Miniature History

Today I'd like to show you the rest of the miniatures I photographed at the Miniature Transylvania park about five weeks ago. It was a fantastic experience, but the real knowledge came after, when I got to sort the photos out and post about what I saw that day. I had to learn about each miniature, research and read as much as possible about the history of those buildings.

I knew quite a lot about Transylvania's history, but seeing these fortresses and castles it became obvious that in those days safety was the most important aspect when building a fortress or a castle and I'm not talking about safety measures by our 21st century standards. Back in those days, most of the regions came under attack all the time, so building walls around the church or castle was essential.

Jesus Chapel - Székelydvarhely (Odorheiu Secuiesc)

The Jesus Chapel was built in the 16th century, and its square coffered ceiling was made in 1677. Its defensive wall was probably built in 1771.

According to our current knowledge, the Jesus Chapel is mentioned in three documents from the 1600s. The earliest historical source is from 1613 in the description of an Easter procession in Udvarhely. "1613. on the 1st day of Easter, prayer leader György Boldizsár made a light cross out of a dry pine tree (...) so that the (...) would go to the chapel of Jesus (...). source

Good news, the chapel is still standing and it is in good condition. Unfortunately we could not visit this monument, so it is on my list for a later date in case I'm passing by again or decide to take a historical tour.

Szentkereszty-kastély - Árkos (Arcuș)

After 1945, the castle was nationalized. After that, for a while, the orphanage and then the school of agricultural machinery were housed, after which the agricultural association was moved into the building.

From 1982, it became the property of the Romanian Communist Party and the building was reserved for President Nicolae Ceaușescu. In the mansion furnished as a presidential suite, the furniture was replaced and the interior of the building was equipped with new decorative elements.

After the regime change, the monument building came under the management of the Ministry of Culture, so it regained its former purpose and became the seat of a cultural center. source

Nationalizing these castles and big properties was a very common thing in Romania. Sadly, so many properties, historical buildings, monuments were destroyed like that. Some in purpose to erase historical traces. This one fortunately survived those times and it's still standing, restored to some extent to its original condition.

Gaál Manor House - Dálnok (Dalnic)

In one of Transylvania’s most beautiful village, the picturesque Dálnok, the Gaál Mansion awaits it’s visitors with a history that goes back more than 150 years. The historycal relique has been renovated in 2014 and every bit of it’s structure bears the motives of the prior epoch with a mesmerizing, welcoming environment. The comfort is provided by the elegance of the XIX. Century blended with an utmost modernity! source

Another story with happy ending. This house was built in 1844, renovated in 2014 and now serves as a mansion and can give accommodation to 26 people. You can click the link below to see the interior and book your rooms in case you decide to spend a couple of nights there. I love it when the interior aspect is kept intact, restored and the interior is redesigned to meet the 21st century standards, without destroying the old style.

Mikes Castle - Zabola (Zabala)

One of the fine examples of the types of manor houses in Tříszék is the Mikes Castle in Zabola, a three-story square building with a porch and a high tent roof. The castle is surrounded by a huge English garden, which is decorated with walkways, terraces, flower beds, and lakes. The Swiss house visible in the garden dates back to the 19th and 20th centuries. It was modeled after the 19th century Alpine wooden houses. source

This is another story with happy ending as the castle is not only still standing but it's functioning as a hotel. You can check out their website here. I'm not sure it will be this, but I'm going to try out one of these beauties one day. Let's see how it feels to spend the night in such an old, historical building. My list is getting longer and longer, not to mention the costs :D.

Wooden Church - Dióshalom (Surdesti)

I've never seen such a small church with such a tall tower. According to the data on the label, the tower is 54m tall and it is considered one of the tallest in Europe. Started as a Greek Catholic church, today it's still functioning as Greek Catholic church and it is an Unesco World Heritage Site since 1999. This beauty is also on my list. They say the murals inside the church date back to 1783.

Bethlen Castle - Árokalja (Arcalia)

I was a bit surprised to see those towers as this style is not common in my country, if you don't count those romma houses that are built to attract attention but are not traditional. There's an explanation of that.

The castle was built around 1850, by the order of Count Bethlen Balázs. The land where the castle was built has a surface of 16.5 hectares and it includes 3 buildings and an arboretum. In the arboretum there are 150 species of native and exotic plants. The main building was built about 150 years ago and it is the only castle in Transylvania which presents elements of the Moorish and the Byzantine style at the same time.

The castle from Arcalia was nationalized in 1947 and it was functioning as the village’s shop, after that as the stationing point of agricultural machines and then, until 1963, it was used as accommodation for the pioneers’ camps. Then it became the property of Babeș-Bolyai University. The Biological and Geological Research Centre was functioning here for 3 decades and many students practiced here during summer.

The Centre became the location of many scientific symposiums, spectacles, creative camps, summer courses and, besides all this, visitors are also welcome. Visitors are not allowed access to the castle’s main building, but they can explore the arboretum. source

At least it's in good condition and used for proper purposes.

Monastery - Remete (Rameti)

Râmeț Monastery is one of the oldest monastic settlements in Transylvania. Raised in the Trascău Mountains, next to the Geoagiului river (in the language of Germisara) in a place called by the Mocans "Valea Mănăstirii", the little church dedicated to Izvorul Tămăduirii carries many secrets hidden in its flimsy walls. It is precisely known that the third layer of frescoes on the interior walls was painted by Mihu from Crișul Alb in 1377. This element makes the place one of the few Romanian stone churches that can be dated, perhaps, to the 13th century. source

This monastery had a sad past, just like the others as communists were trying to suppress religion and religious gathering, so it was closed 1959. However, the nuns went back to the monastery, making carpets, rugs, that was a cover story it seems. Before that, it was destroyed a couple of times and rebuilt.

Crow Castle - Sztána (Stana)

The building contains the architectural style characteristic to Kós Károly, which is inspired from folk architecture. The ground floor of the castle has no plaster, it is a masonry of broken stones, while the upper-floor is made out of wood. The building has gable roof and its characteristic tower, with rounded ground floor, is covered with shingles. source

Unbelievable how many of these historical buildings (all of them basically) got destroyed at one point or another, some multiple times over the years, centuries. This one got burglarized, looted the villagers in 1944. According to the source above mentioned it's in private hands now, so if you visit, you can only see it from outside. But at least it's cared for.

The Trip Hammer

Wesselényi Castle - Zsibó (Jubou)

I've heard about this castle but have never visited it.

The first owner of the castle, Ferenc Wesselényi, received Hadad and Zsibo, twenty-six villages and the title of baron, in 1584 as a follower of István Báthory and a distinguished chamberlain. Construction of the building, considered one of the most beautiful baroque castles in Transylvania, began in 1778. The works lasted more than thirty years. source

When you think of the fact that the castle's constructions took 30 years, you say that's a long time, but how much time passed since 1584? Compared to that, 30 years is nothing :) Anyway, thank God, the castle is still standing today. many of these historical buildings were transformed in schools during the communism (if not occupied by the communist party), this as well. At least an activity that does not endanger the building.

Pokol Castle - Borpatak (Valea Borcutului)

I was a bit surprised when I saw the name of the castle as pokol in Hungarian means hell, yet it was translated still Pokol. This led me to believe and reading the label confirmed it that Pokol is the name of the first owner, thus it's not translatable. Commissioned by Elek Pokol and built in 1903. Elek Pokol owned a gold mine and legend has it that some of the gold from his mine ended up in Queen Mary's crown. Today it's the property of Bistrita-Nasaud Country Council and has suffered substantial damages over the years. Sad. It's a nice castle with a very interesting architecture.

I've been posting about these beauties lately and just by looking up these buildings gives you an idea about the level of cultural heritage Transylvania has. No wonder tourists are coming to visit from all around the world. I'm determined to visit as many of these beauties as possible. One day :)

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