Attractions and Places To See in Sălaj - Top 18

The Garden of Dragons is a protected natural monument in the Almas Basin. It covers an area of two hectares. In this geological reserve, one can admire the effects of weather on the structures of sandstone and microconglomerates. Water played a significant role in the formation of these rocks. Due to landslides, the shape of these natural features can change from year to year; it is an ongoing phenomenon. One of the most famous formations, "The Cursed Stepdaughter," collapsed in 1973 after a flood.

The cave in the Dragon Garden is a hollow space approximately 200 meters long. Anyone who wants to explore the cave will need something to illuminate it. Even a flashlight on a cell phone will do the trick. Be careful with your head, the ceiling is low.

The Jibou Botanical Garden was founded in 1968 on the initiative of Professor Vasile Fati, after whom it is named (Grădina Botanică "Vasile Fati"). It is located on the site of the former English-style park of the Baroque Wesselényi family palace. The botanical garden covers approximately 24 hectares. Professor Fati taught biology at the Jibou Gymnasium, which was then housed as a boarding school in the medieval former Wesselényi family residence. He recognized the potential of the site and worked tirelessly to realize his idea. The botanical greenhouses, whose futuristic spherical architecture is remarkable, now house diverse and valuable collections of tropical, subtropical, and Mediterranean plants, grouped systematically or ecologically. The garden also features a high pavilion for the palm collection and an aquarium for tropical plant collections, a cultivated plant section, a vast ornamental plant section, herbaria, and museum exhibits.

If you have one and a half million euros to spare, how about investing in Transylvania's largest Baroque palace? The owner, Éva Teleki, is looking to sell the palace, which was once nationalized by Romania and returned to her in 2011, along with some of the outbuildings. The Curia, the oldest part of the complex, was rebuilt from scratch in 1702 by Baron István Wesselényi (Prefect of Székesfehérvár County, President of the Diet in 1716) and Countess Kata Bánffy (daughter of György Bánffy I, Governor of Transylvania between 1691 and 1696). The next generation of the landowning family, István Wesselényi and Polixenia Dániel, added the seat of the family stud farm in 1775. In 1771, Miklós Wesselényi, a lieutenant in the Bethlen Hussar Regiment, built a riding stable. The construction of this prestigious palace building is linked to the marriage of Baron Miklós Wesselényi to Ilona Cserei, the daughter of the historian Mihály Cserei, and the establishment of the family's aristocratic estate on the Jibou estate. Construction of the monumental building in Jibou began in 1778. In 1781, Wesselényi came into conflict with his neighbor from Gârbou, Johann Haller, whom he attacked with over 500 armed men. The act was condemned by the Emperor in Vienna, and Wesselényi ended up in prison in Kufstein. Work on the palace was slowed and even halted until 1796. The interiors were completed in 1800. Franz Neuhauser and Johann Martin Stock painted landscapes depicting Jibou Castle, hunting scenes of Baron Wessélenyi, and historical scenes. The construction and design of the complex were completed in 1810. After nationalization, the interior of the castle was completely altered. Decorative elements were removed, furniture, stoves, paintings, and decorative objects were stolen, and Neuhauser's paintings were painted over. The rooms of the castle became classrooms for a general school, then a boarding school, a pioneer house, a museum, and an experimental retreat for young naturalists. The English-style park was converted into a botanical garden, the riding school into a dining hall, and the courtyard into a go-kart track. Today, the once important castle is forgotten by the world and completely abandoned. If no buyer is found, it will likely remain what it has been for almost 40 years: a lost place.

The wooden church of Racâș (Biserica de lemn "Sfinții Arhangheli Mihail și Gavriil"), dedicated to the Archangel Michael, was probably built around 1558, not in the Transylvanian style, but in the Maramures style with a complex structure. It was repaired and raised in 1761 and 1772. The interior, entirely painted by an unknown artist in 1783, is a true gem: it features early modern wood paintings that are among the best preserved in Transylvania. The crucifixion scene is remarkable: in the background, the Citadel of Jerusalem shines, which the artist modeled on the architecture of a Transylvanian fortified church. The paintings were restored in 2006 so that future generations can also enjoy this extraordinary church.

The architecture of Jibou's new Greek Catholic Church (Biserica Greco-Catolică Neprihănita Zărnislire), consecrated in 2007, appears very modern. The old Greek Catholic church, dedicated to the Apostles Peter and Paul, dating from 1930, now belongs to the Orthodox community. During the communist era, Greek Catholics visited the Roman Catholic church to receive the holy sacraments. After the political changes, the community experienced a revival, which led to the construction of the new church.

The bust at the north end of Piața 1 Decembrie depicts Alexandru Ioan Cuza (also known as Alexandru Ioan I). He was the first ruler of the United Principalities (Moldavia and Wallachia) from 1859 and of the newly created nation-state of Romania from 1862. Cuza promoted liberal and profoundly progressive reforms that led to the modernization of the Romanian state and society. In 1866, however, a broad coalition of the parties of the time forced Alexandru Ioan Cuza to abdicate. He died in Heidelberg on May 15, 1873, at the age of 53.

The castle remained in the possession of the Haller von Hallerkö family until 1948, when the communist government converted the building into an agricultural society with a workshop. The castle was restored in the 1970s. After the revolution, the surrounding population plundered the building. Due to widespread ignorance and the lack of interest of the authorities over the past 20 years, the building's condition deteriorated. The once elegant Transylvanian monument has become a pile of rubble, its splendor reflected only in history books. After 1989, the castle was abandoned. The descendants of the Haller family petitioned for the restoration of the severely dilapidated castle. With the approval of the Ministry of Culture, the castle was added to the list of historical monuments of Cluj County in 2004.