If you ask me what I associate withis Romanian culture in Transcarpathia, then The first thing that remember most are two settlements - Nyzhnya Apsha and Solotvynothat in the Tyachiv region, аt is here that the largest number of representatives of the Romanian ethnic minority in Ukraine is located.

Second. - salt mines and lakes, where the famous "salt route" to Western Europe began in the Middle Ages. 

Salt has been mined in the upper Tisza River basin for a long time. Solotvyno was one of the first such places, and its deposit is one of the largest in the Carpathian region.

At the present stage, Lake Kunigunda, which is also called the analogue of the Dead Sea in Ukraine, is a special magnet for holidaymakers. In fact, its salt concentration ranges from 146-150 ‰, which is half that of its Middle Eastern counterpart. But this does not diminish its recreational potential. So now Solotvyno has specialised facilities where people are treated for asthma, tuberculosis, respiratory and nervous system diseases using salt in different concentrations.

But if you explore the topic in more depth, you will find that local Romanians have a lot to boast about. This is a unique layer of culture with interesting architecture and customs, where the experience of several generations of two ethnic groups has been synthesised.

Romanians are the second largest national minority in Transcarpathia after Hungarians. In total, they make up just over 32,000 people, who live compactly in the villages of Tyachiv district: Solotvyno, Dibrova, Hlyboky, Potik, Topchyno, Podishor, Besku, Korbunesti, Maly Boutz, Bila Tserkva, Serednie Vodyane, Dobryk. And one more, Plaiuts, belongs to the Velyky Bychkiv community in the Rakhiv region.

Most of these villages were founded in the thirteenth century by immigrants from Northwestern Wallachia and Southern Transylvania. Therefore, it is not surprising that the first Romanian-speaking settlers here were called Vlachs. It was only in the nineteenth century that the name "Romanians" began to appear in documents.

Almost all the villages are mono-ethnic, and more than 90% are ethnic Romanians who have lived here for centuries, passing down through the generations. Ion Botosh, an ethnic Romanian, recalls how the eras have changed here:

"My grandfather was born in Austria-Hungary. He went to an Austro-Hungarian school for two grades and a Romanian school for two grades. He grew up in Czechoslovakia, got married in Carpathian Ukraine, retired in the Soviet Union, and died in Ukraine. And during this time, he never changed his home." 

Long-term contacts between Romanians and Ukrainians have led to the emergence of a number of common features in wooden folk architecture, certain elements of clothing and folk cuisine. But at the same time, the Romanian population preserves and protects its specific cultural elements.

If you are interested in a crash course in Romanian culture, you should visit the Uzhhorod Skansen, which presents the entire ethnic diversity of Transcarpathia. It is here that a traditional Romanian house from the village of Serednie Vodyane is located. You can see the main features of traditional housing construction.

However, to fully immerse yourself in Romanian traditions, you should undoubtedly visit their places of residence, listen to the language, and learn about their customs.

Therefore, we offer three of the most striking places where you can see the unique heritage of Romanians in Zakarpattia.

Museum of History and Ethnography of Romanians in Transcarpathia (Nyzhnya Apsha village)

Ukrainian Romanians preserve their ancient traditions and keep the memory of their ancestors alive. Ion Botosh, a doctor and writer, as well as an ethnic Romanian, founded the only Museum of History and Ethnography of Romanians in Transcarpathia in the village of Nyzhnia Apsha in Tyachiv region. The collection includes Romanian embroidery, authentic clothing, towels, household items, icons, books, and manuscripts.

Ion collected everything himself, and he takes care of the antiques himself.

This museum is unique, and not only because it was formed by a person who learned it on his own. In addition to household items and clothing, the museum also houses the "Diplomas of the Maramures Region" written in 1900 by Magali de Apshea. There are mentions of every village in the Maramures region.

Wooden churches in the village of Serednie Vodyane

Two ancient architectural monuments have been preserved in the village - churches from the early seventeenth century. Ethnographer Vasyl Kotsan notes that both churches are identical in style and are dedicated to the same saint, St Nicholas. One church is called St Nicholas Upper and the other is called St Nicholas Lower. Both churches are architectural monuments of national importance.

The church of St. Nicholas the Great, built in 1428, has a seventeenth-century iconostasis and some wall paintings. The log cabins of this church are considered to be the oldest in Ukraine.

The churches in Serednye Vodyane retained many features of the strict defensive architecture of the 13th-14th centuries. The log cabins on the doors are without decorations, the windows are small, similar to loopholes. A tall tower with an open gallery and a pyramidal end rises above the Babynets. All of this gives the churches in Serednyi Vodyane a harsh, masculine appearance that unites them with defensive Romanesque architecture.

Their silhouettes against the backdrop of the surrounding landscape and low hills seem to be courageous warriors carved from grey Carpathian granite.

It is interesting that in Solotvyno, in 1790, the Church of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel was built in a similar style, but in 1985 it was moved to the village of Hoten in Romania.

Dragobete and Merzishor - Romanian holidays with a local flavour

"The Romanians in Zakarpattia seem to be preserved. All the traditions that were in the time of our grandparents are preserved. That is, dances, songs, rituals, national costumes. Children are now drawn to the latest trends, but modernised holidays have not caught on among Romanians. We have an alternative to the popular Valentine's Day - Dragobete. Our holiday has very ancient roots and was celebrated long before Valentine appeared." - says Andriana Pop, director of the Solotvyno Lyceum.

They also celebrate Merzishor, the festival of spring. It got its name from the specific boutonnieres in the form of flowers made of white and red threads that women and girls wear on this day. The celebration of these holidays began not so long ago - 20 years ago.

The article was prepared at the request of the Department of Tourism and Resorts of the Zakarpattia Regional State Administration.