Postcards from Transylvania
31 of us are participating in the Transylvanian History camp with the 10th grade students of the groups Szeged 2 and Kaposvár 2, taking place between July 14-20. The journey started well, at noon we were welcomed with pizza by the group in Szeged which made the long journey to Torockó much easier, which is the first stop of our programs.
In addition, to the two mentors, there are six junior mentors, and we will help make the programs happen in the best mood possible. Our tasks include will informing about our trips on the website, additionally, we will be hosting historical and fun quizzes, teambuilding activities and we can not wait to see the joyful conversations it will bring.
After our arrival, our camp leader, Péter Mikics described the rules of the camp and its’ diverse programs. Our hosts welcomed us with delicious dinner and comfortable rooms.
Needless to say, after taking our rooms – or more specifically, after “dropping” our luggages off – the sport loving part of the group watched the UEFA final game together.
Tomorrow we will begin our day with a hike, we will conquer the famous Székelykő (despite the hot weather), in the afternoon we will visit the castle in Torockószentgyörgy. We will visit the Torda Cleft as well as the salt mine. We can’t wait to go boating on the Red Lake, and visit the Segesvár-Berethalma fortified church. Foreseeably, the chimney cake making will be the favourite program of many campers, after that we will go around the Korond Hill by horse carriage and have lunch at local families. We will be posting on the website of our everyday adventures, in the form of postcards from Transylvania. After our long journey, everybody is feeling tired, but we can’t wait to see what the upcoming week has to offer.
On the first day of the camp, Monday morning, we hiked to the Torockószentgyörgy Castle. Although the heat and the long journey made progress difficult, most of the team persistently climbed the hill. Although only the ruins are left from the castle, this did not detract from the experience. We were presented with a picturesque view from the top of the mountain that impressed everyone. After a short rest, we agreed that the difficult journey was worth it for the beautiful view.
We arrived back at the accommodation tired, where a refreshing lunch and rest awaited us. Everyone spent their free time in their own way: some enthusiastic young people played football, others played board games, some played ping-pong or simply talked. During the afternoon, one-half of the team explored Torockó on foot, which is a village inhabited mostly by Hungarians. They toured the center of the village, where they admired the uniqueness of the local architecture and the harmonious lifestyle of the village.
The other half of the team embarked on a heroic endeavor and climbed 600 meters to the top of Székelykő. Those who completed this challenge received a certificate bearing their name in the local pub, making them honorary Szeklers. The whole day was full of experiences, and everyone was proud of their performance. In the evening, after the joint dinner, we recalled the events of the day and talked cheerfully, sharing our impressions of the tour and the village.
If every day will be as good as today, I think for many of us, the camp will be labeled as unforgettable.
On the second day of the camp, we visited the fascinating Turda Salt Mine. Our guide provided an in-depth account of the mine’s history and operation during the Middle Ages when salt extraction was crucial to the local economy. We learned about the significant role of salt in trade and daily life.
We then explored the most important parts of the mine, such as the impressive “Staircase of the Rich,” used by nobles and dignitaries, and the Franz Joseph Gallery. During our walk through the mine, we marveled at the natural beauty of the salt walls and the mining tools left behind by the miners.
After the mine exploration, we had some free time to visit the lower lake within the mine, where visitors can enjoy boating.
Our next stop was the stunning Turda Gorge, where we embarked on an exciting hike. We navigated through high cliffs and winding trails. Despite the intense heat, every member of the team persevered and successfully completed the hike.
At the end of the hike, a delicious lunch awaited us. After the strenuous trek, everyone appreciated the hearty meal, and we had the opportunity to rest and recharge.
We then proceeded to Kápolnásfalu, which would serve as the camp’s base for the next few days. Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the locals and treated to a tasty dinner. Despite the long and tiring day, everyone felt great and eagerly anticipated the adventures of the following day. We ended the day with pleasant conversations and laughter, looking forward to the next day’s activities.
We started the third day in Korond with a horse carriage ride, guided by Pál Zoltán. In the morning, we visited Tófalvi Zita, who makes syrups, jams, and tinctures from wild herbs. We learned about the effects of various herbs and their uses for different ailments. We also had the chance to taste some herbal specialties.
Next, we had lunch with a local family, where we enjoyed homemade jams, cheeses, and meat products.
Our next program was to explore the Fenyőkút Peat Bog. We learned how these bogs form and even picked some wild blueberries.
After the horses took us back to the bus, we traveled to the village, where we learned about the history of chimney cake. Everyone had the chance to make their own chimney cake with Lőrincz Gábor, whose family has been making chimney cakes for generations. We spent some free time strolling around the village’s main street.
In the evening, the camp counselors organized a quiz for the campers, covering various topics. Three teams emerged as winners and were rewarded with gummy candies.
On the following day, we visited Lázár Castle in Gyergyószárhegy. Our guide provided a detailed account of the castle’s history, explaining its construction and significant role in the region’s history. After the presentation, we were free to explore the castle on our own.
We climbed the lookout tower, which offered a breathtaking view of the surrounding area. We also visited several exhibitions related to Szeklerland, providing insight into the local culture and history.
Our next stop was the Bicaz Gorge, where we walked along the local boutiques beside the main road through the gorge. We hiked a bit along the stream, crossed the “Bridge of the Hungarians,” the last bridge built by Hungarians between Moldavia and Harghita County, which once played an essential role in trade. The braver ones crossed the swinging bridge connecting the two sides of the stream.
After exploring the Bicaz Gorge, we visited the Red Lake in Gyergyószentmiklós. We took a break here to enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the lake and also had lunch.
With the day’s program concluded, we returned to our accommodation.
On the last day of the camp, we visited the Jesus Christ Statue. This statue also serves as a viewpoint, offering a beautiful panoramic view from above. Notably, it is the tallest Jesus statue in Eastern Europe, originally designed and built as a pilgrimage site.
Our next stop was Sighisoara, where we explored the city center and its old town, learning about its history. In the afternoon, we had free time to further explore the old town.
Following the city tour, we visited the Sighisoara-Berethalom Fortified Church. We explored the ruins, learning about their history and unique features of the buildings, and visited the church at the center, recognizing the distinct style of Catholic churches. After the guided tour, we had time to explore the fortified church and discover its every corner on our own.
In the evening, we arrived at our accommodation, where we were greeted with a delicious dinner after a long day. Following dinner, a local dance group visited us to showcase traditional Szekler festive costumes and perform well-known folk dances, inviting enthusiastic group members to join in.
As the week’s eventful activities drew to a close, we spent the evening playing board games, ping-pong, and reflecting on the past days’ experiences.
Lilla Fekete és Eszter Sárközi