Anyone who is passionate of history, anyone who enjoys wondering the Romanian regions, cannot declare oneself content if he has not passed through Apuseni Mountains at least one time. The Motzen – the majority population in Apuseni Mountains – live their harsh life under the forest’s roof. Through their lifestyle they have generated the specific landscape characterized by structures and elements which makes of it a unique place among the most valuable areas in Romania and Europe. This type of landscape is representative for the Romanian culture and got well known through Apuseni Natural Park (PNAp). The reasons for populating these high elevated areas with rough climate, poor land and defective orography are complex, such as: locals’ specialization in wood processing, the need for large areas for livestock, hiding from fiscal oppression etc. The people who came from Arieş Valley have set grounds on the Gheţari-Poiana Călineasa Plateau, permanent farmsteads which later on have generated the family hamlets called here „crânguri”: Hănăşeşti (founded by Hanăş family), Păşteşti (founded by Paşca family), Avrămeşti (founded by Avram family) etc. The farmsteads are typical for scattered mountain villages, each farmstead being composed of a few annexes of diverse uses: for animals, hay storage, materials and tools etc. The construction technique is specific to Motzen, wood being the main construction material.

Nowadays, the Motzen main jobs are wood exploitation and agriculture. The farmsteads’ activities are diverse but the main income for Motzen family is obtained from processing wood. The intensive exploitation of the forest leads to the decrease in the forest fund which will be experienced by the future generations. “In this situation, the defeated are the forest and the society”. The work with wood is considered a main occupation having three activities: working in the forest (employment for sawing), wood processing (chops, boards and vessels making) and turning into account through itinerant trade. In general, in the harsh conditions in Apuseni Mountains, a subsistence agricultural system is performed. The products obtained out of animal husbandry are destined to family consumption. The main use category of open land is the grassland which is generally used through a mixed system (mowing and grazing). The arable land has a very low share and the range of cultivated plants is very poor.