| Added by |
 Andreea Nicoleta
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| General Description : | The Wooden Churches of Maramureș in the Maramureş region of northern Transylvania are a group of almost one hundred churches of different architectural solutions from different periods and areas. They are Orthodox churches. The Maramureș churches are high timber constructions with characteristic tall, slim bell towers at the western end of the building. They are a particular vernacular expression of the cultural landscape of this mountainous area of northern Romania. Maramureș is one of the better-known regions of Romania, with autonomous traditions since the Middle Ages - but still not much visited. Its well-preserved wooden villages and churches, its traditional lifestyle, and the local colourful dresses still in use make Maramureș as near to a living museum as can be found in Europe. The wooden churches of the region that still stand were built starting in the 17th century all the way to 19th century. Some were erected on the place of older churches. They are a response to a prohibition against the erection of stone Orthodox churches. The churches are made of thick logs, some are quite small and dark inside but several of them have impressive measures. They are painted with rather "naïve" Biblical scenes, mostly by local painters. The most characteristic features are the tall tower above the entrance and the massive roof that seems to dwarf the main body of the church. Eight were listed by the UNESCO as World Heritage Sites in 1999, for their religious architecture and timber construction traditions. These are: Bârsana, Budeşti, Deseşti, Ieud, Plopiş, Poienile Izei, Rogoz, Şurdeşti. |
| Face value | 200 Lei |
| Catalog code (Michel) | 5243 |
| Series | Biserici din Maramures - Romania 1997 |
| Place in series | 1 |
| Stamp colour | Policolor |
| Stamp use | Commemorative stamp |
| Print run | 500000 |
| Issue date | 21/04/1997 |
| Paper type | Stamp |
| Print technique | Photogravure |
| Printed by | Romfilatelia |
| Perforation | comb 13½ x 13¼ |
| Height | 42.00 mm |
| Width | 28.00 mm |
| Catalog prices | No catalog prices set yet |
