Bistra, Maramureș


Bistra is a commune in Maramureș County, Maramureș, Romania. The Ukrainian border is located to the north of the commune. The first documentary mention of the settlement dates to 1411.

Villages

The commune is composed of three villages: Bistra, Crasna Vișeului and Valea Vișeului.

Valea Vişeului

Valea Vişeului is a village in Bistra commune.
The village is located in a very attractive region. The Ukraine border with Romania is located in the north of the village. In the north-west of the village the Vișeu River joins the Tisza. The Vișeu River also separates the village into two important areas : the main part of the village - on the right bank of the Vișeu River - and Zaveschiva - on the left bank of Vișeu River. The village has two churches: an Orthodox church and a Catholic church. Valea Vișeului railway station is an important railway station in Maramureș County, the village having direct links with some of the main cities of Romania, like Bucharest, Timișoara, Cluj-Napoca or Mangalia, and also with Ukraine - Rakhiv.

Demographics

According to the 2011 census, the commune has a population of 4,133 inhabitants, of which 89% are Ukrainians and 10.5% Romanians. Because Ukrainians make up the majority of the population, the Ukrainian language is used beside Romanian for signage, education, access to justice and public services provided in both languages.

Personalities