Study Tour 5
Meeting the local people - discovering cultural identity
- Route: Ciurila – Băișoara – Iara
Wander and wonder
The wooden church in Ciurila dates back to 1755, in the 18th century. It is dedicated to “The Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel”, it is one of the oldest churches in the surroundings of Cluj, a historical monument. Its design is functional, reflecting the resources and craftmanship of the time with minimal ornamentation. This church was a significant part of the rural community and played a vital role in the religious and cultural life of the era.
- Location: Ciurila
Meet a family of folk craftsmen & workshop
In Băișoara, we will visit a family of folk craftsmen, the lady engages in various textile crafts such as sewing, knitting, and embroidery, producing a wide assortment of items. These can include clothing, textiles, and more. On the other hand, the gentleman is a woodcarver, crafting a diverse array of products that serve both practical and decorative purposes, including kitchen utensils and ornamental furniture. These skilled artisans contribute to the creation of unique, handcrafted items with a personal touch. while her husband carves wood. Along with them we will take part in a handicraft workshop that will teach you how to make beautiful traditional objects.
- Location: Băișoara
Meet Liana Nemeș & workshop
Afterwards, we will discover a local household where we will meet Mrs. Liana Nemeș who will show us how to make a homemade and delicious bread from scratch. Homemade bread baked in traditional wooden oven in Romania is a cherished culinary tradition. Baking bread in a wooden oven it is not just about the product but also the continuation of cultural tradition passed down from generations. The result is a delicious rustic bread with a distinctive flavour and texture that is hard to replicate in modern electric ovens. It is a symbol of community, tradition, and the love for wholesome, homemade food.
- Location: Iara
In the area of Transylvania, there is this kind of bread that we call whipped bread (pâine bătută), which is best made in the wood oven. Liana makes bread as she learned from her mother. Her bread is exactly like the one she used to eat as a child: made of just a few ingredients, kneaded by hand in a wooden mat, left to leaven overnight, baked in a wood-heated bread oven. Specialists would call it slow bread. She calls it the bread of grandparents.
We are proud to say that we contributed to the small business of Mrs. Nemeș, because she set up a local gastronomy point through a LAG project. She will present us the project and her journey of success. This is a place that welcomes people from the local community, but also tourists and visitors to try traditional dishes made with local, fresh ingredients.
- Food: at the Nemeș local gastronomic point
Wander and wonder meet local people
We will unwind by visiting a traditional restored house in Borzești village, location where we will also have the chance to talk to the villagers and the locals. Visiting a traditional house in Romania is a journey back in time to a world of rustic charm and cultural heritage. Upon entering the house, you are welcomed by the warm, earthy aroma of wood, the interior is adorned with hand woven textiles, colorful carpets, and intricately carved wooden furniture. Outside, the garden is a tapestry of vibrant flowers and herbs and you will be offered a taste of homemade palinca as a sign of hospitality. It is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the traditions and folklore of Romania where the past and the present coexist in perfect harmony.
- Location: Borzești, Iara
