Living Crafts: visiting Mures artisans who keep tradition alive

When you think of Mures, you might imagine quiet, beautiful villages, old towns with cobbled streets, and places full of history. Maybe you think of Sighisoara, castles, fortified churches, or the fresh mountain air. And yes, all of these are part of what makes the area special, but Mures is more than just a nice place to visit.

Behind the lovely views, there is a simple and real way of life. A world where traditions are not just memories, but part of everyday life. People here still work with care and love, respecting nature, old rhythms, and the values passed down from their grandparents. Cheese is made the old-fashioned way, bees are raised with patience, wood is shaped by skilled hands, and folk songs are always part of the celebration.

All of this wouldn’t mean much without the people who keep these traditions alive. They are craftsmen, artists, farmers, and makers who put their heart into everything they do. They deserve to be seen and appreciated. Here are just a few of them, each with their own story, their own skills, and the gift of keeping alive something others might think is already lost.

The region around the villages of Bahnea, Chendu, and Cund maintains a strong connection with the land, clean food, and simple yet essential crafts.

In Cund, cheese is still made the way grandparents used to make it, with care, local ingredients, and deep respect for authentic flavor. István Varga proudly runs a unique cheese workshop in Mures County, where the milk from 35 Romanian Spotted cows is turned into aged cheeses in 13 original flavors.

In Bahnea, in the heart of a peaceful rural landscape, the family behind the brand Ha Nim Bee has turned beekeeping into a true form of art. With passion and deep respect for nature, they carefully care for their bees and help protect the delicate balance of the ecosystem. Every drop of honey they produce is 100% natural and comes only from local sources, reflecting their commitment to quality, sustainability, and tradition.

In the village of Chendu, folk artisan Margareta Nagy carries on the traditional art of crafting with corn husks, with patience and dedication. She has creatively continued a local technique used by other craftspeople in the area. The delicate flowers she makes from husks are colored with natural dyes made from plant infusions, giving each piece a special authenticity and a deep respect for nature.

Reghin is known as the city of violins, where fine craftsmanship lives on through the making of high-quality musical instruments, appreciated both in Romania and abroad. The city is home to two musical instrument factories, along with many workshops run by skilled luthiers. Instrument production in Reghin began in 1951, when luthier Roman Boianciuc founded the first musical instrument department in the country within the local wood-processing factory. That small department eventually became Hora Musical Instruments Factory, the first and most important factory of its kind in the city.

Another name worth mentioning is Vasile Gliga, who, after the Romanian Revolution, founded Gliga Musical Instruments, a private company that has grown impressively over the years. Today, it's one of the leading private producers of string instruments in Europe, exporting to over 60 countries. Gliga is internationally recognized for his craftsmanship and for producing handmade violins of exceptional quality, including models used by philharmonic orchestras.

Just a few kilometers away, in the village of Idicel Forest, folk singer Rafila Moldovan keeps the soul of traditional music alive. Her songs are heartfelt and rich in emotion, rooted in village life. She is also known for creating an ethnographic museum, where she preserves local culture and traditions through a beautiful collection of folk objects.

In the commune of Ibanesti, the craft of woodworking is carefully preserved by local artisans. One of the most respected is Petrut Chirtes from Dulcea, recognized as a Living Human Treasure for his extraordinary talent. He specializes in carved oak gates and pillars, roadside crosses, traditional furniture, and church items. His work has even expanded to building wooden houses and churches, with many of his creations found throughout northwestern Transylvania.

 On the edge of Mureș County, in Saschiz, the tradition of pottery lives on through craftsmen who shape clay into bowls, plates, and hand-painted decorative pieces. The area is known for its unique ceramic patterns and for keeping alive a craft that few still practice today.

In the commune of Beica de Jos, the ancient craft of barcuit, a traditional method of harvesting honey from wild beehives, is kept alive by Mihai Grama from aăcuciu. He’s known for his dedication to protecting the Carpathian bee and the natural habitats it depends on.

In nearby Sanmihaiu de Padure, folk singer and poet Maria Bucin Crisan, author of over 200 folk poems, teaches weaving, embroidery, and traditional cooking. Through her work, she actively helps preserve and pass on the cultural heritage of the region.

In the village of Campenita, in the commune of Ceuasu de Campie, Rozalia Graur weaves with bulrush a craft that requires patience, skill, and a deep connection to nature. Her creations are practical, durable, and beautiful in their simplicity.

 In Valea Larga, Francisc-Vasile Riza carries on the tradition of Transylvanian instrumental music. He is the lead violinist of the local folk ensemble and is considered one of the most talented violin players in the region.

From the carefully aged cheese in Cund, to the pure honey of Bahnea, from the woven textiles of Galesti and Suplac, to the ceramics of Saschiz and the carved woodwork of Ibanesti, every craft and local product tells a story of roots, passion, and continuity.
 

All these people and their stories show that in Mures, tradition isn’t just preserved, it’s lived every day, with pride, dedication, and a sincere desire to carry forward a true and valuable heritage.