Romulus Vuia National Ethnographic Park
About Romulus Vuia National Ethnographic Park
On Hoia hill, at the western edge of Cluj, between the Hoia Forest and the industrial park, stands a village gathered from all over Transylvania: whole farmsteads, mills, sawmills, workshops and three wooden churches, each taken down in its home village and rebuilt here. They are not lined up along a street but scattered over slopes and clearings, so a walk among them feels like going through a real village, among fruit trees, grass and fences.
The park was founded on 1 June 1929 as a section of the Ardeal Ethnographic Museum, from an idea of the ethnographer Romulus Vuia, and is regarded as the first open-air museum in Romania. The war destroyed almost everything that had been moved there until then; today's layout was planned from 1956 by Teodor Onișor and Valer Butură. The collection has about 200 objects: 13 farmsteads with nearly 90 buildings, 34 peasant technical installations, workshop-houses and a cemetery gate.
What you can see
The farmsteads show how people lived in different areas: Mărișel, Geaca and Bedeciu from Cluj, Almaș, Telciu, Jelna, Berbești from Maramureș (1795), Cămârzana from the Oaș Land, Galda de Sus from the Land of the Moți, Peștera from Brașov or Casin from Harghita. The installations show how work was done: a water-powered sawmill from Botiza, a wheelwright's shop from Ieud, a smithy from Rimetea, a fulling mill and an oil barn and press from Herepia.
Of the three churches, the one from Cizer (1773), with a painted interior and a porch, is the best known; the one from Petrindu bears the date 1612 and paintings from 1835, and the one from Chiraleș dates from the 17th century.
Good to know
The park is open from Wednesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Several buildings were restored in 2025–2026 (new shingle and reed roofs), and in 2026 work began on rebuilding a Jewish house from Cămârzana. In 2026 the County Council launched a tender for a wider redevelopment of the area, so local restrictions may appear along the way. At some festivals entry is by event ticket only.
Information verified on 11 October 2026.
- The wooden church from Cizer, built in 1773 and moved here in 1968, with its painted interior.
- The church from Petrindu, dated 1612 and painted in 1835, and the one from Chiraleș, from the 17th century.
- The farmstead from Berbești (Maramureș), from 1795, with its oak house and porch with wide beams.
- The peasant installations, from the water-powered sawmill from Botiza to the smithy from Rimetea.
- The view across the hill, with the village gathered among fruit trees at the edge of the Hoia Forest.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the park is on Hoia hill, on Tăietura Turcului street, at the western edge of Cluj, next to the Tetarom industrial park and the Hoia Forest. From the centre it takes a few minutes by car, following the signs to Hoia.
Public transport: buses 26, 27, 28, 30 and 41 go to the “Piața 14 Iulie” stop, and line 37, from Piața Mihai Viteazul, reaches the Tetarom industrial park, right next to the park. From there you continue on foot. Timetables are on the museum's website and on the Cluj public transport website.
- Fees & discounts
Adult ticket 10 lei, seniors 5 lei, students, pupils and pre-schoolers 2.50 lei; groups of more than 10 people pay 7.50 lei per person. Amateur photography costs 5 lei per person, and non-commercial filming of events 150 lei per hour. Guided tours in Romanian, Hungarian and English cost 50 lei, subject to availability and by appointment at 0783 005 146 or at contact@muzeul-etnografic.ro. Tickets are bought at the entrance or online, with a small processing fee. At festivals the price may differ.
- Rules
Pets, bicycles and cars are not a good fit for an open-air museum: check the rules at the entrance. Objects in the buildings must not be touched, and smoking and open fires are forbidden. In wet weather the grass and paths can be slippery, so wear suitable footwear.
- Facilities
tickets at the entrance and online · guided tours on request (Romanian, Hungarian, English) · virtual tour on the museum's website · open-air events and festivals
Frequently asked questions about Romulus Vuia National Ethnographic Park
How much is a ticket to Romulus Vuia National Ethnographic Park?
A ticket to Romulus Vuia National Ethnographic Park costs 10 lei (seniors 5 lei, pupils 2.50 lei). More under “Fees & discounts”
What are the opening hours of Romulus Vuia National Ethnographic Park?
Opening hours at Romulus Vuia National Ethnographic Park: Monday–Tuesday closed, Wednesday–Sunday 10:00 – 18:00. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Romulus Vuia National Ethnographic Park take?
A visit to Romulus Vuia National Ethnographic Park takes about 1½ – 2 hours (~16 ha, outdoors).
Can you visit Romulus Vuia National Ethnographic Park with kids?
Yes, Romulus Vuia National Ethnographic Park is suitable for children (wide open space, outdoors).
How do I get to Romulus Vuia National Ethnographic Park?
Romulus Vuia National Ethnographic Park is located at Strada Tăietura Turcului f.n., Hoia Hill, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Romulus Vuia National Ethnographic Park?
The best season for Romulus Vuia National Ethnographic Park: April – October (shorter hours in winter).
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