Visitors to Rogoz will find one of Romania’s greatest architectural treasures, a painstakingly detailed church known as the Wooden Church of the Holy Archangels. Situated along the valley of the Lapus River, where once a different church once stood in the spot, the current edifice was constructed in 1663 by the villagers of there. This church and others of the Wooden Churches of Maramureş, offer visitors a unique glimpse of what makes Romania so special in the world.
Wooden church Sf. Paraschiva in Rogoz - Courtesy Wikipedia
Numerous characteristics of the church make it to stand out as a true architectural treasure. For example, it displays a rare design that is characterized for using a polygonal narthex, a heptagonal apse altar, and a rectangular naos. Twisted rope motifs decorate the main beam in the vault, just above the naos. Rosette and rope motifs are common throughout the interior of the church, and the building has been richly decorated both inside and out.
Barsana Monastery - courtesy Adam Jones, Ph.D. & Photopedia
Every detail on the interior and exterior of the church was slowly and meticulously crafted, and no inch of either part is without intricate detail, often hand-cut and assembled by the villagers. Detail work includes the decorations on the interior and exterior walls, on the eaves, and on the steeple’s carefully carved crosses. Truly, the visitor to Romania, particularly this part of Transylvania, are in for a rare treat.
Biserica Sfânta Parascheva - courtesy Attila Szűcs & Photopedia
A more recent addition to the architectural detailing is the painting on the interior of the church. It utilizes styling and iconography with bright colors and equal lines that allow the icons to stand out on the walls of the church. It also features religious figures and other important characters. The Wooden Church of the Holy Archangels can be found in the village’s cemetery, not far from another church constructed entirely of wood but that was built later in 1883.
