Lake Saint Anne
Family-friendly attraction
Natural reserve
09:00 - 19:00
Open
09:00 - 19:00
Open
Weekly Schedule
Monday
09:00
-
19:00
Tuesday
09:00
-
19:00
Wednesday
09:00
-
19:00
Thursday
09:00
-
19:00
Friday
09:00
-
19:00
Saturday
09:00
-
19:00
Sunday
09:00
-
19:00
About
The lake St. Ana, located in the crater of Ciomatul Mare, is the only volcanic lake in Central and Eastern Europe, being the most visited travel destination of the Szeklerland.
The steep walls of Ciomatul Mare’s volcanic cone surround it, with a few higher peaks: Ciomatul Mare (1301 m), Ciomatul Mic (1238 m), Tata hill (1174 m) or Pietros peak (1125 m). Unique in Europe, the lake is at 946 m altitude, with a diameter of 1737 m and a maximum depth of 7 m. From the edge of the crater, 13 temporary brooks, which form during heavy rains, bring water and gravel into the lake.
The lake is fed by rainwater and snow melt. The process of sedimentation began on the northern and western edges, an increasingly thick layer of sludge covering the bottom of the lake. When the weather is fine, especially without wind, you can see bubbles of gas rising from the bottom of the lake, which are actually manifestations of post-volcanic activity. In the north and northeast of the lake, one can see a layer of floating peat about one meter thick.
Cover photo: Fodor István
Photo Gallery
Video
Audio Guide
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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
Experiences
Family-friendly attraction
Landmark
Open
The Insect Park is located next to the Mini Transylvania Park, where both giant insects, 2 meters high, and smaller insects made by our team are exhibited. The park is the only one of its kind in Romania and the second in Europe, a similar one can be visited in Poland.
The park displays 18 giant robotic insects, so tourists can see and hear how they behave in nature. These insects originate from our country, ranging from the common tick to grasshoppers, ants, butterflies, ladybugs and even scorpions.
Information:
The park is located at Băile Seiche, near Odorheiu Secuiesc.
Tickets:
• Adult ticket: 25 RON
• Children's ticket (free for children under 3): 15 RON
• Ticket for senior citizens: 15 RON
• Group ticket (minimum 10 people):
• Adults: 22 RON
• Children / pensioners: 13 RON
CAUTION!
!!! People with disabilities are admitted free of charge if they have a document proving this!!!
We look forward to seeing you at the Băile Seiche/Szejkefürdő near Odorheiu Secuiesc/Székelyudvarhely!
Băile Seiche/Szejkefürdő (Odorheiu Secuiesc/Székelyudvarhely) 535600, 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
Exhibition
Family-friendly attraction
Landmark
The Szekler Border Guard Memorial Center presents the history of the Szekler military organization and border defense in the Eastern Carpathians, starting from the Árpád-era up until the Second World War.
The Szekler Border Guard Memorial Center, created by the Frumoasa Association, is a niche and unique tourist destination in Szeklerland, and, through presenting all the damages and the suffering war causes, also contributes to the strengthening of the modern European pacifism.
Besides the richness of reconstructed scenes with mannequins, an array of modern technical equipment also helps the visitors learn about a thousand years of history.
Tickets:
• Adult: 30 lei
• Students: 15 lei (one must present a valid ID)
Free admission for museum workers, journalists, teachers leading a group, tourist guides.
The exhibition is not recommended for children under 10 years.
Guidance is provided in three languages (hungarian, romanian and english) through an audioguide system.
The length of museum visit: 90-120’
Photography, audio recording and video recording is strictly prohibited!
Opening hours:
Wednesday 10-16
Thursday 10-16
Friday 10-16
Saturday 10-16
*last entry: 15:30
Strada Mihăileni/Szentmihályi út 18, Frumoasa/Csíkszépvíz 537115, Romania
Experiences
Family-friendly attraction
Architectural Objective
Open
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
Natural attraction
Traditional bath
Family-friendly attraction
Open
The Fairy Glade is a group of mineral springs, which flow in open-air pools. The place has a wardrobe and resting points.
In 2009, the Ars Topia Foundation decided to build traditional baths in Borsec, using voluntary work.
For ten days, young people from Hungary and Transylvania worked together with the locals to arrange these baths. Since then, the baths enjoyed great success among visitors.
The project achieved several goals, such as: building swimming pool with mineral water, foot baths, changing rooms, gazebo, sunbeds.
There are indicator panels in widely circulated languages, hand-painted on wood and decorated with floral motifs specific to the area.
Year after year, the number of tourists visiting these baths is on the rise, but locals also use these mineral waters for different treatments.
The Fairy Glade also has belvedere points and picnic or sunbathing areas.
There is no program or entrance fee.
📷 Rédai Botond
Poiana Zânelor, Strada Stadionului, Borsec 535300, Romania
Natural reserve
The natural reserve is located West from the Băile Tușnad town, on 1.5 ha. It is located on the Southern part of the Harghita mountains, on the Eastern slope of the Pilisca Mare volcanic cone. One of the most visited attractions is the Piatra Șoimilor andesitic pillar, which offers a remarkable view on the whole region.
It was declared a reserve due to the presence of a single yellow flower, the Hieracium telekianum, this is the only place on Earth, where this little flower still exists. Then the St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), the Cytisus hirsutus or the Telekia speciosa in the early summer months along the creeck of the reserve have to be mentioned.
Besides a series of plants and trees, the bird population of the reserve should be discussed also, this being very valuable as well. Here we can see the Ural owl (Strix uralensis), the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo), the Eurasian nuthatch (Sitta europaea), the great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major), the black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius), the Eurasian wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), and the blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus).
This region is home to more than 35 brown bears, so visiting the reserve after sunset is not recommended.
Text and photo source: http://www.greenharghita.ro/
Tusnad, 535100, Romania
Natural reserve
This is the only mountain swamp in the Northern Harghita Mountains. It is located on the exterior slope of a volcanic crater, between the Ostoroș peak (1386 m), Fagul Roșu peak (1336 m), and the Observatorul peak (1372 m), at 1180 meters altitude.
The swamp covers 20 ha land, and it is densely populated by ice age relict plant species. It is accessible on a tourist trail that starts from the church in Cârța. Among the protected plant species we mention the Liguaria sibirica, the bay willow (Salix pentandra), and the hare’s tail cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum). In 2000 a group of scientists discovered here a new spider species, the Meioneta similis, which is an ice age relict spider, observed in Iceland, Finland and Northern Russia so far.
Text and photo source: http://www.greenharghita.ro
Danesti, Romania