|
|
 |
Szekler-land
(’Székelyföld’, as it’s called by the locals) is inhabited by a special
group of Hungarians, called Székelys, whom some still consider descendents
of the Huns of Attila. Their land has the most striking national and
cultural characteristics in the whole Transylvania. |
|
The
landscape is breathtaking as well, to say the least: dramatic mountains of
volcanic origin covered by dense pine forests, deep canyons bordered by
rocks often several hundred meters high and remains of past volcanic
activities (gas-emissions with healing effects - so-called ‘mofettas’ -
mineral water springs etc) are abundant. |
 |
 |
Even
among all this exuberance, some sights stand out: the Saint Anne
lake and the ‘Mohos’ are two wonderful crater lakes formed in the
calderas of ancient volcanoes (the later one has turned into a
muskeg and hosts some rare species of flowers not found anywhere
else). A panoramic view of the Saint Anne lake is visible on top of
the page. |
|
Similarly astonishing sights are the Killer Lake (Lacu Rosu), formed in 1838
when a collapsing mountain blocked a nearby creek (the top of the
pines covered as a result by water are still visible today) and the
narrow Békás Canyon, snaking through huge rocks – even the road was
built employing several tunnels and neck breaking zigzags. |
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
Most of the Székely villages
still retain their archaic atmosphere and fine examples of popular
architecture and craftsmanship are on display everywhere. A traditional
Székely gate is shown on this photo. |
