May, 2026 

Exchange of experience tour in Romania in the framework of the project “Improve the visibility of the joint cultural heritage through Carpathian Cultural Route”

On May 20-22, 2026 an Exchange of experience tour of  representatives of the Ukrainian part of the network of transnational tourist route “Carpathian Cultural Route” to Maramureș County (Romania) took place within the framework of the project “Improve the visibility of the joint cultural heritage through Carpathian Cultural Route”, which is implemented by the Development Centre for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Maramures (Romania) in partnership with the NGO “Association of Economic Development of Ivano-Frankivsk (AEDIF)” (Ukraine) and Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas (Ukraine) in the framework of the Interreg VI-A NEXT Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine Programme 2021-2027 (https://next.huskroua-cbc.eu). The project is co-funded by the European Union.

First of all, it should be noted that the National Tourism Administration of Romania has recognized the Carpathian Cultural Route as a transnational tourist and cultural route. It ranks 6th on the list of transnational tourist and cultural routes recognized by Romania. The Carpathian Cultural Route is the only transnational tourist and cultural route included in the national register not only in Maramureș, but in the whole of Transylvania, which, as is known, includes the historical regions of Maramureș, Crișana, and Banat.

The participants of the Exchange of experience tour visited:

The Planetarium in Baia Mare – the first public planetarium in Romania (opened on 1 July 1969) and the only one in this region of the country. It includes the basic exhibition “The Solar System”, the permanent exhibition “Deep Sky Objects from the Messier Catalogue”, the exhibition “Solar Moments – Photographs by Ilie Tudorel”, an exhibit dedicated to the history of the planetarium preserving the semi-functional ZKP1 projector, and the multimedia digital exhibition “Traditional Romanian Constellations” (a virtual exhibition displayed on digital panels).

The SKYMASTER ZKP4 LED planetarium, manufactured by the German company ZEISS, was put into operation in 2015. It is an ultra-modern opto-mechanical star projector using fiber optics, LED technologies, and industrial computers to simulate the starry sky with more than 7,000 stars. It is installed under a 6-meter dome equipped with comfortable seats, a sound system, and air conditioning. Planetarium shows are spectacular presentations and simulations of movements and phenomena on the celestial sphere. It is a real “time machine” that allows visitors to travel into the past or future, observe the sky from any point in the Solar System, witness astronomical events, and much more – the only limit is imagination!

The Cultural Complex “George Pop de Băsești” includes the memorial house “George Pop de Băsești” as well as the Monastery of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Through a short chronology, visitors receive information about the most important events in the life of the tribune, some of which are presented in greater detail through texts, illustrations, and documentary reproductions. Special attention is given to the Romanian Memorandum Movement in Transylvania (1885-1895), since George Pop de Băsești played a key role in the development of these historical events of great significance for the Romanian nation. In this same documentary context, considerable attention is devoted to understanding the importance of the memorial building in Băsești. The monastery was built in memory of George Pop de Băsești (1835-1919) in his garden. The foundation stone was laid on 5 November 2000. His Grace Ioan Șișețean consecrated the foundation stone of the monastery built near the “Linden Tree of Union” (Teiul Unirii) in the garden of George Pop de Băsești.

The Museum and Monumental Complex “Doctor Vasile Lucaciu” is dedicated to the figure of Vasile Lucaciu, known as the “Lion of Șișești” (1852-1922), a renowned fighter for the rights of Romanians in Transylvania. Vasile Lucaciu distinguished himself as one of the bravest leaders of the struggle for the national liberation of Romanians in Transylvania during the years of the Memorandum Movement, which lasted from 1877 to 1895. He lived in this place together with his family for almost 30 years.

 Reference:

Project “Improve the visibility of the joint cultural heritage through Carpathian Cultural Route” isimplemented in the framework of the Interreg VI-A NEXT Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine Programme (https://next.huskroua-cbc.eu). Overall objective of the Project is to improve the visibility of the existing  Carpathian Cultural Route as an instrument aimed to support the valorisation of the cultural and historical heritage in the Carpathian Euroregion. Specific objectives are: to enlarge the integrated cultural heritage product “Carpathian Cultural Route” that connect places of historical and cultural heritage with other attractions and services; to improve the skills and knowledge of cultural tourism representatives through the training and sharing experience program; to improve the visibility of the integrated cultural heritage product “Carpathian Cultural Route” at the regional and international level through the development of digital promotional materials, joint online information sources and mobile application.

This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the public organization “Association of Economic Development of Ivano-Frankivsk (AEDIF)” and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

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