Places

The Snail’s Hill is a geological reserve that spans an area of ​​8 hectares at Corund/Korond. It is considered the largest aragonite occurrence in Romania, receiving a national protected status since 1980. The study of the aragonite in the area date from the 18th to 19th centuries. János Bányai (1938) argues that precipitation processes formed the carbonate deposits from saline, carbonated solutions with low temperature. The water spring from Snail’s Hill is in the form of a natural, active spring. The water appears at the base of the carbonate deposits or through the cracks of the rocks, bubbling smelly gas. The freshly depositing material is aragonite and calcite. Knop Vencel, the teacher of Czech origin invited to take courses at the Zlatna Industrial School of Stone Sculpture and Grinding, began de exploitation of aragonite in 1909. The teacher moved to Corund and established the Aragonite Polishing Factory. The peak of exploitation and processing of aragonite in Corund is placed between 1931-1939. As a result of these mining activities, the diverse forms of natural deposits were harmed, but nowadays a wald through the rocks gives a unique opportunity to discover the beauty of aragonites and banded calcites. You can visit the reserve on your own on a nicely maintained visitor path. If you need more professional guiding, please call the phone number to book your visit. You can buy simple visiting ticket, or you can opt for a combined ticket, which contains the entrance fee for the Salty bath UNICUM, lying on the foothill of the rocks. Entry fee: 5 RON

In 2011, the largest statue of Jesus in Eastern Europe was built on Gordon hill in Harghita, between Odorheiu-Secuiesc and Praid. Called “the Heart of Jesus”, the statue is about 22 meters high, and is made of iron and stainless steel. The statue costed 200,000 EUR and was paid by donations gathered by the Lupeni village hall. Inside the statue, there are metallic spiral staircases up to the head, from where you could admire the wonderful view around. Photo: Mihálydeák Antal, Fülöp Attila

Fântâna Brazilor bog is located at an altitude of about 950 m, in the central-western part of the Praid-Dealu volcanic plateau, in Gurghiu Mountains.  The Fântâna Brazilor bog was declared a Natura 2000 site in 2007. It appears as Luc or Ruc in the literature, but locals generally call it Datka. It is the Westernmost bog with pine trees in the Eastern Carpathians. The bog is surrounded by a spruce forest (Vaccinio-Piceetum abietis). Among the important fauna species are the red forest frog (Rana dalmatina), the red mountain frog (Rana temporaria), salamandra (Salamandra salamandra), and the mountain lizard (Zootoca vivipara). You can visit the peat bog on a visitor trail constructed with the help of the local community. If you visit on your own, please don't forget to pay the entrance fee at the small shop right before arriving at the entrance. You will discover along the path the specific processes and flora of the Siberian marshlands and forests, even insectivore plants and poisonous ones.  If you need more professional guiding, please book your time at the phone number attached here.  Text and photo source: https://www.korpa.ro/

Tinovul Mohoş is located in the eastern corner of the Ciomatu Mare Massif, at the southern foot of Mohoş Peak (1177 m) at an altitude of 1050 m. It has a diameter of 800 m, an area of 80 ha and a depth of 10 m. Tinovul Mohoş is actually an alpine peat bog. From the ancient lake, only 13 puddles of water remained. The view of the pine trees growing on the peat layer, as well as the thick bilberry bushes, offer a great sight. Among the rare species of the reserve are the carnivorous plants of the quaternary era such as the round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), Drosera obovata, the english sundew (Drosera anglica) and the bog cranberry (Vacccinium oxicoccos). There are also species from the last ice age: the bog-rosemary (Andromeda polifolia), the black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) and the hare's-tail cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum). Visitor Information Visiting System for Lake Saint Anne and the Mohoș Bog PARKING • The entry terminal issues a parking ticket (for cars and coaches). • The first 3 hours of parking are free and included with the visitor ticket. • Without a visitor ticket, parking is free for the first 10 minutes. After that, the fee is RON 3 per 30 minutes for cars and motorcycles, and RON 15 per 30 minutes for minibuses and coaches. TICKET PURCHASE • Ticket prices and online ticket purchase are available at: mohos.ro • If you have not purchased your ticket online, you can buy a visitor ticket at the Knowledge Centre. • The visitor ticket is valid for one day only, on the date of issue. • The visitor ticket grants access to the entire site (Knowledge Centre, Mohoș Bog, and Lake Saint Anne). • Please keep your ticket with you, as it may be checked several times during your visit. KNOWLEDGE CENTRE • Exhibition and film screening: admission to both the exhibition and the film screening is included with the visitor ticket. • Restrooms: located on the ground floor and in the basement of the Knowledge Centre, near the screening room. • Gift shop: available in the parking area, and soon also inside the Knowledge Centre. • Terrace: refreshments are served from the food truck. • Information: if you have any questions, please ask a member of our staff. CHECKPOINT • Ticket validation (former information point): scan the QR code to validate your ticket. • After validation, you may continue your visit either to the Mohoș Peat Bog or to Lake Saint Anne. The two attractions can be visited in any order. REGULATIONS • Stay on the boardwalk. • Picking plants or collecting peat or any other natural features is strictly prohibited. • Please keep quiet. • The nature trail is protected by an electric fence. Please proceed with caution. For your safety, please follow the instructions of our staff throughout your visit. The area is under video surveillance.

The opening of the exhibition took place in 2001 with the occasion of the 325 anniversary of the foundation of the printing house from Şumuleu Ciuc. The printing house was founded during the principality of Mihály Apafi (1661–690). At this time there were functioning eight other protestant printing houses (in Sárospatak, Cluj, Sibiu, Braşov, Alba Iulia, Sebeş, Keresd, Debrecen) but this was the first Catholic one in the principality. The biggest Catholic printing house of the country in that time was owned by the Jesuit University from Trnava (Nagyszombat), which was one of the most outstanding printing houses of the time thanks to the number of its prints and publications. Until 1726 the printing house from Şumuleu was the only Catholic workshop in Transylvania. Its foundation and operation were in close relationship with the consolidation of the Catholicism and the spread of the Counter – Reformation. It was founded by the Franciscan János Kájoni, who obtained the necessary permission for the foundation from Rome. According to the letter of the Holy Congregation from the 22nd of June 1676 the Franciscans from Şumuleu had the right to publish the Latin grammar of Aelius Donatus and Emmanuel Alvarus, the family letters of Cicero and the reckoning table. The first known publication that is important also from literary historical point of view is the Cantionale Catholicum hymn – book from 1676 edited by János Kájoni. This is a popular song collection that was used all over Transylvania and Moldova . During the revolution from 1848 – 1849 the workshop was occupied by the revolutionaries, who printed here several proclamations and one of the newspapers of the Hungarian War of Independence, the Hadi Lap (War Journal). The newspaper tried to serve the revolution by informing the locals about the international - and battle - events. After the suppression of the revolution the monks were punished for the publishing of the proclamations and the newspaper: the Austrian military forces seized the workshop and they made the monastery to pay 5000 Forint war indemnity. The book – binding workshop started to function at the beginning of the 17th century. The oldest cover is known form 1644 – 1650, made for Marcus Bandinus. The workshop was functioning from 1676 until the end of the 19th century together with the printing – house. The books that were published in the printing – house were all bound in the Franciscan book – binding workshop, but external orders were also carried out. The covers from Şumuleu are usually decorated with gold tooling. In the 17th century the book covers were decorated in old – Renaissance style. At the beginning of the 18th century they went on with the old style, but from the middle of the century they started to decorate the covers in rococo – style. The 17th – 18th centuries represent the golden age of the workshop, which was followed by a decline in style and quality: the covers were made of cheap half – leather bindings or of paper. Most probably the Franciscans operated the workshop until 1900. We know fifteen prints from the 17th century, eighty from the 18th century. In the first one hundred years the workshop functioned in one of the cells of the monastery. In the 1760s it moved into a new building. In 1778 a new building was built for the printing – house, which was attached to the Western part of the cloister. At the beginning of the 20th century the printing – house stopped working, and in 1924 the building was pulled down. In 1910 the printing – house itself was moved with all its installation to the Franciscan monastery from Cluj. The complete installation of the former printing – house could be seen in an exhibition in 1926 that was organised in the monastery from Cluj. Our exhibition presents 125 prints and book – bindings: prints from 1676 – 1700, textbooks from the 18th – 19th centuries, the works of Franciscans, prayer – books, hymn – books, the publications of different kinds of religious societies, legal books, etc. You can also see some parts of the installation of the former publishing – house: the tools of the book – binding workshop, the copperplates of the illustrations and icons, etc.

The Golden Rose (Rosa d'Oro) is a special gift from the popes, which is nowadays given to Mary's shrines. This honour was presented by Pope Francis in Șumuleu Ciuc/Csíksomlyó on June 1, 2019, in honour of the Virgin Mary. It is currently the only papal rose in the Carpathian Basin. Originally the popes gave the golden roses to persons of great merit serving the Church. The custom was first mentioned in 1049, in the context that the Pope had donated the rose to an eminent official. Later the kings received the honour, then different bodies, and in the 13-14th century it was given to churches. The first woman to take over was Joanna I of Naples in 1368. From the 17th century onward, the Pope predominantly bestowed the honour on women of royal families for their virtues, and for their church service. Since the mid-20th century, the Pope has honoured with the Golden Rose the Queen of Heaven, the Virgin Mary, at the most important shrines of Mary. Pope Paul VI awarded a church in Bethlehem in 1963, the Fatima in 1965 and the Guadalupe Shrine in 1966. Among others, John Paul II awarded the Golden Roses to the Shrine of Mary in Czestochowa, Loreto and Lourdes. Pope Benedict XVI honoured most of the Mary's shrines when he visited them (including Aparecida and Mariazell, the Immaculate Conception Church in Washington, the Nostra Signora di Bonaria in Cagliari, the Rosary of Pompeii, and the Basilica of the Rosary). Pope Francis also donated Golden Roses to the Mary's shrines in Fatima, Turin, Guadalupe and Czestochowa. The Golden Rose is a symbol of joy and love, a symbol of Christ, according to old ceremonies, and thus its giving is not only a simple acknowledgment but also a mission: the honoured ones must bring Christ into the world. The rose given by Pope Francis to the Virgin Mary of Șumuleu Ciuc/Csíksomlyó is made of silver with 24 karat gold plated stems. It is about 84 cm tall and weighs 1,200 grams. The Golden Rose was placed next to the statue of Virgin Mary, which having a height of 2.27 meters is the largest votive wooden statue in the world.

The ethnographic exhibition presents the rural popular life - sometimes encountered even today - of Ciuc (Csík) at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. You can walk around the specific everyday living-spaces of Ciuc (Csík) with the guidance of the characteristic objects of the region. The tour begins with the distant world of the alpine pasture fields, followed by the workshops of woodworking crafts such as the carpenters, the joiners and the wheelers. Next, you find yourself in a carriage shed where you can get acquainted with the tools of agricultural life. Finally, you come to know the specific objects of female homecraft placed in a cosily furnished interior inhabited by three generations of women.

An information point with an exhibition hall about human-bear coexistence at Băile Tușnad/Tusnádfürdő for tourists and locals set up as part of the project entitled “WatchBear & AdvoCity – bears and people for a common future”. For reservations (maximum 15 people), further details and to book a visit, please call +40 743 775 213.

The restoration and rescue of the values and treasures of our cultural heritance are noble tasks. Good manual skills, patience, humility and respect are essential in the process of the restoration. The restorer has to be prepared from scientific, historical, cultural and artistic point of view. The documentation, testing of materials, sterilization, dry wet cleaning, neutralization and completion of the missing parts of the exhibited objects were all made by our restorers. Usually the whole process of restoration was written down and documented with photos and video in order for our visitors to get acquainted not only with the exhibited objects, but also with the process of their restoration. You can see in this exhibition manuscripts from the 13th – 17th centuries, old books (bibles, psalm–books, etc.) of the 15th–19th centuries, paper and parchment charters from the 18th – 20th centuries, statues, icons, crucifixes, chasubles from the 17th–20th centuries. The objects made of paper and leather are restored by Éva Benedek, the statues and paintings are restored by Zsuzsa Mara. The restoration of the textile objects is the result of their work.

3 kilometres from Porumbenii Mari/Nagygalambfalva, on the “Várfele” hillside, rising above the valley of the “Vágás” stream, there was a castle in ancient times and in the Árpád era. In the 13th and 14th centuries it served as a refuge for the villagers. On the banks of the “Vágás” stream, the locals joined forces to build an imaginary replica of the former fortress in 2023. The building, called “Várféle” (meaning: castle-like), is located next to the Spring of the Sad Princess and also serves as an observation tower. The building incorporates the style of the old church forts, castles and medieval fortifications of Szeklerland. A small fish pond has been created nearby.  The “Várféle” can be visited any time for free. According to legend, the castle on the “Várfele” hillside, whose remains are now only relics and artefacts, was built by Prince Csaba (in Hungarian mythology, the youngest son of Attila, King of the Huns) and left to one of his daughters. From the tears of Csaba's orphaned granddaughter sprang the spring that is now called the Spring of the Sad Princess. Another legend tells that there was a lake near the castle, at the bottom of which a huge white snake holds fabulous treasures.  Photos: Mihálydeák Antal

The Caracău Viaduct is a railway viaduct on the Miercurea Ciuc - Ghimeș section, which was put into operation on 18 October 1897. The viaduct was completely destroyed in 1944 as a result of World War II battles. From December 1944 until 12 February 1945, the Romanian engineers built a provisional, completely wooden (3,600 cubic meters) wooden viaduct. This was a unique performance in the history of railway constructions. In parallel, a new viaduct was built, and it was put into operation on 14 September 1946. The new construction of the viaduct was the largest railway bridge made of reinforced concrete in Romania. The total length of the viaduct is 264 m, the vault has an opening of 100 m and the arrow is 37 m. The width of the vault is 6.50 m at the top and 10 m at the base. The vault section has 2.5 m at the top and 4.8 m at the base. Photo: Bartalis Zsombor

Learn the secrets of Miercurea Ciuc's beloved brew at this factory tour, 12km south of Miercurea Ciuc, through tastings and traditional Hungarian beer snacks. After a few sips, you too will be singing the praises of the Harghita Mountains' spring water and quality hops. Offer 1: 125 g CSÍKI chips Price: 55 RON/person Offer 2: Price: 110 RON/person Offer 3: Price: 120 RON/person For children: Factory visit and technology presentation Chicken bites with French fries and sauce Price: 50 RON/person Csíki Chips Factory entrance fee: 30 RON/person Booking: +40755 030 895, latogatokozpont@csikisor.hu IMPORTANT! Registration is considered a definite booking after confirmation by phone or e-mail.   We want your visit to be a lasting memory, so you have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs related to Csíki Beer and Csíki Chips in our gift shop. We offer also: • Visiting and tasting tour at "Csíki Csipsz"