What Harghita is known for

The capital city of Harghita County, Miercurea Ciuc, features several attractions. Among them, Petőfi Street is the town's primary pedestrian thoroughfare, hosting various eateries and cafes. During summer, the street reportedly tends to attract people for leisure activities. Furthermore, Miercurea Ciuc is home to the Șumuleu Ciuc Baroque church and the Mikó Castle, built in the late Renaissance style. Initially built in the 17th century under Ferenc Mikó Hídvégi's direction, much was destroyed in 1661 during the Tatar raids. Reconstructed in the 18th century, it now houses the Csík Székely Museum. The city hall from 1886, the Courthouse, and the Millennium Church from 2001 are among other architecturally significant sites.[3]

Situated in Transylvania's eastern part, the Szekler Salt Region reportedly received its name on account of an abundance of mineral resources. Thus, the area bears an extensive history of salt mining, tracing back to Roman times. However, the Praid salt mine was initiated in 1762 and eventually evolved into a treatment center in the 1960s. People can currently explore the Salt Strait, Salt Back, Csigadomb, and other geological sights in the salt mine's vicinity.[6] The underground visitor area, known as "Level 50," lies 120 meters beneath the surface, with bus transportation available to visitors. At Level 50, an array of amenities replicates a village, namely lighting, WiFi, a children's playground, creative spaces, an ecumenical chapel, a Coffee Shop, a 3D Cinema, and a natural drugstore. Additionally, upon exiting the visiting level, people can explore the "Iosif Mine" Lookout Point, which also offers wine tasting and several restaurants. Annually, the salt mine receives around 400,000 visitors, with the peak visiting season being summer. Another attraction during the summer season is a saltwater swimming pool.[7] 

Beyond the salt mine and its attractions, the village of Praid also features Praid's Salt Mountain, covering 66 hectares in the southwestern part of Praid's spa resort. The mountain's current appearance results from the combined forces of Corund Brooks' erosion and human influence. Along the Corund Brooks valley lies the salt gorge, featuring limestone-like formations, salt valleys, caves, cliffs, and water run-offs, all encompassed within this safeguarded area. The presence of Corund Brook crossing the salt mountain led to the creation of white salt cliffs and steep walls, forming the local landscape.[8]

People seeking outdoor attractions can also visit the Borsec Ice Cave, found within the Caunul Rotund Hill's karst region. Karst formations, including the Ice Cave, were created by water over time. The Ice Cave, situated in the Gâtul Chibei mountain region, is formed within a travertine grotto, featuring a vertical fissure of 50 meters in height, with an accessible length of 60 meters, showcasing frozen stalactites and stalagmites that tend to melt in spring. The cave is accessible to tourists by a marked route starting from the resort's edge near Mofeta.[9]

Geography

Harghita's geography encompasses a considerable portion of the central Eastern Carpathians, a segment of the Curvature Carpathians, and the southeastern edge of the Transylvanian Sub-Carpathians. To the southwest lies the sub-Carpathian hills zone, crisscrossed by the watercourses of the Târnava Rivers. Over 60% of the region is covered by mountains, including the Calimani, Gurghiu, Harghita, Giurgeu, Hasmas, and Ciucul Mountains. These peaks gradually decrease in elevation from north to south, with Calimani's heights exceeding 2,000 meters, while the other ranges reach maximum altitudes of around 1,800 meters. Harghita's hydrography centers around rivers such as the Olt, Mures, Târnava-Mica, Târnava-Mare, Trotus, and Bistricioara. Some of the prominent lakes that can be found are Sfânta-Ana Lake, Red Lake, Rat Lake, and Iezer Lake. Water-bearing strata have formed in intra-mountainous depressions, originating from quaternary and volcano-sedimentary deposits near lowland bases, contributing to local mineral springs. Geothermal conditions, along with geological and tectonic factors, lead to the emergence of thermo-mineral waters, occurring on both the volcanic eastern and western borders, namely in Toplita, Madaras, Miercurea Ciuc, Tusnad, and Vlahita.[1]

Spanning 320 hectares, the wildlife park in Ivo (Izvoare) is nestled in the central part of Harghita County, providing a habitat to animals such as deer, stags, and mouflon. Situated within the heart of the Eastern Carpathians, the park aims to restore the indigenous environment for the local living species. Unlike a zoo or farm, the park aims to recreate the natural habitats, a sanctuary where Carpathian inhabitants can be preserved.[4]

Harghita often experiences frosty winters and summers with relatively low temperatures.[1] The warmest month in Harghita tends to be August, with an average daily temperature of 25°C. January is most commonly the coldest month, as temperatures average a high of -1°C. February tends to be the driest month in Harghita because it generally receives 28 millimeters of rainfall on average. The most precipitation falls during June, with an average of about 97 millimeters.[5]

History

The initial signs of humans inhabiting the Harghita region date back to the Middle Palaeolithic era. Unearthed findings from Meresti, Toplita, Miercurea Ciuc, and Odorheiu Secuiesc provide evidence of cultures that are indicative of the Neolithic period, including the Cris, linear ceramic, Boian, Precucuteni, and Ariusd cultures.[1] Following the Roman conquest in 106 BC, the county's land—particularly the western regions—became part of the Roman province of Dacia. Economic activity is evidenced by the multitude of coin findings and treasures in Borsec, Valea Strâmbă, Tibod, and Cristuru Secuiesc. However, in the mid-3rd century, the Roman administration and military eventually departed from the province.[2]

In the 4th century, the Sântana de Mureș-Cerneahov cultural complex expanded across Harghita County and eastern Transylvania. The Goths briefly ruled over the local territory, followed by Slav penetration after the Avar establishment in the 7th century. By the 8th century, Avar territory was reduced under Slavic pressure, with settlements persisting into the 13th century when Szekler settlements appeared. From 1366 to 1427, Secuiesti Sees formed. After this, rebellion, Ottoman attacks, Habsburg dominance, and other events played a role in Harghita's history. However, the county's economy developed, despite the challenges.[2]

Concerning the history of the county's capital, in the Jigodin area of Miercurea Ciuc, remains of three Dacian fortifications from the 1st century were discovered. The town was once the capital of Csíkszék and a seat of Csík County during various historical periods. It belonged to Hungary until 1920, then Romania after the Treaty of Trianon. Hungary regained it from 1940 to 1944 due to the Second Vienna Award, but it was retaken by the Soviets in 1944 and confirmed as Romanian in 1947. Miercurea Ciuc changed different administrative regions until becoming Harghita County's seat in 1968.[3]