It has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999 and is a listed historic monument, LMI code MM-II-m-A-04530.
About the place
The church stands on a low hill above the centre of Budești, in the Cosău Valley. Its timber was felled in the winter of 1642–1643, and the church is dated 1643. It is considered the largest wooden church of historic Maramureș: about 18 metres long and 8 metres wide, with a 26-metre tower. The spire is ringed by four small turrets, a detail found nowhere else in historic Maramureș.
The paintings in the nave and the icons of the iconostasis were made in 1762 by Alexandru Ponehalschi, and the altar paintings in 1812 by Ianoș Opriș. The narthex keeps a chain-mail shirt that tradition says belonged to the outlaw Pintea Viteazul. The church is one of eight Maramureș wooden churches that UNESCO inscribed in December 1999.
Good to know
- Visiting hours are not published, and services are held here only on major feast days; check before you set off whether it is open.
- In the narthex, look for the chain-mail shirt said to have belonged to the outlaw Pintea Viteazul.
- The water-powered whirlpool, fulling mill and grain mill of Sârbi are about 3 km north on the same road.
Opening hours
Opening hours are not confirmed. Check the venue's website before you go.