#bloaja

The structure has a small porch, covered by the extended front part of the bell-tower. The disconnected apse is pentagonal. The interior was divided into small equal surfaces, which were covered by vertical laths, with no paintings.

The roof is made of dovetailed shingles. The bell-tower has a hidden watch-tower with two small side openings in the upper part, and a larger one in the lower part. Above it there is a large conical spire, ending with a simple cross.

The painting on the walls was replaced by icons on plywood created by painter Pop Aurel from Baia Mare.

The Iconostasis is really, remarkable. It was brought from the old wooden-church from

Fauresti, which was demolished when a new church, made of stone, was built. The iconography of the Iconostasis is impressive and original because of the framing of surfaces from one tier to another. In the first row, one can see God Almighty at the symbolic axis, in the middle. Scenes from Christ’s Life are on each side in square frames, (except the ones on the sides, which are in rectangular frames), and include “The Last Supper”, and the Apostles, all between the arches of the church and make up the second row. The colonades of the church are decorated with bunches of grapes and cross-shaped flower petals. The third row presents Jesus as Priest between the Prophets, on two rows; in square medallions in the lower row, and circular medallions (surrounded by rays of light), in the upper row.

The Iconostasis has not the usual upper tier picturing Jesus on the Cross and, but this does not affect the overwhelming impression of the assembly.

Bloaja II wooden church, general view

The oak construction has a small porch and square disconnected apse. Its side walls are inwardly sloping. On the southern wall there are traces of paintings and a window that had replaced the former entrance door.

The roof is covered with beech shingles. The bell-tower is shingled at its bottom. The parapet of the watch-tower is made up of boards that are bordered by laths» in the shape of wreaths. The balcony is double arched on its sides and holds a s very curvaceous conical steeple. This has a wrought iron cross with a half-moon on top, unlike the crosses at the coping where the half-moon is placed at the end of the arms of the cross.

The interior paintings were all painted in 1998 by an amateur painter, in neo-Byzantine style without a clear iconographic plan. On the ceiling vault we see the Evangelists. The middle row in the Sanctuary contains the portraits of the Fathers of the Christian Church, in circular medallions with red frames and yellow background.

The Iconostasis has only one tier painted directly on the wall, presenting Jesus the Judge sitting on a high-backed armchair, above the nave, surrounded by the Apostles painted in circular medallions. The spaces between the medallions are covered by t ree-armed crosses; together with little hearts on a blue background.

The Ark or Tabernacle on the Altar is remarkable for its simplicity. Its only decoration is a golden cross in a red oval; the candlestick is inscribed with the names of the donors Pinte Nutu and Maria, man and wife.

An interesting painted wooden statue with crucified Jesus and an item used for filtering gold out of the water are kept in the attic of the church.

  Bloaja wooden church, general view