Margau: History, Glazier’s Trade and Gumuțeasca

Mărgău is a mountain commune at the foot of the Vlădeasa Mountains and forms part of the Apuseni Mountains. The Mărgăuța River crosses Mărgău from south to north. A distinctive trace of the local working world is Gumuțeasca: the linguist Romulus Todoran studied it and described it as an independent rural occupational jargon. Individual expressions from Gumuțeasca can still be heard today in conversations among the residents of Mărgău commune.

Other destinations in the same wider area include Someșu Rece, Suatu, Petreștii De Jos, Satu Lung, Smida, Ciurila, Câmpia Turzii and Huedin.

History

The village of Mărgău dates back to the year 1200. Mărgău’s present settlement site has been inhabited since the 14th century. The Church of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel in Mărgău was built between 1804 and 1810 and is a historic monument. A stone wall around the church and cemetery of Mărgău was built in 1735. The church and surrounding wall therefore point to different construction periods within the recorded history of the locality.

The Church of the “Sfinții Arhangheli” is made of hewn stone and river stone. Its bell tower was built from beams, while the nave and porch are covered with sheet metal. Hewn stone and river stone define the church building, the bell tower stands apart through its wooden construction, and the sheet-metal roofs of the nave and porch form the upper structural elements.

Crafts

Women from the Mărgău area were known for producing high-quality textiles and traditional costume pieces. Since the beginning of the 20th century, itinerant glazier’s work was carried out on a large scale in Mărgău. Glaziers from Mărgău travelled throughout the country and earned their living by selling glass. Textile production and traditional costume pieces thus existed alongside an occupation in which glaziers offered their goods far beyond Mărgău.

The glaziers from Mărgău invented Gumuțeasca so that they could communicate during price negotiations and at work without customers understanding them. The occupational jargon was therefore designed for communication in everyday working life and during business discussions. Individual expressions can still be heard today in conversations among the residents.

Routes

The Bánffy K60/70 cycling tour passes through Mărgău and is rated moderately difficult. In the wider regional surroundings of Mărgău, the Răchițele circular trail is an easy 12.5-kilometre loop with 450 metres of elevation gain and a walking time of 4 to 5 hours. In the wider regional surroundings of Mărgău, the circular trail passes through the settlement of Răchițele and follows the Valea Stanciului valley to the Cascada Vălul Miresei waterfall.

Before setting out on a cycling tour or hike, current trail conditions and route-finding information should be checked. For a hike with a fixed time frame, the available walking time is also part of the preparation. Routes with elevation gain require separate day planning; for a cycling tour, the current condition of the route is an additional practical point to consider during preparation. Such checks are best carried out immediately before departure.

Getting There

Mărgău commune can be reached from Cluj via DN 1 (E 60). The connection to the national road is via DJ 108C, which passes through Mărgău.

For the wider travel overview: Cluj-Napoca.