Baia Mare
One of the most important mining centers of Romania, Baia Mare has a history of more than 2,000 years of gold, silver, and other nonferrous metals extraction. First mentioned in 1329, Baia Mare has preserved some its medieval past around the main town square, Piata Libertatii. The oldest house here, dating from the 1440s, stands on the east side of the square, a lone remnant of a long-gone castle built by Transylvanian prince Iancu de Hunedoara for his wife Elisabeta. The house, appropriately named Casa Elisabeta, is used these days to house temporary art exhibits. Towering above the square is the Gothic-style 120-foot-tall watchtower, Stephen’s Tower (Turnul lui Stefan), spanning six centuries of history.
Nearby Attractions
Baia Mare makes an excellent starting point for the numerous cultural and natural attractions in the Maramures region, dominated by a landscape of mountains and rolling hills.
The Gutai, Lapus, Tibles Maramures and Rodnei Mountains are cut by passes including the Huta, Gutai, Prislop, Setref and Botiza. Three large valleys cross the region: the Viseu, Iza and Mara.
The Rodnei Mountains National Park, a natural reserve filled with a rich diversity of flora and fauna, has been awarded biosphere status by UNESCO. Here, chamois leap between rocks, eagles’ cries ring out overhead and as the snows recede in the spring, crocus and other flowers cut swaths of dazzling colors across the landscape.