Culture and Education

Since the very beginnings of the commune's villages, small wooden churches were built. Because of the demographic evolution, it became necessary the building of larger churches. Even if the stone was present in large quantities in the area, the new churches were also built in wood, because of a decree of the Austrian rule that stated that the Orthodox churches were not allowed to be built in stone.

The first Orthodox priest mentioned in the Romanesti village was Ioan, in 1669. Because of unknown historic circumstances, the inhabitants of the village passed after 1700 to the Greek-Catholic church, in order to come back to Orthodox church in 1948. In 1600 was built the first church, in the center of the settlement. After 1800 it became necessary a larger one, built in 1833 and dedicated to St. Nicholas. This church exists even nowadays.

In Francenii Boiului, the first wooden church was built in 1757 and was also dedicated to St. Nicholas. In the construction was not used the iron (nails a.s.o.), everything is made entirely in wood. The church is a monument now, being one of the oldest wooden churches in the area. In 1928-1930 a second church was built.

The education of the youth was at first made by the church's people, so its very hard to establish a moment in time at which it began. However, we have documents on the first buildings erected as schools.

The first school in Boiu Mare was founded in 1880. The teacher was an inhabitant of the village, paid directly by the children's parents. In 1911 a new school with one classroom was built, and in 1934 a second classroom was added. The building was conducted by the church and financed by the villagers. In 1963 a new school with 4 classrooms was built, and in 1966 a kindergarten.

In Romanesti the first school was built in 1833. Because of the small number of children, the teacher also taught in Francenii Boiului and Salnita.

In Francenii Boiului a building for the school existed since 1952, but it was abandoned in 1985 because of the very small number of children. Since then the children study at the Boiu Mare school.

The inhabitants of Boiu Mare commune are interested of education, a fact proven by many people born here that obtained University degrees.