Dear traveler!
What can a small Hungarian town with 35000 inhabitants in the middle of Romania and Szeklerland, at the foot of the Harghita Mountains, nestled in the upper valley of Nagyküküllő offer you? Each village has its specific image and atmosphere, which is constantly formed by the dreams and the results of its inhabitants or simply the travelers. The area of Székelyudvarhely has been inhabited since ancient times. This was indicated by the stone tools, pottery, bronze hoes or objects from the early Iron Age found during the archaeological excavations. The Romans built a castrum here, which was destroyed during the migration of the peoples. Today, the so-called “Castle Attacked by Szeklers”, built between 1562-1565 to subdue the Szeklers, stands on this place, which is only a ruin today.
The first mention of the settlement is in the papal tithe list from 1333, and already in 1485 it is mentioned as a town in a document of the Voivode of Transylvania Stephen Báthory. It was elevated to the rank of a town by the national Szekler assemblies and by the High Court, where judgments valid for the whole Szeklerland were passed. This is probably the reason why the settlement was later often called the “Mother City of the Szeklers”.
Despite the turbulent times, wars, empire and government changes, famous schools, public buildings, factories, railroads, cozy houses, restaurants, coffee houses were built here. The Transylvanian religious tolerance is announced by the neighboring Roman Catholic, Protestant, Unitarian, Orthodox and the Neo-Protestant churches built at the end of the 20th century.
In the words of a former writer of the city – Sándor Tomcsa – the city had all the capabilities and infrastructure plans to become a big city. Perhaps this gives its charm: the small town life, the rich history, excellent natural conditions, diverse and colorful student life, a lively cultural life, the beauty of the Harghita Mountains, the nearby and attractive thermal baths – Szejke, Homoródfürdő – the delicious cuisine of the Szekler, the Pálinka (plum brandy), the Baumstriezel and the hospitality of the Szekler.
Csaba Gidó