Introduction…4 [304390]

CONTENT

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..4

I. Geographical features of workspace………………………………………………………………………5

I.1.Geographic location…………………………………………………………………………………………..5

I.2. Relief and substrate…………………………………………………………………………………………..6

I.3. Climatic and hydrological features……………………………………………………………………..8

I.4. Bio-pedographic features………………………………………………………………………………….9

I.5. Humanization degree……………………………………………………………………………………….11

II. The touristic resources in UAT Aștileu………………………………………………………………..13

II.1. Natural touristic resources……………………………………………………………………………….13

II.2. Anthropic touristic resources……………………………………………………………………………21

III. The current situation of tourism potential in Astileu commune………………………………26

III.1. Traditions and customs in UAT Aștileu……………………………………………………………27

III.2. Events and activities……………………………………………………………………………………….30

III.3. Gastronomy…………………………………………………………………………………………………..36

III.4. Accomodation infrastructure…………………………………………………………………………..38

IV. Types anf forms of tourism………………………………………………………………………………..41

V. Planning suggestions of tourism potential…………………………………………………………….44

Conclusions………………………………………………………………………………………………………….57

References……………………………………………………………………………………………………………58

INTRODUCTION

This paper work aims to exploit the potential tourist in Aștileu commune.
I chose this theme for the simple fact that I [anonimizat], at the end of the paper work to propose ways to rehabilitate some objectives. By tourist resources I refer to those natural and anthrophic resources that belong to natural environment (relief, fauna, climate, etc.) and anthrophic resources are those created by man ([anonimizat], [anonimizat].).

This paper work will contains five chapters structured as follows:

First chapter: " Geographical features of working space "

Second chapter: "Tourist resources from UAT Aștileu"

The third chapter: "The current situation of capitalizing on the tourist potential"

Fourth chapter; “Types and forms of tourism”

Fifth chapter: " Planning suggestions of tourism potential”

Each chapter contains subchapters.

[anonimizat]d one include the natural tourist resources and anthropic tourism resources and are also identified and described. The third chapter, called " The current situation of tourism potential in Astileu commune l", includes the events and activities, accommodation infrastructure, traditions from UAT Aștileu, the gastronomy department. Based on the information from previous chapters we have identified the main types and forms of tourism in Aștileu commune. In last chapter, we proposed some campsites, tablets for various anthropic or natural tourist objectives and informative panels, some touristic routes intended to promote the cultural and recovery tourism.

Geographic features of the workspace

I.1 Geographic location

Aștileu commune is located south of Crișul Repede river in the north-west of Bihor county on the county road 764 C Tileagd-Aștileu-Șuncuiuș-Bulz and situated at 47 ° 01` and 25 ° north latitude and 22 ° 24` and 30 ° east longitude (Fig 1).

The railway is located on the Oradea-Cluj-Bucharest route, 40 km away from Oradea and 110 km from Cluj-Napoca. It consists of 4 localities (villages):

• Aștileu – administrative residence

• Chistag – seated along the Crișul Repede river at 3 km from of the residence

• Peștere – at the foot of the Pădurea Craiului Mountains

• Călățea –situated on the heights of Pădurea Craiului Mountains, 8 km away by the administrative center.

Neighbours:

• on the east: Măgești and Vadu-Crișului communes

• west: Țețchea and Vârcirog communes

• north: Lugaș commune and Aleșd town

• south: Dobrești commune

I.2 Relief and substrate

The commune is situated at the contact between the limestone plateau Pădurea Craiului and the golf tectonic depression Vad – Borod.

Pădurea Craiului Mountains are located between Crișul Repede in north, Crișul Negru in south, Iada and Mezia Valley in east and Tășad hills in west. It is a suspended plateau (typicall horst), the highest altitude 1027 m Hordâncușa Peak. The mezozoic limestomes covers 83% of total area, and synthesize the most typical plateau karst type in Romania. The hidrographycal network is very disorganised because of the presence of the limestones, the most important rivers being Holod and Roșia with the tributaries.

Overall, Pădurea Craiului Mountains cover an area of 750 km2, which means that they represent 0.41% of the country's territory. The reason why they are different in comparation with another neighboring mountains units are: climatic conditions and soils, the degree of afforestation, the relief altitude (Novac, 2006).

Although the Mountains of Craiului are not so famous for tourists, the cause being in their relatively low attitude (the maximum height is not over 1,000 meters), in their powerful afforestation, but especially because are situated between two massives, reputed for their tourist values and who drew attention to the hikes, the Bihor and Vlădeasa and Bihor Moiutanis. This does not mean that the Pădurea Craiului Mountains do not offer tourists eager an authentic landscape, withdrawn, discrete paths through secular forests, or through clearing loaded with flowers, because, below of the modest heights is actually the wonderful world of limestone, with all its mysterious and mysterious relief (Bordea, 1978).

Pădurea Craiului Mountains are excellent karst ones. The unit area of soluble rock is well above any other massive mountain of the country, since this has watered a wide variety of specific and underground forms, many of them have an attractive construction object which is worth being introduced into the tourist circuit. Indeed, here are many valleys and wild gorges , sinkholes si carst springs, caves and especially doline with valleys. If we cover this varied and extremely strange relief with beech and oak forests and whit large clearing, we have a complete characterization of the landscape of Pădurea Craiului Mountains (Bordea, 1978).

The geological composition of the Pădurea Craiului Mountains, as well as the geological processes that acted upon them, are reflected in morphology. From the beginning, it should be mentioned that more than half of the surface of these mountains consists of carstifying, limestone and dolomite rocks. With much patience, in tens of thousands of years, the water churned into these rocks the whole suite of karstic shapes that draw in their beauty. What is characteristic for Apuseni area is the multitude of the valleys installed on the karst plateau as well as the large number of springs. On the karst plateau located to the north of Cornet, on the left slope of the Mnierăi Valley, there are about 100 valleys on an area of ​​only 1.5 km². Regarding underground drainage, it can be stated that almost every course that passes through a limestone area has at least one underground catchments. Among the most important ones we mention from: Pusta Călățea – Aștileu, Gălășeni – Josani, Bătrina – Vadu Crișului Cave, Cărmăzan – Izbindișu and Peștera Vântului Cave, Toaia – Dămiseni, Secătura Brătcanilor – Izbucul Brătcanilor, Ponoare – Bulz and Acra – Leșului Valley; in the south, on the tributaries of Crișul Negru, we mention only the karstic system Runcșor-Sohodol-Albioara, whose water comes out of the Toplicioarei, Topliței and Roșia (Bordea, 1978).

The northwestern part of the massif consists largely of non-cartificable rocks (sandstone, conglomerate and clayey schists) which are overlap with limestone packs; that's why its relief is completely different from the one in the central area of Padurea Craiului Mountains. Here, in the West, the wildest clefs, sinkholes, carst springs, the suspended platforms, are missing; the hydrographic network is better organized, with evident ridge and low slopes (Bordea, 1978).

In general, the relief of Pădurea Craiului Mountains is characterized by less remarcable ridges, which often are falling apart in large karst plateaus. It is a chaotic relief, with ridges poorly individualized, oriented in all directions. These features are specific to the central and north-eastern area of the Pădurea Craiului Mointans, that is, for nearly 80% of the massif surface (Bordea, 1978).

The Crișul Repede Defile connects the Huedin Depression and Vad Depression, extending between two localities: Bologa and Vadu Crișului. It consists of two sectors: an eastern one, shaped in crystalline rocks and the other west, which has all the attributes of chei, being carved in the limestone of Pădurea Craiului Mountains (Măhăra, 1999).

I.3 Climatic and hydrological features

Due to its position, Pădurea Craiului Mountains are under the influence of the masses of western air, which bring maritime – polar air. This circulation of air masses is the high humidity which at the contact with the mountain brings a large volume of clouds and implicitly increased rainfalls (Cocean, Filip, 2008)

The climate of Pădurea Craiului Mountains is a continental-temperate moderate one, specific to the lower mountains, mountains where the average altitude doesn`t exceed 1,000 m with mild, humid winters with frequent raifalls, and summers have a cool climate with frequent rainfalls. Due to the relatively low altitude, it is not possible to talk about etaje climatice and doesn`t allow the presence of a subalpine climate (Cocean, Filip, 2008)

Climate of Pădurea Craiului Mountains is characteristic of hilly areas, so we can not speak of climatic levels, the altitude relatively low of the massif does not permit the installation of a harsh, etajul sub-alpin. However, the wooded valleys from the southeast of the region keep almost permanently a cooler climate that allowed the development of coniferous forests (Bordea, 1978).

As a general rule, no matter the context is, the air temperature is influenced, first of all, by the altitude, then by the incline slopes, the sun exposure, the degree of vegetation coverage. As a result, the temperature of the Pădurea Craiului Mountains is characterized by variations in the average and external values due to the Adiabatic Cooling processes in the Apuseni Mountains and the role of the natural dam that the mountain has in the way of advection of the air masses (Rus, 2005).

The average of annual temperatures are situated between 9-9.6 Celsius degrees (west and north – west) and decreases with the altitude increses to about 5.4 Celsius degrees, specifying that these variations are not linear during the year but differs from season to season. (Rus, 2005).

As far as the average monthly air temperature values are concerned, they show an maximum during the summer in July, 19 Celsius degrees and a minimum in January of -1.7 Celsius degrees. Annual average rainfall is around 700-800 mm /year. The rainfall minimal are recorded in March with 33.6 mm and also in September with 50 mm. (Filimon, 2014)

The average annual rainfall has high values and enters around 800-1000 mm / year for the fairly small altitudes of the massif. These abundant precipitations are due in particular to the air streams filled with water vapor from the Tisa Plain and meet the higher and forested barrier of Pădurea Craiului Mountains where condensation occurs. High humidity periods, such as the end of May and the first half of June, alternate with times when rainfalls are very poor (Bordea, 1978).

Besides the liquid rainfalls that ensure the necessary water for the soil, vegetation, protection layer, water reserve, protection of agricultural lands, importance is also the thickness of the snow layer, in the Astileu commune it is between 4 cm and can reach 30 cm. (Filimon, 2014).

Thermal amplitude is 18.5 Celsius degrees, lower than the rest of the country where the temperature fluctuates between 24-25 Celsius degrees due to lower continentalism in Pădurea Craiului Mountains. (Filimon, 2014).

Bio-pedographic features

A large area of Pădurea Craiului Mountains, especially the central-west and south-east, is covered with forests. Itself the name of this massif draws attention that in the past the forest area was much wider. The limestone substrate, which quickly loses its rainwater, is not conducive to the regeneration of the stands, so on the karst plateau some of the forests that have been exploited and over the time they become grassland and the arbors groups are still a witness of the old forests (Bordea , 1978).

In Pădurea Craiului the vegetation degree is not so quite highlighted. The unspoiled hardwoods, in which it appears rare clusters of spruce, are interrupted by large clearing, especially on the karst plateau. An exception is the karst plateau from Sclavul Pleș, which is covered by an old and dense forest of spruce and pines, one of the most spectacular coniferous forests of the Apuseni Mountains (Bordea, 1978).

Within the commune, depending on the relief, climate and soil, the following vegetal associations meet: beech forests, mixed gorum forests, pastures, hayfields and the vegetation of meadows and valleys.

Beech forests occupy 95% of the total forests in the commune. This is where the layer of shrubs is missing or is poorly represented in the clearing. Along with beech we find other deciduous  species such as: hornbeam (carpinus betulus), linden (tilia europeana), ash (fraxinus), elm (ulmus) and jacastru (acer campestre). The lower layer of plants includes: fern (dryopteris filix-mas), moss (carpinus betulus), sedge (carex arenaria), snowdrops (galanthus), crocuses (colchicum), violets (scilla bifolia). Shadow predominates: horn (cornus mas), hazelnut (corylus avellana), ”sângerul” (cornus sanguinea), blackberry (rubus fruticosus), and thistle (xanthium spinosum) (Todoca, 2003).

Fields of hay meadows are blushed with colorful flowers: daisies (leucanthemum vulgare), bayonets, various colored flowers, chicory (cichorium intybus), bells (campanula napuligera), a thick carpet that covers most of the meadows in these mountains and can be admired on mowing plates (Bordea, 1978)

The vegetal carpet of the meadows and valleys is a great diversity in grass and wood vegetation. The herbaceous vegetation is represented by bulrush (equisetum hyemale) etc. In places with excess humidity, even reed and rush (typha) are encountered. Wood vegetation is made of soft essences. Here are associations of grooms, witches, etc (Todoca, 2003).

As far as fauna is concerned, the massif shelters a number of wild animals. Bears and wolves are fewer and are found to the eastern part of the massif, in areas undeveloped by humans. Instead, the honeysuckle (lepus europeaues), foxes (vulpes), deer (cervids) and boars (sus scroafa) increased. Bears, so rare now in the mass, were well represented by their ancestor, the cavernous bear. The soup steps and skeletons discovered by Th. Rusu, Gh. Racovita, V. Craciun, in 1965, in Ciur-Izbuc Cave, it seems that on the territory of Pădurea Craiului there were numerous expletives of Ursus spaeleus. Also in the caves were discovered a series of small animals (insects, raccoons (astacus), spiders (araneae), worms), the study of which the biologists of the caving institute "Em. Racovita "in Cluj Napoca tries to elucidate the unknowns of the evolution of the living people (Bordea, 1978).

Numerous birds inhabit deciduous forests: swallows` hawk (falco subbuteo), hawk (milvus gallinis). In the gulf area the fauna consists of amphibians and reptiles: triton species (triturus), guster (lacerta viridis), lizard (lacertilia), Esculap`s Snake (zamenis longissimus) (Todoca, 2003).

The waters are populated by liban (thymallus), clean (squalius cephalus), mullet, (barbus), crap (cyprinus carpio) (Todoca, 2003).

I.5 Humanization degree

According to the National Institute of Statistics, in 2018, in Aștileu commune live 3694 people. At the last census in 2011, the total population was 3804 from which 786 represent the active population (20.7%) and in tourism, the service sphere is minimal.

Population structure

Structure by gender

This is the gender balance, on the basis of which the demographic policy of an area or a locality can be established. From a statistical point of view, we know that between the two sexes there is a gap in favor of the feminine population. Generally, for the Oradea – Bratca depression, it is noted that the share of the female population falls within this specific framework, with some more special cases. Therefore, the feminine population is the majority, regardless of the period reviewed. Differences between sexes are not very high, with some balance being observed. In the case of our commune, the male population surpasses the feminine. (Filimon, 2014).

Population structure by age groups

This is an important component for the geographic system functionality because it creates the potential of the workforce but also "influences the education activities, the organization of services, the health care, the specifics of the consumption, etc.". (Filimon, 2014). Astileu commune is among the municipalities that suffer from an aging population because of economic changes. This causes a migration of the young population resulting in a low birth rate. (Filimon, 2014).

The professional structure of the population

This is especially influenced by the active population because it defines the economic profile of the settlements. The structure of the active population shows the most pronounced level of economic development achieved within a territory. (Filimon, 2014). Due to the change in the political regime and the economic crisis in 2007, the Astileu commune has undergone some changes in the work places so at the "Helios" brick factory of 3,000 workers reached to 50. The same decline occured in Chistag also, at the "Holcim" cement factory, out of a total of 3,000 workers, has reached to 100 in recent years.

The ethnic structure of the population

Given the geographic position of the region in the western part of the country, it favors somehow the presence of the foreign element, but the romanian population is a major one and has not succeeded in changing the essence of the romanian character of this area. Most of the inhabitants are romanians, followed by minorities such as: gypsies, hungarians, slovaks. (Filimon, 2014).

The confessional structure of the population

This broadly follows the ethnic structure, because ethnicity also influences the confessional component. From the confessional point of view, the majority of orthodox one, followed by pentecostals with roman catholics and baptists, the rest of the population, are not recognized as confessional one. (Filimon, 2014).

Tourist resources from UAT Aștileu

II.1 Natural tourism resources

The Aștileu Cave

It is situated on the forest road leading to Călățea village. Although it has been known since the 19th century, Aștileu Cave was recorded in literature in 1942, by H. KESSLER, which explores it and maps it over 145 m long. In 1957 the cave was restored to capture the waters for local needs, and than was flooded, for this reason it cannot be explored without special diving equipment. The entrance opens to the bottom of a gulp valley, based on a steep of about 15 m high, which presents a stratification with a slight fall to the east. Beyond the entrance (8×10 m), is a large gallery with many rocks and tracks of flow. After about 60 meters long , will find a concrete dam made of reinforced concrete, behind them the waters form a underground lake, from which are dispered, through a side gallery of approximately 110 m in length, to the surface in tailings ponds– tritment. From here, they are pumped on average by about 900 mb/day, in other two tanks from where they are distributed in the "Refractara" factory, on the streets and households from Aștileu commune. In rape cases, the excess water discharges over the above mentioned dam and, re-taking its natural route (through the cave), goes out on the surface in a valley deep with many thresholds and marmite. After about 250 meters long, the valley is suddenly widened and the water course penetrates into the energy supply channel of this tow paths hydroelectric power stations nearby. Its water catchment is expanding by around 106 kmp, of which only 19 kmp belongs to it exclusively, 15 kmp breaks it with Izbucul de la Moara Jurjii (at the confluence area with Mniera-Moara Jurjii) and 72 kmp is provided with other underground drains from the upper basin Văii Rîului ( the confluence area Poiana – Peștiș – Aștileu) (https://www.speologie.org/pestera-de-la-astileu).

Potriva Cave from Călățea

It is situated at the west of the depresion catchment area at Călățea village (Fig 2.) , where it disappears underground to the water course of the Mnierăi Valley. This is at the end of the "Potriva" family garden from where and the name of the cave. The cave has been known since last century and has been the subject of numerous biospeleological and archaeological investigations. From the repertoire of monuments from Bihor County (1974) it follows that the members of the Țării Crișului Museum from Oradea found in the upper galleries the seed of Ursus spelaeus, skeletal debris of Homo sapiens and ceramic fragments from the eneolithic period. The scans will be continued by the Speologie "Z" Oradea Club, which by the time of 1996 map it over a length of 3713 meters. (https://www.speologie.org/pestera-lui-potriva).

Igrita Cave, or "Igrețu Cave"

It is situated on the northern pavement of Pădurea Craiului Mountains, with two entrances holding a altitude of 328 meters and a length of about 350 meters. The cave is part of the group with a small attractive potential, because of its destruction over the decades since its first service. It represents the upper floor of a polyether system, formed by the evolution in the depth of the limestone block of Mnierăi Valley. The middle and lower levels are made up of the caves

Pișnița and Aștileu, the first one is temperary active, and the second one has a continuous underground course with an appreciable amount of flow (Cocean, 1995).

The cave is in the somewhat tighter category of the archaeological and paleontological casions. Emil Racovita discovered here numerous vestiges belonging to a culture similar with augnacian culture, but he also reached the conclusion that not only the prehistoric man preferred to live in this cave, but also the animals, the most representative being the cavernous bear (Cocean, 1995).

The cave presents a unique gallery with highly branched in the form of an maze but here, all branches are terminated in what the cavers called ”fund de sac”. The narrow sectors alternate with large halls (Cocean, 1995).

In fact, from the entrance into the form of an oven, it is reached through a short ascendant corridor in a single room whose space is divided. A second smaller opening, is smaller and situated higher than the first one, also, communicates with the access corridor in opposite site of the hall, and than is opened a narrow and low gallery interrupted by several clay thresholds. The second circular room, whose canopy amounts to 30 m high and whose floor holds of the repeated traces of excavations used to reveal many bones of cavernous bear. First of all the Igrița Cave is known for the wealth of fossil remains of this great mammal disappeared oward the end of the last cold, that is more than 10000 years ago. Unfortunately, the aesthetic value given by the existence of various methods of materializing, prior to the palaeontological and archaeological interest of the cavity, was largely compromised due to the emphasized degradation of all the negatives. Thus, this cave is an illustrative example of what should not make visitors to the underground cavities (https://www.speologie.org/pestera-igrita).

As regards the conditions of visitation, other than individual means of lighting, is not necessary a special equipment for visiting the cave.

Lentila 204 Natural Reserve

It is situated in Cornet village. In fact, it is a sinkhole which, over time, has been filled with clay sediments, which later have changed into bauxite. Here it dates fossil from the Cretacic and was discovered in the 1970 by the miners who worked on bauxite extractions. Were found ancient birds: two species of primitive birds unprecedent in our country. The flying reptiles found here are pterosaurs and the dinosaurs are the ornithoped herviors. Here, the specialists pointed the existence of the arcgaeopteryx, which is considered the ancestors of all the birds. The type of conservation, but also the age of the site, make this sit unique in the world. In 1995, the investigations were resumed by the Romanian-English team. This lasted until 1999, when the company that managed to drain the water from the mine, went bankrupt. The gallery was flooded again, and at Lentila 204 is impossible to reach. The access to Lentila 204 was made from Brusturi Mine, from which the gallery opened (https://www.primaria-astileu.ro/)

Mnierăie Valley

It has the spring in Tomnatic village. The course water is pretty long (15 km) situated on a limestone plateau, with numerous narrow portions in the form of keys.

Pijnița Cave (or Chișnița Cave)

It is situated on the southern steep of the Peștere village and was registered in the specialized works signed by E. Bokor (1921) r. Jeannel si E. Racovitza (1929), H. Kessler (1942)și T. Rusu (1973, 1975 și 1981) (https://www.speologie.org/pestera-pisnita).

Before the entrance, on the surface of a large travertine cone is a household treatment and the station of distribution services of water, catchment in the cave, in Peștera Village. During periods of droughts, the underground lake is almost complety dry.

Pijnița Cave, being arranged for this purpose, is closed with a metallic grid and a wire mesh, it can only be accessed under certain conditions and with necessary approvals. It is said that the cave has been known with a length of 350 meters (https://www.speologie.org/pestera-pisnita)

Dașa Waterfall from Peștera village

Belvedere Point on the Corboaia Hill from Peștere village

Belvedere Point upon Pijnița Cave from Peștere village

Lapiezuri surface from Călățea village

II.2 Anthropic tourist resources

The orthodox church from Chistag village

In Chistag there was a wooden church, on the Church Hill, on the place today occupied by a church built up of bricks, located in the center of the village.

The orthodox church from Aștileu village

This church has hram of ”Assumtion of the Virgin Mary” was build between 1936-1938. The priests who served, after a Second World War are: Moldovan Alexandru, Motoc Constantin and Popovici Dumitru. Was executed some renovations for roof, changing the ring bells and was build patriarhal house (1990-1999) (Todoca, 2003).

The orthodox church from Călățea village

The church has a hram of ” Saint John of Baptist” and was build between 1938-1940. In 2001 the church was restored being executed the outer site, the roof was equiped with aluminum panel and the old, cracked bell was renewed. In the same year was executed the inside plaster, fresque painting and have been changed the windows. Also, in Călățea village exists a beautiful wooden church which have been build in 2000 finalising in 5 years.

The orthodox church from Peștere village

The church has a hram of ” Martyr Saint Geoge”, was build between 1936-1940 and the construction work were resumed and continued after 1945.

Hydropower from Aștileu village

Was inaugurated in 1954 when was set up the first – line of hight tension from county.

The dam from Aștileu village

The current situation of tourism potential in Aștileu commune

Relief is an extremely important factor in the promotion of tourism in the fact that it contributes to the improvement of the favorable landscape – said, among the most important features of the relief we mention:

-an attractive resource

– it forms the background of a landscape
– it is the physical support of the attractiveness of the entire industry

Its attractive and recreational function is prospect from the point of view of tourist objects, of spreading across the territory and in terms of the typology and of their structural performances. This is about the qualitative characteristics, the estimation of value and the quantitive characteristics, which is the basis for a hierarchy. The relief is based on the foundation of the tourist infrastructure as its material support (Cocean, 2001).

The tourist potential at the village level is marked by a remarkable uniqueness, with countless possibilities for spending the free time in a very picturesque natural environment. Unfortunately, this tourist potential is not exploited at present.

III.1 Traditions and folk customs in Aștileu commune

Like in other areas of Romania, and the local style has the traditions and customs preserved in a very long time. The Folklore that has the Christmas theme is extremely rich: On the eve of Christmas children are caroling with "Steaua" and "In Bethleem", "Silent night", "Three shepherds" and so on.

Caroling tradition on the Christmas Eve is usually practiced by children between 10-12 years. The star is glued on the center with a large yellow sun, and around it are moon, stars and other symbols. "Viflaem" caroling tradition is for children between 13-16 years. The object which symbolizes the "Viflaem" is a small wooden church in colored paper, with colored stars attached to the outside, and on the tower there is a cross in gold or silver tinfoil.

The caroling group sing on the houses of men with daughters to be married: "Corinda fetei" and at the householders houses the next lyrics are sung:

“ Scoală gazdă și te încalță

Că se face dimineață,

Ascultă Crișul cum vine

Dăne gazdă trei măsline,

Dă Doamne Crișul să sece,

Pe gazdă să nu-l înece!”

The Christmas carols highlight the significance of Christmas Celebration.

At ” Carol`s girl” it is appreciated the harmony, the honesty and the correctness.

„Fată d-albă de-mpărat

Luminioară d-ochi-s negri

Dimineață s-a sculat

La fântân-o alergat

La fântâna din Nucet

Unde curge apa-ncet…”

În finalul acestei colinzi se spune:

”Și-un firuț de busuioc

Să-i fie fetei cu noroc!

Și-un mire tinerel

Să poată trăi cu el!

Și te-ntoarce cruce-n masă

Rămâi gazdă sănătoasă

Că plătiși corinda noastră”

(information provided by the Bianca Huseras)

Other traditions and customs. In "Sântoader" day, in order to have a rich harvest, villagers are eating boiled wheat all day long. There is also the tradition to make "smog and manure", in spring, to protect the buds trees and the flowers from frost. In saint George day, the girls had sprung up with water in order to be able to get married as quickly as possible.

As long as the child is not baptized yet, boys had a connection with tools of joinery, boots, agricultural and girls with sewing objects, tissue, crowning, etc. to have skills related to that objects in their future years.

The popular port, that of the villagers is similar to the one inhabitants of the villages on the upper course of Crisul Repede. The men's shirts were now dressed in black leotards with two pockets in front, and women wore velvet. In winter season men and women also wore sheepskin coats.. Those of women were richly ornamented with sewn floral motifs and brilliant colored or metallic glass.

The men usually wore white cloaks (trousers), but at work they chose grey color. They wore a wide leather belt, neatly trimmed with floral motifs. The young men were wearing trousers from knee to hip and leg-hustled boots to their feet carried over trousers. Old men wore long jackets and flats.

The women had ”poale” of web hemp, ”poalele” being cut of seventh cubits had ” ciur” and smaller ”colțișori” than those on the towels. In a front, upon ”poale” is wearing ”zadia” or apron made from velvet ”glot” with floral motifs stitched on the margins. Under these ”poale” is wearing a shorter and closer ”poale”.

During the winter they wore ”suman de lână” white or gray. These ”sumane” were decorated with geometric motifs stitched with thread in diverse colors. The ornaments were on in her sleeves, pockets and cuffs.

On the first half of the 20th century, the elderly were wearing on holiday days, ”buica” made from blue baffle, ornamented with black ”glot” rosettes and and with glass buttons.

Women wore on their heads ”cârpe” (baticuri), and the men straw hats. During the summer the women wore with on their hair uncovered or with ”cârpe” of light color, rich in floral ornaments. No matter how old were the women, they wearing black ”cârpe”, woven from hair, printer in a corner, ar all the way around with garlands of color faults. The young girls left their long hair that they wove in two tails with bonuses at the end, and after marrying were making bake on ” haitău”, this being the distressing sign between the girls and the married women. In Peștere village there is a woman who keeps the tradition and still carries out special folk costumes and to her surprise she has more and more ways to achieve them (information provided by the Bianca Huseras)

III.2. Activities in UAT Aștileu

At this moment Aștileu commune has a medium degree of popularity compared to other localities from this areas, such as: Vadu Crișului, Șuncuius, Bratca, etc., in which sense the natural tourist attractions are not promoted to their real potential and value, however, we find some resources which, at first sight, seem quite insignificant. Living in the area, it may seem natural not to be so impressive about the place where I grew up, the degree of popularity seems to be a regular, even banal, but for some it is not.

During the years I noticed that the great number of tourists visits the Peștere village for the cave he owns (Igrița Cave), which is a special interest for tourists because of the forms ( stalactite, stalacmite, columns, etc.) representing some of the most beautiful and wonderful wonders of nature, Igrița Cave, included in these descriptions for of the Dașa Spring but also for the wonderful fauna and vegetation landscape specific to this region.

Not only are the tourists amazed by the landscape, cave or the waterfall, many of them coming to get their water supplies from the Dașa Spring, water that comes in prolongation of Pijnița Cave. We mentioned Pijnița Cave that, as far as the village is concerned, is the only water supply. During periods of drought, which are mostly summer, the water pipe is also connected to Aștileu. Tourists around the country or foreigners come and supply this mineral-rich water and what matters most to them is that it has lack of chlorine substances that harm the health.

Besides these attributions, Peștere village is also amazed by the presence of highly beautiful belvedere points from which you can admire the neighboring village and localities, a beautiful place of relaxation after a heavy week. These views, besides relaxation, also serve in which they attend some photo meetings before weddings or engagement events.

The commune is equipped with beautiful picnic places, free and promotes relaxation and time spent with family and friends for exemples: Mnierăi Valley from Călățea village, Field 1, Râtu Boțului, Corboaia Hill and Pijnița Cave from Peștere village.

In 1 every 1 may , on the Râtu Boțului field being bigger than others fileds are organized some picnics where the participants are young people from commune but also from Oradea. Being the bigger one, the improvment of a mini-footbal terrain wouldn`t be a problem. Inventive young people set two or three branches and try to position the gates.

Supply of water is not represent a problem due to the approach to Dașa Spring but also to Pijnița Cave. For tourists who want to cool off, close to Pijnița Cave there is a stink used in the past as "washing machine" for some women. Actually, this stink is used as a “pool” in the summer season.

Some young people from localities which include also our commune: Peștere, Aștileu, Chistag villages are meeting in every Friday at 20:00 a.m to repet the song for the next event. This group are called “Amedeo” and their purpose is desire to serve others through their songs. These young people interpret christian music and together with the city hall leaders they plan the exactly space where the events will take place.

The group contains of 30 people and the concerts take places in churches, community centers and outsite. It includes: 4 solists, guitar player and one another with bass guitar player, a drummer, and 21 voices divided each on the proper register: sopran, alto, tenor and bass; the sound system is ensured. In each week they have an interpretation.

For these young people, the freqvent concerts are just some of all their tasks. During the summer, the organized different activities with kids, the last year, these meetings took place in Peștere village. The kids were made many interesting things like they listened interesting morals stories, played different outdoor games, they learned the english language (numbers, colors, animals etc.), children`s songs and choreography, made up different crafts, they learned verses, served a snack and a warm meal for lunch. The children number that were presented daily was 120. Each period of such meetings shall end in a specific way. A way we chose from the beginning to keep is a campire on the last meeting spent with them.

During the summer season, in Aștileu commune are organized different activities like ” Beer Festival” which the last time took place in Aștileu, near the way station.

Also in the area, at the end of the summer season "The celebration days of Aștileu commune" which take place between 3 and 4 days, during which well-known singers from Romania are invited, starting from folcloric music in Romania, to the hip – hop favorite by young generations to light/pop music which brings a general interest with no regard to age and takes place on the football pitch from Refractara (Aștileu).

In the Aștileu commune there are various circuses for the children, a very large number of tourists come from certain parts of the county to attend shows. Usually, the entrance is counter-cost and is paid according to the discount granted. These circus with animals and specialized stunts take place both in Aleșd city and also in Aștileu at wedding hall.

Winter season seems to be the most popular season of all. I don`t know it is a tradition or not but, in Peștere village the young people knows to enjoy snow to the fullest. That`s why, after school, many children or even and some of the young people are going on Corboaia Hill and then, after they tired, one of them is driving a car and links 4-5 sleds to it and starts on the road through the village.

The presence of various mushrooms species means that many tourists will come to find the most sought-after species on the market, for example: White or brown mashrooms (they are often found outside the forest to the field), pitonci (they are found in a hollow treeor around them), crăițe (are the most tasty and juicy for cooking, they have a bright orange color), mușternițe, oiene (color: green, turquoize, blue) rooster` ridge, albiori, gălbiri etc).

Due to the air currents, it can be experienced from extreme sports for exemples jump with paraglider.

III.3. Gastronomy

The gastronomy also offers a strong point for our commune.The most cooked food are "cabbage rolls with pisat". ”Pisatul” is a crushed corn, he was the basic ingredient of the "cabbage rolls" prepared by housewives, the ingredients being: ”pisat”, cabbage, onion, carrots, smoked bacon, ground meat, paprika/chili paste, thyme and dried dill, fresh dill leaves, tomato, salt, pepper, water.

Another traditional food is preluated from hungarian kitcken and is called ”Toroș”. Usually is prepared after cutting the pig when the meat is fresh. Although has a few ingredients the most important being the meal and cobbage it has a great tastes.

Regarding sweets, the cake ”Linsă-ncinsă” is the most popular in the commune. It has a numerous names like „ Tăvălita”, „ Bolțari”, „Silvia”, „Trasă prin cocos”, „bruneta Maria”.

III.4 Accomodation infrastucture

The accommodation base is defined to be the main component of the tourist infrastructure, whose role is to drive the development of the whole environment through a territory with tourist resources. The accommodation capacity is those facilities which provide for tourists the renewal and rest for a certain period of time and at different rates according to the degree of comfort, the season and other characteristic features (food, agreement, etc.).

Therefore, in order to have as little success as possible in increasing the number of tourists who want to visit Aștileu and neighboring localities for several days, they need accommodation.

Because of the low popularity level and because of the low degree of tourism promotion in the area, have not arrange anything acomodation base in Aștileu commune but in the vecinity (Aleșd city, Peștiș village and Aușeu commune) that is only a few kilometers away from the commune, are a few pensions and motels that can fulfill this role for tourists.

BONAVILLA Hotel

It is a hotel built in a unique style, sleek and luxurious, a special and exciting interior design. The apartment and very spacious rooms, all equipped and furnished bathrooms, comfortable beds.

The managers sais ”Here you will find more than just a simple accommodation. At the first step you will be greeted by hospitality in a comfortable and personalized environment. From the spacious rooms and the restaurant with refined cuisine specialities, every corner is a special place you'll have the chance to discover" (https://www.booking.com/hotel/ro/bonavilla-complex.ro.html)

AXON Pension

It is situated in Aușeu commune on the european road E60, 587 kilometer. It has a restaurant, car wash, a playground for children and offers free parking. All the guestrooms have their own bathroom, balcony and are equipped with cable TV. Axon Pension has a parlor with a billiard table, and near the boarding house there is also a fishing pond. This property is also searched for the best quality/price ratio in Autallow! Clients receive more for their money compared to other properties in this city (https://www.booking.com/hotel/ro/pensiunea-axon.ro.html)

Medeea Pension

Located in Peștiș village. The guests have at their disposal a spa center equipped with sauna and tub with hydro-massage. The pension has an outdoor swimming pool with open 24-hour reception and free access to WiFi Internet. The pension has an outdoor pool. The guesthouse rooms have a place of closet. All the rooms include a private bathroom with a bathtub, free toilet items and hairdryer. In every morning, the hotel serves a continental buffet (https://www.booking.com/hotel/ro/pensiunea-medeea.ro.html)

Hotel & Restaurant Olimp Tom

It is situated in Aleșd in center of city. The rooms are equipped with: individual climate and heating, free bathroom, free Wi-fi, dining room, dining room (https://www.olimptom.ro/)

Manhattan Motel

It is located on the exit from city Alesd to Oradea, on DN1 (E60). Guests have access to free parking. Classified to category 2 stars, Manhattan motel has 26 rooms divided into double, triple and quadruple rooms available to guests with private bathroom and TV. Wi-fi is available free of charge in the entire location. The pension restaurant has a capacity of 60 people. Furthermore, the engine offers the open, non-stop reception, terrace, bar, conference and fax (https://www.helloromania.com/cazare-alesd/motel-restaurant-manhattan-897).

The cabin from Călățea village

In Calea village there is a used cabin for tourists who want to spend there a weekend of a reassuring week. The chalet is located at the main street in caves from the lapiezuri surface.

Types and forms of tourism in UAT Aștileu

The type of tourism appears as a sum of fundamental qualities interacting in a certain territory over a certain period of time, which defines the essence of the touristic phenomenon.

Tourism forms are defined according to the different criteria that leave fingerprints on individualizations and on the course of the tourist phenomenon at the scale of its details.

There are four types of tourism:

Recovery tourism

Balneary tourism

Cultural tourism

Mixed tourism

Among the four types of tourism, in Aștileu commune is the tourism of recovery and cultural tourism.

IV.1 Recovery tourism

The fundamental aim of its practice is to meet the recreational needs of the population trained in demanding work, with the high consumption of physical and mental energy, or living in habitats recognized by their everyday stress.

The main features of recreation tourism are:

the greater number of persons is in the process of gaining momentum, mostly from highly developed and urbanised countries;

this type of tourism is practiced by all age groups, but especially by young people and older population;

the duration of the recreational act is also variable. In general, predominates tourism with short and medium term, equivalent to weekends or part of holiday leave.

First of all, the recovery tourism exploid the aesthetic qualities of the tourist fond belonging to the natural frame. On the one hand, he rebuilds a bridge between man and nature, giving him the opportunity to release the pressure of the daily life in a new frame.

The relief, as an element of the natural environment, has a significant share in the structure of the tourist potential. The main tourist objectives belong to the natural environment of the village are: caves and cascades.

The waters from a tourist point of view offer, through different characteristics of the hydrographic network, important points with tourist valences. The elements of the hydroponics valence in the commune are: waterfall and surface waters.

Cascades are a high tourism morophydrological element, the most representative for this area being: Dașa Waterfall.

Surface waters crossing the city contribute to increasing the value of tourist potential for adjacent landscape (Măhăra, 1999).

IV.2 The cultural tourism

The cultural tourism consists in visiting rural sites, the distinction of which is due to the existence of historical monuments, archaeological sites or the participation of social events in the community's life, traditions, crafts, costumes and popular songs.

Popular music singers from Aștileu commune are: Aurel Țurcaș-Vlaicu, Simona Gherman, Camelia Ilea. 
In the commune exists a popular craftsman who makes the most popular costumes specific to this area. Her name is Huseraș Maria Claudia from Peștere village.

IV.3 Forms of tourism presents in Aștileu commune

Mountain tourism

It is a component of rural tourism. It can be combined with ecologic tourism and adventure tourism. The tourist resources available to tourists are natural: historic (archaeological) and cultural, and a harmonious combination of them can be extremely valuable in tourist programs.

Adventure and speotourism

These 2 forms of tourism are linked to the pursuit of extreme sports that earn more and more followers, especially among young people. In Vad-Borod depression are practiced “rafting”, “kayak”, “canyoning”, “speoturism”, “climb” si “mountainbiking”. The facilities for practicing these sports are rather prevalent than the potential of the area.

As regards the speleological destinations, Astileu commune has a large number of caves, very interesting and that could be adapted for the visitors' access, but it is a pity that such natural riches cannot be visited.

For adventure tourism it`s practiced paragliding.

Cinegetic tourism

The potential lovers of this tourism can meet a rich fauna due to the deciduous forests in the commune. The most hunted animals are: rabbits, foxes, deer, wild boars.

Cyclotourism

Due to the relief in the area, of the marked potting network, the cycloturism has all the necessary conditions to be used to the full intensity in the Aștileu commune. Considering that bicycles are an adventurous and ecological way, they can be used by a large number of tourists. In order to make cycling fully exploited the necessary planning of the cycling paths, as well as the setting up of centers for renting bicycles.

Fishing

At local level, there are suitable conditions for fishing in the area where there are fish species. The fish species that can be fished are: crap, lean, mrean, trout and drostas. The development of periodic sport fisheries contests can provide an important dimension to tourism development in the area concerned.

Agrotourism

Rediscovering the traditional way of life, the opportunity to spend time in regions marked by the rural traditions, is the main motivation of travelers who opt for this form of rural tourism.

The agrotourism able to exploit the surplus of accommodation in the countryside by involving tourists in the household life and providing them with services and activities (meals, accomodation, interaction with the socio-natural environment) of the peasant household without its specificity. Agrotourism embraces all the tourism activities carried out in rural areas, with the purpose of exploiting the human and natural potential of villages.

Other recreation activities: Beds (linden, shock, sound), berries (pickles, maces, tender)

Planning proposal of tourism potential

V.1 Touristic Routes

Due to the natural and anthropogenic resources of the commune, there is the possibility of arranging different tourist routes. These tourist routes can depend on the activities we want to practice. These touristic routes want to promote cyclotourism.

The first route will stars from Chistag village and on the road there will be stopped in the village of Peștere, visiting the church with hram ” Martyr Saint Geoge”, in Aștileu visiting the church with hram ” Assumtion of the Virgin Mary” and Călățea visiting the church ” Saint John of Baptist ” also the wooden church, the lapiezuri surface and the Potriva Cave.

We propose a tourist route for Peștere village due to the most impresive tourist attractions. This is why we propose the visiting of natural tourist attractions such as: Dașa Waterfall, Pijnița Cave, Igrița Cave si belvedere views on the Pijnița Cave and Corboaia places where we can relax and to admire a spectacular landscape. The departure will be from Alesd and arrival in Peștere village.

The following route will be as objective: Dașa Spring (Peștere), Hydropower and Dam (Aștileu) and Mnierăi Valley (Călățea). The departure will be from Peștere and arrival in Călățea village.

V.2 The planning of camping in Călățea and Peștere villages

The tourism planning assume, on the one hand, the introduction of the existing objectives in the tourism sector and on the other hand the creation of new targets and new attractions. The development of a tourism planning strategy involves several factors including: natural and anthropogenic tourism resources, their degree of promotion, material, human and financial resources related to tourism. Taking into account these factors, one of the main objectives of the tourism development strategy is to make a great use of the tourist potential.

Tourist design stages: Document the office, tourist accommodation of the land, primary processing of information, the development of the concept of planning, the preparation of investment project, the provision of financing, the getting of authorizations for the operation of facilities, the establishment of the promotion system, the implementation.

In addition to these strategies and principles, the tourist improvement measures identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in SWOT analysis.

The strenghts points represents positive invoice aspects, making the best value possible to achieve the desired objective.

The certification and evaluation of the strengths in the process of developing the tourism planning strategy is carried out taking into account a wide and varied range of aspects such as: potential for positional and accessibility, availability of resources, availability of networks for water, electricity, etc.

The weaknesses points are a negative invoice aspect, that are, the elements that can compromise the achievement of the desired objective.

Opportunities are elements belonging to the external environment, for the identification a vigorous information activity is required.

Threats can influence the attainment of the objective, they can be identified as an operational list based on information in the external environment.

Camping sites are tourist reception structures designed to provide accommodation for tourists in tents or caravans, which are designed to enable them to park their transportation means, to prepare their meals and to benefit from the other services specific to these types of units. They are usually located in tourist resorts or close to tourist attractions.

For Aștileu commune, there are two locations where one of the camping sites could be placed: in Călățea and Peștere village.

V.3 The camping planning in Călățea village

The area where the caravanas will be placed has 20 arii, a caravan having approximately 2.10 meters width and 5 meters length. Taking this information into account, will be placed 12 caravanas on our field, the distance between them will be 2 meters. The maximum number for each caravan is 4 people. Each caravan will have two double beds, a bathroom, a wardrobe for things (information provided by the Aștileu’s commune topographer)

For the planning for this camping shall be taken into account the following components

– emplacement of benches with table

– caravanas

-garbage cans

– public WC

V.4 The camping planning in Peștere village

This terrain has 20 arii. If we take to the consideration that a tent has 3 meters width with an number of 3 persons/ tent, on our area will fit 17 tents, the ammount of people being 51. This will fluctuate depending to the width of the tent and the number of people who will occupy that tent (information provided by the Aștileu’s commune topographer)

For the planning for this camping shall be taken into account the following components:

– emplacement of benches with table

-garbage cans

– public WC

-tents

V.8 Model of informative panel

The information panel is a tabloid with more detailed information about both natural and anthropogenic tourist resources. The below panel contains information related to the Pijnița Cave from Peștere village. The information is in three languages: English, Romanian and Hungarian.

V.9 Indicators model

The route indicators are of a variable size (32cm/45cm, 40cm/56cm, 50cm/70cm), being horizontally placed.

Conclusions

As a result of the above we can conclude that the UAT Aștileu has a medium tourist potential. I’ve tried to prove that the popularity and the reason why tourists are interested in visiting an area is not necessarily in the diversity of objectives, but rather in the way they are promoted.

Therefore, this tourism promotion has attempted to rely especially on the objectives of the natural environment, suggesting routes that include natural tourist objectives, as well as those that include tourist attractions belonging to the anthropic one.

Due to the low accommodation infrastructure, the only places where tourists can spend a day are too far away from the commune, so we proposed the implementation of two campsites, one with caravans and another one with tents. These camps were introduced from the desire to bring something unique in the commune.

In conclusion, this workpaper aims to valorize on the tourist potential in Aștileu commune through the already existing factors (traditions and customs, folk costumes, events organized in this area or even the gastronomy), but also through the implementation of new ways of promotion.

Bibliography

Grigore, P. Pop., (2000), Carpații și subcarpații României, Ed. Presa Universitară Clujeana;

Ștefan, Denzi, Pompei, Cocean., (2001), Prospectare și geoinformare turistică, Ed. Presa Universitară Clujeană;

Filimon, Cl., (2014), Depresiunea Oradea – Bratca, Ed. Presa Universitară Clujeană

Novac, Ionel., (2006), Munții Pădurea Craiului, Ed.Tipo Mc, Oradea;

Rus, Ioan., (2005), Substrat ți peisaj geografic în munții Pădurea Craiului, Editura Universității din Oradea;

Pompei. C., Filip. S., (2008), Geografia regionala a României, Edit. Presa Universitară Clujeană;

Măhăra G., Bențe F., Ilieș A., Ribana Linc, Luminița Pâle, Stașac M., Josan N., Petrea D., Rodica Petrea, Nistor S., Vlaicu M., Gaceu O., (1999), Potențialul turistic al bazinului hidrografic al Crișului Repede, Editura Universității din Oradea;

Todoca I., (2003), Monografia Comunei Aștileu, Editura Treira, Oradea;

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Informații furnizate de Bianca Huseraș

https://www.speologie.org/pestera-de-la-astileu

https://www.booking.com/hotel/ro/bonavilla-complex.ro.html

https://www.speologie.org/pestera-igrita

https://www.speologie.org/pestera-lui-potriva

http://www.bihon.ro/top-fest-alesd-2014-p/1430087

https://www.primaria-astileu.ro/

https://www.booking.com/hotel/ro/bonavilla-complex.ro.html

https://www.booking.com/hotel/ro/pensiunea-axon.ro.html

https://www.booking.com/hotel/ro/pensiunea-medeea.ro.html

https://www.olimptom.ro/

https://www.helloromania.com/cazare-alesd/motel-restaurant-manhattan-897