “Balul Ciobanilor” also celebrates local customs: the festival honours pastoral values and the traditions of the Romanian village. It was held annually between 2014 and 2025; the September 2025 edition took place at Izvorul de Apă Acră, between Şoimuş and Boholt. If you are planning a trip for a later year, check the specific event dates.
Water activities
Vaporașul Șoimuș offers boat trips and fishing opportunities. Its harbour has facilities for mooring small boats and serves as a starting point for various excursions on the water. This adds a distinct activity option to the municipality’s landscape and cultural history.
When searching for hotels in Şoimuş, let your main interests guide your choice: the nature reserve offers a landscape-focused experience, while the churches and archaeological settlements provide different ways to explore cultural history. For a trip centred on Sulighete’s Christmas tradition, the season matters; for the “Balul Ciobanilor,” plan around that year’s dates.
Discover more destinations: Teliucu Inferior, Orăştie, Râu De Mori, Hățăgel, Uricani, Brad, Sarmizegetusa, Simeria
For the wider travel overview: Eisenmarkt.
