In the beginning, the two counties of Harghita and Somogy established contact with each other, and then the cities of the two counties also started showing interest in establishing a possible connection. The population of Gyergyószentmiklós is approximately the same as Siófok. The city is situated in a beautiful location, near Lake Gyilkos and Békás Gorge. The connection works very well between schools, choirs, and dance ensembles. Representatives from the cities regularly visit each other.
Gyergyószentmiklós (Gheorgheni in Romanian) is a city located in Harghita County, Romania. The city is situated at an altitude of 810 meters above sea level and is one of the coldest cities in Romania, with an average of over 160 frosty days per year.
There are several explanations regarding the origin of the name. The suffix of the city's name comes from the church dedicated to Saint Nicholas, but the origin of the word "gyergyó" is disputed. Some derive it from the György River, others attribute it to the exclamation of the first settlers ("Jer! Jó!"), and there are those who trace it back to the Hungarian verb "gurog" (meaning "Greek"). It is also popularly believed that the word "gyergyó" originates from the name of Saint George, whom the settlers named their city after. However, the name Saint George appeared erroneously in Latin-language documents (as Georgio or Gyorgio) and eventually transformed into Gyergyó in the vernacular.
The history of Gyergyószentmiklós dates back to the 14th century and was first mentioned in 1332. The city historically belonged to the Székely Land region of Transylvania. By the 19th century, it had become a commercial center for the surrounding area, thanks to the modern wood industry, which attracted more and more industrial workers, followed by the establishment of factories. The current city center was developed by the end of the century. In 1907, it was granted city status. After World War II, it became part of Romania.
The twinning agreement between Siófok and Gyergyószentmiklós took place in 1990.
The heart of Gyergyószentmiklós is the former Market Square, now named Szabadság tér (Freedom Square), one of the most beautifully landscaped town squares in Transylvania. Its current appearance took shape at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries when multi-story buildings replaced the primitive houses of local craftsmen. The Reformed Church is located here, built between 1895 and 1899.
The Roman Catholic Church of Gyergyószentmiklós is the city's oldest monument and was built between 1753 and 1757 on the site of the expanded old Gothic church from the 17th century (1499).
One of the highlights of the city is Csíky Garden, a 16-hectare arboretum established between 1884 and 1910 by Dr. Dénes Csíky, a lawyer. In the suburbs, there is a functioning and visitable watermill built in the 19th century.
The Vertán House, built between 1770 and 1778, was once the headquarters of the 1st Szekler Infantry Regiment and now houses the Tarisznyás Márton Museum. The museum has a rich collection of ethnography and fine arts.
Gyilkostó, located 28 kilometers east of Gyergyószentmiklós, is administratively part of the city. It is known for the Gyilkos-tó (Murderer's Lake). Its name comes from the nearby Gyilkos-hegy (Murderer's Mountain), which may refer to a past murder or the dangerous paths leading to the mountain. The lake was formed in 1837 due to a landslide and has a maximum depth of approximately 10 meters. The lake is one of the most picturesque in the Carpathians, surrounded by peaks over 1,000 meters.
Notable people:
Endre Molnár, Olympic champion water polo player, honored citizen of the city since 2006. Norbert Bagossy, vocalist of the Bagossy Brothers Company.
Official website: www.gheorgheni.ro
