Borzont: Wetland, Pilgrimage Route and Szekler Gate

Nature and Landscape

Borzont lies in the valley of the Nagy-Borzontpatak. From here, the DN13B leads towards Bucin over the eastern slope of the Gurghiu Mountains. The road runs through a wooded landscape, connecting the village with the nearby mountain region. The wooded section of road is therefore spatially connected with the valley and the mountain foothills, without these landscape forms becoming a single area.

Northwest of Borzont lies the Borzont area, a wetland fed by the Borzontul Mare and Borzontul Mic streams. Achillea impatiens occurs in this area; it is considered the only site where this species is found in Romania. The Borzont area is also connected with the “Depresiunea și Munții Giurgeului” SPA. Watercourses, wet areas and the distinctive plant species give this area its own character within the surroundings of Borzont.

At the border of Borzont lies Borzonti-Nyíres. The botanical reserve covers 20 hectares and extends along the DN13B. Its peat layer becomes thinner towards the mountain foothills. Thus, the area around the village brings together a valley landscape, wooded slopes, wetland and botanically protected areas. Its location along the DN13B and the decreasing thickness of the peat layer describe both the extent of the reserve and the transition from the valley towards the foothills.

Church and Tradition

Borzont has a branch church dedicated to Saint Stephen. A decorated Szekler Gate stands next to the Roman Catholic church. The church’s altar was brought here from the Chapel of Saint Stephen in the village church of Gyergyóal, thereby preserving a specific connection with another ecclesiastical building. The church, gate and altar are therefore among the visible architectural details that characterise the village beyond its landscape.

In Borzont, 20 August is dedicated to Saint Stephen. The church, altar, gate and this calendar date together represent the religious and traditional connections visible locally.

Pilgrimage Routes

The 120-kilometre Via Maria pilgrimage route runs through Gyergyószék and also passes through Borzont. The route can be travelled on foot, on horseback or by bicycle. Its length and the different means of travel characterise it as an extensive route with several possible ways to take part. Borzont is an explicitly named location along this route, while the route as a whole extends across Gyergyószék.

Via Mariæ is a spiritual tourism pilgrimage route. In Borzont, the religious tradition of pilgrimage routes thus intersects with the landscape of the Nagy-Borzontpatak Valley.

Horse-Drawn Wagon Programme and Gastro Picnic

The meeting point for the horse-drawn wagon tour is in the car park of the bear observatory in Borzont. This car park is monitored by camera. The horse-drawn wagon programme includes a gastro picnic with, among other things, cheese, zakouska, homemade oven-baked bread and vegetables. The meeting point and the foods mentioned are therefore specific components of this programme.

More Destinations

If you would like to view additional destinations for your travel planning besides Borzont, you can find Lacu Roșu, Sândominic, Subcetate, Mugeni, Borsec, Sâncrai, Voşlăbeni and Senetea here.

To the overarching travel overview: Harghita.