Centred around a photogenic, red-roofed church, Oncești is a tiny village in the Romanian county of Maramureș. It offers an authentic glimpse into Romanian village life and is just a short drive from the open-air cultural museum of Sighetu-Marmației.
Stroll through Oncești to admire the Biserica Ortodoxa, a beautiful church that comes to life with traditionally dressed worshippers each Sunday. Constructed from stone and brick in the 1930s, it’s topped by a soaring bell tower and houses a fresco painted by Dumitru and Maria Movilă.
Oncești’s former wooden church is now on display at the Maramureș Village Museum in the nearby city of Sighetu-Marmației. Dating back to the 16th century, the church is the oldest building at the museum and is fronted by royal doors featuring paintings of the disciples. Also within the Maramureș Village Museum are preserved Romanian, Hungarian and Ukrainian houses furnished with original decor.
Getting there
Oncești is around 20 minutes’ drive from Sighetu Marmației and 1.5 hours from Maramures International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting to Oncești and exploring the region.