Inlăceni - the labyrinth village
Architectural Objective
About
The village won the ”Europa Nostra” award.
In the Southwestern part of Harghita county, 25 km away from Odorheiu Secuiesc and 18 km away from Cristuru Secuiesc, lies Inlăceni, a village unchanged for hundreds of years, beautiful as in the stories of childhood.
In the Southwestern part of Harghita county, 25 km away from Odorheiu Secuiesc and 18 km away from Cristuru Secuiesc, lies Inlăceni, a village unchanged for hundreds of years, beautiful as in the stories of childhood.
The age of the houses is measured in centuries, most of them rural architecture monuments raised in a time when the planks were joined together with wooden slats. They look very similar with each other.
Built of stone and wood, they are painted white or azure, covered with tiny tiles made in the village, and the flower garden in front of the house is indelible. The entry in the house is made through a mezzanine, by climbing a wooden ladder or a few steps made of stone. The ground floor and the basement are reserved for the kitchen, the storage rooms and the cellar.
But the peculiarity of Inlăceni’s unique status in Romania is the multitude of streets and alleys that cross the village and whose number exceeds that of houses. Slightly concentric, they spread to the four entrances in the village, crossing the property of the people. They are twisted like the mythical edifice built by Dedal, hence the name "labyrinth village", which was assigned to the locality.
Cover photo: Mihálydeák Antal
Text and video sources: https://www.descopera.ro; https://www.youtube.com/
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Text and video sources: https://www.descopera.ro; https://www.youtube.com/
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Mansion
Family-friendly attraction
Monument
The Henter family of Sepsiszentivány probably built the still standing mansion in the 18th Century, presumably on the spot of an earlier structure connected to the Hadnagy family.
During the 18th Century the ill-fated Ádám Henter Sr. lived and worked here along with his wife, Krisztina Sármasági. Their son, the eventual Baron Ádám Henter Jr. (1714-1781) was born here, and following the Siculicidum he became the King’s Judge of Csíkszék. He, along with his wife, Borbála Nagy of Petk, is remembered by local knowledge as the patron of the settlement, since he offered significant help with restoring the local church. The family’s next member, Baron Antal Henter (1748-1824) served as imperial chamberlain and sheriff of Udvarhelyszék, his wife was Countess Anna Heller. Out of their six children József Henter (1791-1867) was the last male descendant of the family. With his demise the Henter family’s branch, which received the Baron title, completely died out. József Henter, known for his charity, his patronage of the theather and museums, was buried in the family crypt in Csíkszentimre, even though he had lived in Kelementelke. In his will he left a significant sum for building the church’s tower in Csíkszentimre. His only heir was his adopted daughter – the Baroness from Zágon, Irén Szentkereszti.
In 1878 Endre Székely from Pókakeresztúr (1835-1903) the sheriff of Csíkszentmárton bought up the sizable estate and moved in the mansion along with his wife, Adél Babolcs. At this time the local vicar, Sándor Veress noted in the domus historia that „this transaction was very much to the advantage of the village.”
In 1922 the local parish bought parts of the estate from the heirs of Endre Székely, „along with the mansional house and with the outbuildings.” – noted in the domus historia by vicar Balázs Kovács. Later the parish was forced to give up the building of the parochial school in favor of the state, and so in 1948 the denominational school moved into the building. This structure also served as the cultural center of the village while also housing the local cinema from 1934 until the erection of the newly built cultural center, in 1973. István Salló, teacher and cultural organizer created the first village museun of the Csík-basin in the mansion. During the 1970’s a few rooms were still utilized as classrooms, but after this the building stood empty for decades and almost went completely derelict, even though there were several attempts after the regime change in 1989 to restore the building, with the cooperation of the Szekler Museum of Csík.
In 2011 the Mayors’s Office of Csíkszentimre bought the building for 233335 leis. Its restoration took place between 2020 and 2023 with the help of the European Union, within the framework of the Regional Operative Program. The plans for the restoration were carried out by several architectural companies, led by the architect Szabolcs Guttman and coordinated by the Vallum Inc. from Csíkszereda and Szabolcs Korodi.
VISITING PROGRAM
Visits to Henter Mansion are by appointment.
For reservations call +40 788 125 166 at least three working days before arrival, at Monday to Friday between 9AM to 3PM.
Ticket price: 10 RON/person
The garden of the Mansion can be visited free of charge. By scanning the QR codes on the trees, you can learn information about them.
Sântimbru/Csíkszentimre 537271, Romania
Architectural Objective
The school traces its origins to the Roman Catholic gymnasium founded at Șumuleu Ciuc/Csíksomlyó by Franciscan friars in the mid-18th century. The facilities of this building had become obsolete by the late 19th century, when a move into Miercurea Ciuc/Csíkszereda was proposed. Finally, the move was approved in 1900 and architect Ignác Alpár was tasked with drawing up plans.
The initial proposal was drawn up in 1902, land donated in 1905 and financing settled in 1907: funds would come from Csík County, from the Hungarian government and from the Catholic Church. The project was handed over to Sándor Pápai.
The cornerstone was laid in May 1909, and the building was inaugurated in June 1911 by Count Gusztáv Károly Majláth, bishop of Transylvania. The right (south) wing, meant for a seminary, was finished in 1913. The left (north) wing was a dormitory with twelve bedrooms, eight study rooms and other features. The building was very modern for its time, but World War I began a few years after its opening, and it was partly transformed into a military hospital. Furniture and books were destroyed, statues disappeared, the chemistry laboratory was left empty, the coin and antiques collection was decimated. Courses stopped entirely for the 1916-1917 year.
The end of the war and the union of Transylvania with Romania brought about changes: an elementary school moved into the building, while in 1923–1931, and again in 1941–1942, a teacher training school operated inside the left wing. After its 1931 departure, the boarding area and seminary were merged, running independently in the wings. School life was disrupted under Hungarian rule during World War II: in 1943–1944, the building was used as a hospital and offices, equipment damaged and teachers forced to move into the gymnasium and art room. That year, classes started in November and finished on April 1. In its first three decades, school operations were largely financed through foundation grants.
In 1948, the new Romanian communist regime nationalized the school. The chapel became a functions hall, while three large stained-glass panels were removed; these depicted the Virgin Mary, Saint Stephen and Saint Emeric. The panels were reconstructed in 2008. Commemorative plaques along the hallways describing the building's history, and a bust of Bishop Majláth, were also removed. In 1990, the school was named after Bishop Áron Márton, a former student. A Catholic theological high school opened in the same building in 1991. The school was declared a national college in 2015.
The building features three wings. The central one is the high school proper, and is the most prominent. It has a mansard roof between two towers. The main facade is decorated in a variety of styles: Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque Revival, as well as Art Nouveau. Its most striking element are the massive windows, which recall those of medieval churches. The main entrance is Romanesque in its three pairs of miniature stone columns and arch, while the latter is worked in Baroque, with its stucco beads and shells. Meanwhile, its wavy edge is characteristic of Art Nouveau. The building is listed as a historic monument by Romania's Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs.
Strada Márton Áron 80, Miercurea Ciuc 530211, Romania
Architectural Objective
Built on the corner of Petőfi Sándor Street and Tudor Vladimirescu Street, the closed, one-storey corner house was originally intended as a residential building, with a separate lawyer's office on the ground floor. Later it became the House of the Communist Youth Organization, then a confectionery and disco bar. At present the Consulate General of Hungary is located in the building.
The style of the building is unique in Miercurea Ciuc/Csíkszereda.
Strada Petőfi Sándor 45, Miercurea Ciuc 530210, Romania
Experiences
Family-friendly attraction
Architectural Objective
Open
Located in the centre of Parajd, the upside-down house measures 8×5 metres.
Through the main door, you enter directly into the attic, where the children's room is located. A staircase leads to the ground floor, where is a kitchen, living room and a bathroom.
TICKET PRICES
• under 3 years free
• 10 RON - for children up to 12 years
• 20 RON - for adults
Praid/Parajd 537240, Romania
Experiences
Family-friendly attraction
Architectural Objective
Closed
Discover Transylvania in one day!
Mini Transylvania Park is the only multicultural, thematic mock-up park in Romania, where visitors can see a scaled-down copy of Transylvania's most important historical buildings. The park is located in Szejkefürdő/Băile Szejke, near Székelyudvarhely/Odorheiu Secuiesc.
In the area of about 8000 square meters we recommend to our visitors:
• our open-air exhibition, which presents scale models of more than 80 of the most significant castles, fortified churches, mansions and other monumental buildings in Transylvania;
• most of them are part of the national heritage and UNESCO World Heritage;
• a mini-Szekler train tour;
• buffalo carriage rides;
• the Mineral Water Museum;
• exhibition of the Szekler gates;
• the Orbán Balázs Visitor Center;
• playground.
Tickets:
• Ticket for adults: 40 lei
• Ticket for children (free for children under 3 years): 25 lei
• Ticket for retirees: 25 lei
• Adult group ticket (minimum 10 people): 35 lei
• Group ticket children / pensioners (minimum 10 people): 20 lei
* Ticket price for the Mini Transylvania Park includes admission to the Orbán Balázs Visitor Center.
Tickets for the Mini Secler Steam:
• Adult ticket: 10 lei
• Children's ticket: 5 lei
The idea of the Transylvanian mini-park came from Szekler Legendarium's team. The scale models exposed in our park present the most important buildings of the region's nationalities, in their golden age.
The scale models were made by Németh Hajnal Auróra and Vajda Domokos born in Cristuru Secuiesc, with the contribution of historical graphic artist Gyöngyössy János.
Baile Szejke, Odorheiu Secuiesc/Székelyudvarhely 535600, Romania
Church
Architectural Objective
Open
The Millennium church is said to have been built somewhere between 2001 and 2003 so as to cater to the needs of growing community of believers. The name Millennium refers to the 1000 years that have passed since the Hungarian people’s Christianity and the two lateral towers have five magnificent crosses. The Church’s central body has a Biblical theme and has been ornamented with decorative elements that were used in the old Churches. The roof has been crowned with a glass dome that has the corners of four angels who look down towards the Church’s altar.
The Millennium church is a memorable landmark of the city and is one of the most beautiful buildings in the area.
Photo: Darvas-Kozma József
Strada Kossuth Lajos, Miercurea Ciuc, Romania
Architectural Objective
Love at first sight – this is how the work of the Szász family began, when they managed to purchase a land at Lunca de Jos - Valea Boroș, on which only a cottage and an abandoned shed stood, left to chance.
Currently, the land looks rather like a small village, with eleven small cottage houses of extraordinary beauty, initially condemned to degradation.
We disassembled them, transported and rebuilt them based on photographs and numbering, preserving the original humus method, both indoors and outdoors, and furnishing them with old traditional furniture. The sheds, built later, serve other purposes: one became a bathing house and the other a dance hall.
We hope that the tourists who visit the village (which can accommodate 110 people) will appreciate the traditions and the folk art.
Gyimesi Skanzen Guesthouse
Valea Boroș 537149, Romania
Architectural Objective
Three main streets, along with several other side streets, which surround the historic core of Odorheiu Secuiesc, form the center of the city.
The Reformed Church, built the middle of it, once split the city in the Lower Square and The Upper Square (today Városháza Square and Márton Áron Square).
There are historical buildings and monuments in the center of the city, their architectural style being defined by Baroque, Classicism and the 19th century architecture.
Public buildings, churches, shops, all evoke a historic atmosphere, despite the fact that the center has gained its appearance today only in the twentieth century.
Text and photo source: http://www.odorhei-turism.ro/
Odorheiu Secuiesc 535600, Romania
Castle
Architectural Objective
Closed
Closed for restoration.
Urmánczy Castle in Toplița/Maroshévíz was built between 1903-1906 on the banks of the Mureş/Maros River. The owner at that time was Urmánczy Jeromos, of Armenian origin, and the architect of the building was Giacomuzzi Virgilio (Vigilio) from Tyrol.
The castle is made in the Art Nouveau style, combined with the popular features related to the name of Kós Károly, a special style in the context of the Transylvanian castle architecture.
The dominant feature of the castle is the water tower on the right side of the main facade, with the main entrance on the ground floor. Inside the castle, the two-storey tall main hall offers access to the rest of the rooms: to the men's rooms overlooking the garden, to the dining room and to the owners' apartment. Upstairs were the children's rooms and guest rooms, while in the basement there were the servants' rooms, the kitchen, the storerooms and the cellar.
Over time, the castle building served as the headquarters of the local hospital, of an ethnographic museum, and of the local dance ensemble.
After 2009, the building was returned to the legal heirs. Currently, it has no function, but is open to visitors every Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm.
Strada Mihail Kogălniceanu 17, Toplița 535700, Romania