Baia Mare is the capital of Maramuresh and the largest city in this part of Romania. Among its attractions are the remains of old buildings from Hungarian times and a large open-air museum presenting the folk culture of the region.
The city was founded in the 12th century by the Hungarian king Geysa II. From the very beginning, it was a mining settlement inhabited to a large extent by colonists who came from Germany. In the 15th century, during the reign of Maciej Corvinus, the city received city walls, the remains of which are the Butchers' Bastion and the Stefan Tower.
Due to its leading role in the region, Baia Mare is home to many museums. The most important and the biggest attraction of Baia Mare is the Village Museum, occupying a vast area on the outskirts of the city. There are relocated historic huts, farm buildings and small village workshops from all over Maramures. The open-air museum is connected to the Museum of Ethnography and Folk Art with large collections related to the activities of folk artists. There is also the Historical and Archaeological Museum of the Maramures Region, the Regional Art Museum and the Museum of Mineralogy.
The surroundings of Baia Mare are mountainous and can be a starting point for hiking tours. The picturesque Koguta Ridge rock formation is located here and Igniș Peak is a popular excursion destination.
