Culture and Churches
The Orthodox Church of the Leșu I Parish features stone walls, a wooden ceiling and a wooden tower. The present building was constructed between 1851 and 1854. The history of an earlier church in Leșu goes back even further: villagers built it in 1632 at the old settlement site of Fata din Jos.
Construction of the Orthodox Church of the Leșu II Parish began in Gura Ierboșelei in 1994. The building follows the Byzantine style and has the shape of a cross. The iconostasis and furnishings are made of beech wood. Both were carved by the local craftsman Ion Bîgiu a lui Emil.
Local legends and traditions from Leșu are likewise regarded as having been passed down through generations. Traditional embroidery is another established part of the local culture. Alongside the churches, traditional stories and music, it represents a distinct cultural expression of the place.
Music and Festivals
The interregional folklore festival “Rapsodia trișcașilor” was founded in 1968. The national festival “Rapsodia Trișcarilor” took place in Leșu on 15 and 16 August. The programme included a performance by the “Rapsodia Trișcașilor” folklore ensemble; ensembles from Bulgaria and Serbia were also invited.
The musical tradition is also reflected in the history of the choir of the Leșu Cultural Centre. At the third national competition for amateur art groups, the choir won first prize in 1954. It also received the title of prizewinner. Festival dates, ensemble performances and the choir’s competition history thus belong to the same local cultural scene.
Landscape and Trails
The commune of Leșu lies in the eastern part of Bistrița-Năsăud County, in the valley of the same name. The Leșu Valley is a left-bank tributary of the Ilva Valley; the Ilva Valley flows into the Someșul Mare. This sequence identifies the location through its waterways and places the valley within the wider landscape.
The Bârgău Mountains and Valea Măgurii are considered tourist destinations in Leșu. In the surrounding area, hikes along mountain trails offer the opportunity to discover the biodiversity of this region.
Forest Road and Getting There
The Lala forest road is 8.8 kilometres long. All 8.8 kilometres lie within the park. The owner of the forest road is the Leșu Town Hall. The length, location within the park and ownership each describe the road from a separate perspective.
Public transport to Leșu is limited. Travelling by car is recommended.
A stay in a holiday apartment in Leșu can be planned individually, with the desired length of stay, personal pace and ideas about the daily routine shaping the framework of the trip and leaving room for different focuses during the stay.
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