Romania travel: Visit Săpânţa, home to the famous Merry Cemetery
Săpânţa, a charming commune in the beautiful county ofMaramureș, in northern Romania, attracts a large number of tourists every year, many of them being curious to discover the unique Merry Cemetery. But there are other things to do…
RI Newsroom · Journalist
· Updated · 3 min read
Săpânţa, a charming commune in the beautiful county ofMaramureș, in northern Romania, attracts a large number of tourists every year, many of them being curious to discover the unique Merry Cemetery. But there are other things to do inSăpânţaand the nearby villages, the area being perfect for travelers who want to experience the Romanian village life.
Discover Săpânţa ’s cheerful cemetery
Passing by the Merry Cemetery (Cimitirul Vesel) in Săpânţa, the place might seem rather strange to some: many of the people here are smiling in front of the colorfully painted wooden crosses decorated with epitaphs and illustrations. The Merry Cemetery is not quiet and solemn, but a place that celebrates life, putting smiles on the visitors’ faces.
Săpânţa is located about 20 km west of Sighetu Marmaţiei, in the fascinating county of Maramureș. The village’s graveyard, known as the Merry Cemetery, became famous for its colorful tombstones decorated with witty epitaphs and naive paintings representing scenes from the lives of the people buried there. The tradition began in 1935 at the initiative of local artist Stan Ioan Pătraș, who carved and painted the first crosses. From 1960 onwards, the entire cemetery was gradually filled with hundreds of such crosses, carved in oak, making it the unique site it is today.
Not far from the cemetery, there is the memorial house of Stan Ioan Pătraș, where visitors can learn more about the life and work of the man behind the Merry Cemetery.
Make a stop at Săpânţa -Peri Monastery
Visitors of Săpânţa should also make a stop at the Săpânţa-Peri Monastery, a place of worship representative for the region of Maramureș. The church is said to be the tallest wooden church in the world (78 m).
