Wooden Churches in Transylvania and Maramures (Romania)

One of the most characteristic architectural features in the northwestern region of Romania are wooden churches. The wooden churches of Transylvania and Maramures were built between the 17th and 20th centuries for the Romanian Orthodox inhabitants of the eastern area of what was the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Whereas "mainstream" Reformist and Catholic churches were large and built of stone masonry, the churches of Orthodox Christians had to be small and constructed of wood (in part, to prevent large congregations of potential revolutionaries). 

The churches are generally entered from a side door into a porch. The main space with seating was reserved for men, while the porch or an upper gallery was for women. The body of the churches were constructed of massive wooden beams that were bonded only by joints and wooden pegs. All other components - roof and decoration - were fastened in similar manners. The interiors were highly ornate with painted walls and and iconostasis. The exterior walls were also frequently painted. Unfortunately, most of the exterior paintings have vanished. 

Here are a few examples:

Church of the Holy Assumption at Zimbor. 

Constructed in 1643, the Church of the Holy Assumption in Zimbor is one of the oldest wooden churches in Salaj County. The church is located in a prominent position on a hill to the east of Zimbor, overlooking the Almas River valley. The body of the church consists of a rectangular structure, which contains the pronaos and nave; the altar is set within a linear apse. The dimensions of the building are 11.6 x 5.2 meters with a height of 6.9 meters; the height of the steeple is 15.2 meters. The exterior is simple with several small windows on the long walls and behind the altar. There is a rope motif that surrounds the building. The rectangular door is framed by three rope motifs and at the center of the frame, above the door, is a representation of a key stone. The elements which support the roof are embellished by a series of small rectilinear steps. The interior still bears painted images of Christ and the Apostles, saints, and other religious figures. The doorway between the pronaos and nave is embellished by rope motifs and painted geometric figures.

Church of the Holy Apostles at Bozna

The Church of the Holy Apostles is perched beautifully upon a hill overlooking the town of Bozna (Salaj). The date of the church has not been established with precision. It was constructed in the 18th century, possibly in the second half of the century, based upon the small size of the oak beams. The building is rectilinear with a large chamber with the pronaos and naos and a smaller rectangular chamber for the altar. The exterior is embellished by a horizontal rope motif on all walls. The door is framed by a simple rope motif. There is a broad porch with 'Y' shaped posts on the south side. The steeple was repaired in the later 19th or 20th century and has simple planks of wood on the vertical element. Small, heart-shaped apertures serve as windows. The interior was painted; however, the images are in poor condition, save a small number of panels representing the Assumption. The ceiling is flat.

Church of Archangels Michael and Gabriel at Rogoz

Built in 1663, on the location of a previous church destroyed by the Tartars two years earlier, the wooden church at Rogoz is a UNESCO monument. The church consists of a pronaos over which is a gallery, a naos, and an apse. The interior ceiling is vaulted. The wooden architecture upon a stone foundation is standard; however, there are interesting stylistic features. The doorframe is heavy and consists of two posts cut into the figure '1' with the flanges facing each other. A trapezoidal lintel spans the space of the door, supported by two short beams. There is an ornate cross to the left of the door. The beams supporting the roof are not in the usual rectilinear manner, but were cut into rounded lobes. The bell tower is embellished by four small spires at the corners of the main spire. The painting cycle inside the church is very well preserved. The paintings were made in 1785 by Radu Munteanu from Ungareni and Nicolae Man of Poiana Porcului. Scenes include episodes from the book of Genesis and the Life of Christ, as well as saints. The Last Judgement occupies a large port of the walls. On the north side of the church, along one of the long walls is a table consisting of three massive oak beams ca. 10 meters in length

Church of Archangels Michael and Gabriel at Sanpaul

Originally built in 1722, the Church of Archangels Michael and Gabriel in Sanpaul is a small treasure. The building is proportionately broader than most wooden churches, with dimensions of 8.9 x 6.3 meters. The body of the church consists of a rectangular structure, which contains the pronaos and nave, and a three-walled altar chamber in the form of a linear apse. An unusual feature of the church is the front porch with a door on the short wall facing the altar. The section of the roof above the porch is supported by a series of posts that are linked by wood arches. The posts and arches are fixed by a clever system of joints. The door is highlighted by a simple frame. There are traces of painted decoration on the facade wall. The interior still bears an impressive cycle of paintings that were made by an artist from Gilau in 1788. The paintings include medallions with saints and scenes from the New Testament. Many of the borders are embellished by beautiful floral patterns. An early 20th century renovation saw the addition of tin panels to the roof.