Şoimuş – Nature and Cultural Heritage

Natural landscapes, wooden churches, archaeological settlements, and local traditions give a trip to Şoimuş a range of different focuses. The southern side of the area is bordered by the Mureş River. Notable features of the commune include the protected area near Boholt, churches in Şoimuş, Sulighete, and Căinelu de Jos, and settlement sites with different prehistoric and historical layers.

Nature and Landscape

Rezervația Boholt is located in Boholt, within the commune of Şoimuş in Hunedoara County. As a nature reserve of national interest, it belongs to IUCN Category IV. The protected area covers one hectare of a gorge-like section of Valea Teiului. Its canyon-like character, forest vegetation, and warmth-loving plant species on limestone shape this landscape. The river along the southern side of the area and the protected site near Boholt provide two distinct geographical reference points.

Churches and Art

The wooden church “Sfântul Nicolae” in Şoimuş was built in 1705. In Sulighete stands the church “Adormirea Maicii Domnului”; according to experts, it was built before the 18th century. It is situated on Bozănești Hill and overlooks the settlement, which lies in a wide depression. The 1890 paintings on the ceiling and iconostasis were executed by Dionisie Iuga of Nicula. Another wooden church in the village of Căinelu de Jos dates from the 18th century. The dates therefore range from a specific year of construction to an attribution to a century or to a period before it.

Archaeological Traces

The multilayered settlement “Aşezarea pluristratificată de la Şoimuş (Balata), Situl 1 – Varianta de ocolire Deva–Orăştie” lies in the Mureş floodplain, at the edge of a terrace on the right bank. Its settlement components include the Bronze Age, the La Tène period, the Classical Roman period, the Migration Period, and the Early Middle Ages. The Neolithic–Eneolithic settlement “Aşezarea neo-eneolitică de la Şoimuş – Avicola” at La Avicola (Ferma 2) in Şoimuş has a different chronological focus. It includes phases of the Turdaş, Petreşti, and Vinča cultures, as well as the early Coţofeni culture. In comparison, the chronological sequence at the Balata settlement extends into the Early Middle Ages, while the Avicola site includes the Neolithic–Eneolithic cultural phases listed above.

Traditions and Events

In Sulighete, at Christmas and New Year, groups of young people go from house to house with drums, the Irozii, and the Star. This seasonal tradition is part of the village’s winter customs. “Lina de la Sulighete” is the best-known folk dance of the commune of Şoimuş. “Balul Ciobanilor” celebrates the pastoral values and traditions of the Romanian village. Since its beginnings in 2014, the festival has been held annually; the September 2025 edition took place at Izvorul de Apă Acră between Şoimuş and Boholt. If you plan a future edition as a reason to travel, check the dates in advance.

Boat Trips and Fishing

The port of Vaporașul Șoimuș has facilities for mooring small boats and serves as a starting point for various excursions on the water. Vaporașul Șoimuș also offers boat trips and fishing opportunities. Water-based activities thus complement the area’s nature and culture.

Discover more destinations: Kalan, Topliţa, Hărău, Roșcani, Peșteana, Peştera, Hateg, Petrila

For the overview of the wider region: Eisenmarkt.