Ciurila: Lakes, Nature and Transylvanian Heritage

Ciurila is shaped by several clearly distinct themes: the lake complex in the Hășdate Valley, a protected meadow along the Dumbrava Filei stream, and rural cultural heritage in the municipality. There is also a wooden church with a specific historical date, a route on the edge of the village, and an activity in the village of Sălicea. The picture therefore ranges from landscapes and history to specific things to do.

Lakes and Protected Nature

The lake complex in the Hășdate Valley consists of three cascading lakes: Filea (Ciurila I), Șutu (Ciurila II) and Pădureni (Ciurila III). Their names distinguish each lake individually while also identifying them as three parts of a single complex. For those interested in the landscape, this means there is more to see than a single body of water: the cascading layout and the three named lakes together define the area.

The fish farm at the lake complex has several specific dimensions. It covers 42 hectares, extends for 2.5 kilometres and has a water volume of 1.413 million cubic metres. The area, length and volume describe different dimensions of the facility and give a more precise sense of its scale than a single measurement would.

Another nature attraction is the Pârâul Dumbrava nature reserve. It covers 0.5 hectares and is a natural meadow in the floodplain of the Dumbrava Filei stream. The legally protected orchid Papucul Doamnei (Cypripedium calceolus) grows there. While the lake complex is defined by its three bodies of water, this reserve is notable for its meadow landscape and the orchid found there.

Cultural Heritage and Rural Domestic Life

Ciurila is home to a wooden church dedicated to “Intrarea în biserică a Maicii Domnului”. It dates from 1755. In addition to this individual church building, the rural architecture and domestic culture of the municipality of Ciurila are also part of its cultural heritage.

These include old houses built in the traditional Transylvanian style, as well as simple, carved or painted wooden furniture. One specific feature of this domestic culture is the wooden pole known as “Culmea”. In the municipality’s old houses, it is found above the bed or around the stove. It was originally used to dry or hang clothes; today it serves a decorative purpose and has been preserved in some places. The Culmea illustrates how a practical household object became a decorative feature.

At Moara de Vânt ZooParc in Sălicea, visitors can pet, photograph and feed the animals. These three options describe different ways of interacting with animals and offer a specific activity for travellers interested in them.

Route and Getting There

Route 28MN12 runs along the edge of Ciurila and follows the Pârâul Dumbrava for 50 metres upstream. This specifies both its course along the edge of the village and the stretch that follows the stream. This distinction is useful for orientation: the 50-metre figure refers to the section of the route along the stream.

A public transport connection is also available: Metro line M16 runs between Str. Posada and Ciurila. If you plan to use this connection to get there, check the departure times in the timetable before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Smida, Moldovenești, Mărişel, Gilău, Sic, Beliş, Frata, Cluj-Napoca

For the broader travel overview: Cluj-Napoca.