Săliștea de Sus is best explored through its wooden architecture. Two wooden churches represent different historical stories; the church in Nistorești is also the only place of worship in Maramureș with two bell towers. A wooden school, two mineral springs and historic wooden houses in the nearby museum context complete the picture. Routes range from a named stretch of road to a longer connection through several places.
Wooden Churches with Their Own Histories
The wooden church of “Sfântul Nicolae” in Nistorești, Săliștea de Sus, was built in 1680 by a wealthy family descended from a certain Nistor. The fir wood used for the construction came from the place known as “Gruiul Rusului.” With two bell towers, the church is the only place of worship in Maramureș with this feature. Some of the icons can be attributed to the work of the painter Alexandru Ponehalschi. The construction year, the source of the wood and the cautious attribution of individual icons offer different ways of understanding the same building.
The wooden church of “Sfântul Nicolae” in Buleni is associated with a different history. According to tradition, it was rebuilt in 1724 after the Tatar attack of 1717. The church is dated to 1717–1724; another date given is 1736. Compared with the Nistorești church, built in 1680, the Buleni church is notable for the tradition of its rebuilding and the differing dates.
Wooden Buildings in a Museum Setting
The Maramureș Village Museum in Sighetu Marmației is nearby. Casa Țicală (Chiș) and Casa Iuga de Săliște are catalogued there as houses from Săliștea de Sus. Casa Țicală dates from the last quarter of the 17th century; Casa Iuga de Săliște is also dated to the late 17th century. The comparison shows two examples from a similar period, with Casa Țicală placed more precisely in the last quarter of the century. This offers a way to explore the town’s wooden architecture beyond its churches.
Săliștea de Sus is also home to the last wooden school in Maramureș. There are two mineral springs in the town, one of which is saline. Together with the churches and the houses in the museum setting, these buildings and local features provide a broader context for exploring local history.
Roads, Excursions and Cycling Routes
The DJ 186 road section runs from Bârsana through Săliștea de Sus to Săcel. On the 150-kilometre route from Baia Mare to Borșa, Săliștea de Sus is one stop; the route passes through Cavnic, Bârsana, Săliștea de Sus and Moisei. Another excursion listing describes a full tour lasting 10–12 hours. It includes travel to and from Borșa Fântâna, a visit to both wooden churches in Săliștea de Sus, and the return to Baia Mare via the Iza Valley. When planning, keep the distance and duration separate: the 150 kilometres refer to the longer route, while the 10–12 hours refer to the full excursion, including the church visits and the return journey.
A classic, fully asphalted cycling loop also passes through Săliștea de Sus: Vișeu de Sus–Bogdan Vodă–Vișeu de Sus. It differs from the DJ 186 as a loop between Vișeu de Sus and Bogdan Vodă, while the named road section connects Bârsana with Săcel. The routes therefore take different forms: a road corridor through the town, a longer connection between Baia Mare and Borșa, and a paved loop.
Discover more destinations: Coruia, Satu Nou de Jos, Petrova, Cavnic, Săcel, Poienile Izei, Baia Mare, Giulești.
For the regional travel overview: Maramureş.
