Sighetu Marmatiei

Introduction

Sighetu Marmatiei (also spelled Sighet), with its 41.000 inhabitants, is the main town of the Maramureş region (northern Transylvania, Romania). Inhabited since the Stone Age, the settlement was first mentioned in 1334, and as town, in 1352. Today, Sighet is the gate of Maramureş, and one of its most important tourist attractions.

Sights and Activities

• The Memorial of the Victims of Communism and of the Resistance (the former prison of the Maramures County, built in 1897, today a museum of European significance, under the aegis of the Council of Europe).
• The Village Museum of Maramures (an open air museum, with over 30 wooden houses dated back to XVII-XIX centuries and a XVI century wooden church).
• The Elie Wiesel House (today "The Jewish Culture and Civilization Museum", the place where was born Elie Wiesel, laureate of the 1986's Nobel Prize for Peace).
• The Ethnographic Museum of Maramures (rich displays of XV-XIX icons, carpets, furniture and other ethnographical stuff).
• The Archaeological, History and Natural Sciences Museum (the former Piarist Monastery, built in 1730).
• The Calvin Church (the oldest building which survived-dated in XIV century, mixture of Gothic and New Gothic styles).
• The Roman-Catholic Church "Saint Carol Boromeu" (built between 1730-1806, Barocco style, sun clock above the entrance, an Armenian altar, paintings and statues).
• The Ukraininian Orthodox Church "Elevation of the Holy Cross" (built between 1791-1807, many saints relics).
• The Sephardic Synagogue was built in the Mauric-Renascentist style in 1900-1904.
• The Jewish Cemetery and the Soap Monument consist of 3.000 graves, like those of the founders of Chasidic movement-Teitelbaum dynasty. The Soap Monument contains two boxes filled with soap made by Jews gassed at Auschwitz death camp.
• The Cemetery of the Poor where lie buried in anonymous graves about 50 former Romanian dignitaries, ministers, bishops, academicians, journalists, who were killed in the Sighet jail during the 1950's.
• A Henschel & Sohn Steam Engine, built in 1943.
• The colourful Livestock Market takes place on the first Monday of each month.
• The Central Market is open daily, selling vegetables, fruits, dairy produces and handcrafts.
• The Cultural Palace (built in 1912-1913, looking like a medieval castle, Eccletic-Romantic style).

Events and Festivals

• The Winter Festival (see Maramureş).

Getting There

By Plane

By Train

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

By Foot

By Bike

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Budget

Mid-Range

Upscale

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

Romania's country code is +40. To dial to other countries from Romania, dial 00 and then the international number usually without the first 0.
Public phones work well and are available in all areas. You must purchase a phonecard from a kiosk to use them. When dialing within Romania, dial 0 + three digit area code + six digit telephone. The main providers of mobile telephones are Vodafone, Orange, Cosmote and Zapp.

Post

Posta Romana is the national postal service of Romania. Postal services are generally very affordable, reliable and reasonably fast. Post boxes are red and can be found near the post offices, along the street or in main train stations. Post offices can be found in even the smallest towns and the opening hours are generally Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 6:00pm and Saturday 8:00am to 12:00, closed on Sunday. You can buy stamps here or at kiosks. Prices for international mail start at around €0.55 and takes at least 3-5 days to countries within Europe. It's slightly cheaper and faster for domestic mail to be send. Intercontinental post is slightly more expensive but takes much longer. For more expensive but faster services you can also try international courier companies like TNT, DHL or UPS.