CALATA REGION

The area known as Calata may be rich in traditions but it  also has some unexpected sides. In among the sleepy Transylvanian villages and farms the well preserved medieval churches and the peasant handicrafts, there are a few unusual things that stand out. Calata is known as an area populated by Hungarian – speakers and it is famed for its extraordinarily colorful and richly decorated folk costumes.

ITINERARY

Transfer Cluj Napoca – Leghia 45 min. Leghia – Manastireni – Valeni – Sancraiu – Domosu – Horlacea – Nearsova – Jebucu – Stana – Nadasu – Leghia – 62 km

We will start our day with a half an hour transfer to the starting point which is situated 40km to Cluj.

Just a short warm up ride and we get to the first church which will be visited in Manastireni. This is the oldest church in Cluj county dated from XIIIth century. It follows a 5 km ride to get to probably the most beautyful church in Calata region, in Valeni.

We are going to have our lunch in one of the following villages. It might be a picnic lunch or traditional meal with locals.

The next highlight of our trip will be a decorated room with painted furniture, which is a very important tradition in this area.

Leaving Jebucu and crossing a very picturesque field we arrive to Stana, an isolated village. From Stana a little uphill on field road and we get to the crow castle. This bulding was the summer house and a favourite place of the famous transylvanian architect Kós Károly.

After  Nadasu a beautyful valley leads to the main road and our starting point. At this section we might see some gipsy charcoal burners.