Merry Cemetery
Săpânța, Romania
Hundreds of bright blue carved crosses, each with a naive painting and a humorous verse about the person buried below. Come early before the tour buses.
The Merry Cemetery (Cimitirul Vesel) is in Săpânța in Maramureș County in northern Romania, about 15 km northwest of Sighetu Marmației according to Wikipedia (Romania Insider gives roughly 20 km). Instead of plain headstones there are brightly painted oak crosses with naive pictures from the lives of the deceased and short, often humorous verses.
The woodcarver Stan Ioan Pătraș (1908-1977) created the first epitaph in 1935; by the 1960s there were more than 800 crosses. According to Rough Guides, Pătraș himself is buried in front of the church door. His house, now a memorial museum, is about 300 m along the road behind the cemetery and is signposted. Rough Guides notes that tour buses often stop in the village for only about 30 minutes, so plan extra time if you want to look and read in peace.
- Nearest town
- Săpânța, Romania
- Category
- Roadside oddities
- GPS
- 47.9705, 23.6950
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Romania: Vignette needed for motorways. Buy the e-vignette online before you drive on motorways. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- PoieniCampsite3 km from Merry CemeteryTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowers
All campsites in Romania · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Merry Cemetery?
Merry Cemetery is in Săpânța, Romania, at GPS 47.9705, 23.6950. It is about 15 km from Sighetu Marmației.
Can you camp near Merry Cemetery?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Poieni, about 3 km away; within 25 km there are 1 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Merry Cemetery?
Merry Cemetery is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Maramureș: wooden churches and the Merry Cemetery.
What is there to see near Merry Cemetery?
Places worth a stop nearby: Bârsana Monastery (32 km), Surdești Wooden Church (44 km), Ieud Hill Church (52 km) and Prislop Pass (96 km).
When is the best time to visit Merry Cemetery?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)