A quiet rural town near the Ukrainian border, Sighetu Marmatiei has beautiful churches, memorials and manicured parks. A living museum depicts miniature villages, reflecting the town’s affinity for history and education, while modern restaurants and pubs dish out traditional and international cuisine.
Things to do in Sighetu Marmaţiei
The most interesting cultural experience in Sighet is strolling through Village Museum, an eerily accurate recreation of life in centuries past. You’ll find tiny wooden cottages, cobblestone alleyways and miniature villages with period furnishings and shops. The associated Maramures Ethnographic Museum showcases folk costumes, textiles and masks.
Jewish culture is brought to life at the Sephardic Synagogue, one of the few remaining synagogues after World War II. You can visit the Jewish cemetery and community centre as well as the Elie Wiesel Memorial house, which honours the life and work of the Nobel Peace Prize winner and highlights Jewish history in Maramures.
For a look at Sighetu Marmatiei’s sombre past, stop by the Memorial Museum to the Victims of Communism and to the Resistance. It’s housed inside a former prison for political prisoners and showcases photographs and artefacts within cells and torture chambers.
When hunger strikes, head to Restaurant Rustic, where you can dine amongst old lanterns and cowbells while enjoying gyros and meat platters. At the upscale Casa Veche, you can order traditional Romanian specialities, including Transylvanian Soup and Outlaw’s Stew.
Getting around Sighetu Marmaţiei
You can rent a car at Baia Mare Airport, about 75 kilometres from Sighetu Marmatiei. The city is pedestrian-friendly, but buses and taxis are also available.