Siculeni: Memorial Sites, Szekler Traditions and Landscapes

The municipality of Siculeni encompasses different types of landscape: depressions, hills and mountains with extensive forests and natural meadows, as well as mineral resources. The elevations in this municipality range between 550 and 800 metres. Forests cover 1,270 hectares.

Landscape and Nature

The municipality has an especially species-rich flora and fauna of outstanding scientific value; its biodiversity attracts many tourists. As part of a programme to promote tourism, a forest museum was developed in Siculeni. Thus, in addition to the open natural meadows, the extensive forest areas are also defining landscape elements in the municipality.

History and Culture

The Zöld-Péter School was built in 1885 and represents the introduction of regular schooling in Siculeni. In the list of historic monuments for Siculeni, the school is recorded under house number 225. Its year of construction connects the history of schooling in the locality with a specific historic building and its entry in the list of historic monuments.

The Siculicidium Monument commemorates the massacre of 7 January 1764, in which Austrian imperial troops killed more than 200 Szekler martyrs. In the register of historic monuments of Harghita County, the Siculicidium Monument is listed as a historic monument. It was inaugurated on 8 October 1905.

The Jézus Szíve Church was consecrated in 1923 in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Siculicidium Chapel was consecrated in summer 2017. Together with the monument and the Zöld-Péter School, this means that buildings from different periods stand alongside one another: the historic commemoration of 1764, the school from 1885, the church from 1923 and the chapel from 2017 are among the cultural reference points mentioned.

Festivals and Traditions

The Siculicidium commemoration ceremony takes place every year on 7 January in Siculeni. The annual “Thousand Szekler Girls” gathering takes place on 4 July in Siculeni and celebrates the traditional costume as well as the customs and traditions of the Hungarians in Central Transylvania. The two dates have different focuses during the year: in January, the emphasis is on historical commemoration; in July, on traditional clothing and the Hungarian traditions of Central Transylvania.

The Onion Festival is an annual event in Siculeni. The Onion Trail is the annual centrepiece of the Onion Festival on Saturday and comprises six stations offering food, wine and music. The six stations combine culinary offerings with musical accompaniment during the festival day.

Traditional crafts associated with Siculeni include wood carving and the production of traditional Szekler gates. Kürtőskalács is considered the best-known dessert in the area around Siculeni. Crafts and cuisine thus complement the customs mentioned in the festival calendar with specific forms of local creativity and a well-known sweet dish.

Commemorative Hike

The Siculicidium commemorative hike in Siculeni was held for the seventh time and combines historical remembrance with a community and tourism experience. The main route of the Siculicidium commemorative hike is approximately 15 kilometres long and has an elevation gain of 530 metres. The approximate route length and elevation gain give the described hike a clearly defined scope, while its commemorative connection remains linked to the history of the Siculicidium Monument.

Transport Connections

The municipality of Siculeni is crossed by national road DN12 between Brașov and Toplița; at the same time, this road is designated as European route DE578. Siculeni is considered an important railway junction.

Other places in the same destination area include Izvoare, Borsec, Cotormani, Lunca De Jos, Cozmeni, Baile Tusnad, Ciceu and Cristuru Secuiesc.

For the higher-level travel overview: Harghita.