Discover Săvădisla: History, Nature and Culture

Săvădisla was first mentioned in writing in 1285 under the name S. Ladislai. The present-day Reformed Church of Săvădisla was consecrated in 1889; stones from the former church were used in its construction. The village church already existed during the reign of King Imre, also known as Emerik, from 1196 to 1204.

History

Săvădisla lies along a former Roman road that connected the valleys of the Mureș, Arieș and Someșul Mic rivers. The municipality’s ecclesiastical history also includes the Roman Catholic Church in Vlaha, which already existed in 1285. It preserves fragmentary 14th-century wall paintings. In this way, the municipality brings together early written records, medieval sacred art and the architectural history of the present-day Reformed Church.

Culture

The Călata Regional Museum in Săvădisla was founded in 1967. Its collection comprises approximately 400 objects, while the exhibition presents local history and domestic artefacts. The museum therefore focuses both on the development of the area and on objects from everyday life. Due to ongoing restoration work, the Călata Regional Museum is currently not open to visitors.

Since 1990, Săvădisla has hosted the “Szent László” choir festival every year on Saint Ladislaus Day. In Vlaha, Arkhai Sculpture Park displays large-scale hay sculptures by Ernő Bartha, as well as a small gallery featuring his bronze sculptures. The park hosts cultural events several times a year. Casa Monica in Lita houses a collection of traditional objects originating mainly from the region, as well as old objects that are mostly local. Together, these places reflect different cultural facets of the municipality: ecclesiastical heritage, music, contemporary sculpture and regional everyday culture.

Nature

The “Pajiștile de la Liteni–Săvădisla” Natura 2000 protected area extends mostly across land within the municipality of Săvădisla; part of it lies between Săvădisla and Lita. Covering 24 square kilometres, the area was registered in 2016 under number ROSCI0427 and consists of two separate sections. The protected area includes five protected habitats distributed across these two sections.

The protected area primarily serves to protect four rare species: the fire-bellied toad (Bombina variegata), the Danube clouded yellow (Colias myrmidone), the grasshopper species Sophya stysi and the dusky large blue (Maculinea teleius). The scientific names supplement the English names and make the individual protected species clearly distinguishable.

The hilly area around Săvădisla is rich in fossilised nummulites from the bed of a prehistoric sea. Locally, these stones are known as “bănuți” or “banii Sfântului Ladislau” and are associated with legends.

Other places: Frata, Săcuieu, Apahida, Dej, Petreștii De Jos, Poieni, Turda, Maia.

Activities

A lookout point built in 2023 is located on Kapsa Hill above Săvădisla. The rocks around Cetatea Liteni offer climbing routes for beginners and advanced climbers. The road from Săvădisla to Plopi is considered a preferred cycling route. This means that the area offers a lookout point, climbing routes of varying difficulty and a preferred cycling route, both in the village and its surroundings.

For the higher-level travel overview: Cluj-Napoca.