Budești Josani Church: a UNESCO wooden church in Maramureș
Budești Josani Church is the wooden church of Saint Nicholas in the village of Budești, in the Cosău valley of Maramureș, Romania. Dated to 1643, it is the largest wooden church of historic Maramureș and one of eight wooden churches of the region on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Its builders left no date that survives: the inscription of 1643 was lost in 1923, yet tree-ring dating of the logs proved the year, felled in the winter of 1642–43.
The history of Budești Josani Church
Budești is an ancient settlement, founded before 1361, at the foot of the Gutâi Mountains in the valley of the Cosău river, close to its springs and about 30 km south of Sighet. In 1361 it was part of the Romanian knezate of the Cosău valley, and it is first mentioned in a charter of King Louis the Great in that same year. Today’s village was formed by the merging of two old settlements, and its cultural wealth lies in two wooden churches, those of Susani (“Upper”) and Josani (“Lower”).
The church of Josani was raised by the village community on a small hill that dominates the centre of the settlement. An inscription above the portal gave the date 1643, but it was lost when the entrance was enlarged in 1923. Tree-ring analysis later confirmed the date, showing that the timbers were felled in the winter of 1642–43. The same master carpenter seems to have built the wooden churches at Slătioara (before 1639) and Sârbi Susani (1639).
With a length of 18 metres, a width of 8 metres and a tower 26 metres high, it is the largest wooden church in historic Maramureș. It has the three traditional rooms: a polygonal altar apse to the east, a nave and a porch (pronaos), both rectangular. The altar is covered by a half-dome, a form borrowed from masonry architecture and translated into wood, the nave by a half-cylindrical vault raised on brackets, and the porch carries the bell tower on massive ceiling beams. A single steep shingle roof covers all three rooms, and a double eave runs all round, protecting the walls from damp.
The slim tower rises over the porch, with a belfry gallery of three arcades on each side below its sharp spire. The spire is framed by four small turrets, a feature found nowhere else in historic Maramureș.
Inside, most of the paintings and icons date from 1762, when the painter Alexandru Ponehalschi worked here. The paintings are scenes separated by coloured bands, in light, clear colours. The icons form the iconostasis on the east wall of the nave, with rows of the twelve apostles, the Deësis, prophets and a great Crucifixion scene. The vault of the nave is bare, because its painted canvas was torn away. The painting of the altar apse is dated 1812 and signed by Ianoș Opriș, in a Baroque style. The church also holds many wooden icons of the 17th and 18th centuries and a valuable collection of icons painted on glass. In December 1999 UNESCO included Budești Josani among eight wooden churches of Maramureș on the World Heritage List.
Curiosities about Budești Josani Church
- The inscription of 1643 over the portal no longer exists, but dendrochronology fixed the date: the logs were felled in the winter of 1642–43.
- The same master carpenter is thought to have built this church and those of Slătioara and Sârbi Susani.
- The spire is framed by four small turrets, a feature not found in any other church of historic Maramureș.
- Part of the chain mail of Pintea Viteazul, a legendary outlaw of Maramureș, is kept inside the church.
- An icon of Saint John the Baptist comes from an older church built before the 15th century. A Slavonic inscription in one corner says it was made by “Gheorghe, the sinner”.
- The village has two wooden churches: Josani, “Lower”, and Susani, “Upper”.
Tours near Budești Josani Church
Experiences in the area that you can book online with Viator:
Visiting Budești Josani Church: what to see
- Look at the roof first: one steep shingle roof with a double eave covers the whole church, and the tower rises above the porch.
- Count the four small turrets around the spire, which are unique in historic Maramureș.
- Inside, look for the iconostasis of 1762 by Alexandru Ponehalschi and the Baroque painting of the altar apse of 1812.
- Three other Maramureș wooden churches are close by: Desești about 9 km away, Bârsana about 13 km, Ieud about 22 km and Rogoz about 28 km.
- Check the current opening hours before you go, as a village church may not be open at all times.
Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.
Map: where Budești Josani Church is
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Photos of Budești Josani Church
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Questions
Where is Budești Josani Church?
It stands on a small hill in the village of Budești, in the Cosău valley of Maramureș, at the foot of the Gutâi Mountains and about 30 km south of Sighet.
Is Budești Josani Church a UNESCO site?
Yes. It is one of eight wooden churches of Maramureș inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in December 1999.
When was Budești Josani Church built?
It is dated to 1643. The inscription was lost, but tree-ring dating shows the logs were felled in the winter of 1642–43.
How big is Budești Josani Church?
It is 18 metres long and 8 metres wide, with a tower 26 metres high, which makes it the largest wooden church in historic Maramureș.
Who painted the inside of Budești Josani Church?
Most of the paintings and icons were made in 1762 by Alexandru Ponehalschi. The painting of the altar apse, from 1812, is by Ianoș Opriș.
What other wooden churches are near Budești Josani?
The wooden church in Desești is about 9 km away, Bârsana about 13 km, Ieud about 22 km and Rogoz about 28 km.
Also nearby
Saint Parascheva Wooden Church, Desești
Maramureș · painted wooden church, UNESCO site
9 km away
Church of the Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple in Bârsana
Bârsana · UNESCO wooden church, moved twice
13 km away
Ieud Hill Church
Maramureș · UNESCO wooden church with painted walls
22 km away
Stephen’s Tower
Baia Mare · medieval bell tower with city views
28 km away