This Romanian market town, with its 16th-century fortress ruins and thermal baths, has a large Hungarian-speaking population and traditional Szekler craft workshops.
In Odorheiu Secuiesc, Romania, local actors perform Hungarian plays at the town theater, while farmers sell homemade cheese and cured meats at the monthly market in Márton Áron Square. The Haáz Rezső Museum displays traditional tools from 19th-century Szekler households and paintings by Hungarian artists like Nagy Imre. Beyond the town, ski slopes wind through the Madaras Harghita Mountains, and craftspeople in nearby villages carve intricate designs into wooden gates and furniture.
Cultural Life in Odorheiu Secuiesc
The Haáz Rezső Museum displays over 200 artifacts from 19th-century Szekler households, including farming tools, furniture, and traditional costumes. Hungarian paintings from local artists fill the museum's art gallery. The town theater stages plays in Hungarian twice weekly, and the philharmonic orchestra performs concerts every Friday evening. At the monthly farmers' market, local producers sell sheep cheese, smoked sausages, and seasonal vegetables. During festivals in Márton Áron Square (Horseshoe Square), local bands play folk music while food vendors serve traditional kürtőskalács (chimney cake) and other regional specialties.
Mountain Activities and Natural Sites
The Madaras Harghita Mountains have five ski slopes operating from December to March. When hiking to Madaras Peak in summer, stop at family-run guesthouses serving traditional dishes like töltött káposzta (stuffed cabbage) made with ingredients from their gardens. The mineral springs at Homorod Spa maintain a constant temperature of 22°C year-round. Fish for trout at Zetelaka Lake, or cycle the 5-kilometer marked path to Szejke Spa, where ethnographer Balázs Orbán's memorial stands among pine trees.
Day Trips from Odorheiu Secuiesc
Visit Corund (25 kilometers away) to see potters shape traditional Hungarian ceramics and buy directly from their workshops. Swim in the salt-water Bear Lake in Sovata (46 kilometers), which has indoor and outdoor pools. The UNESCO-listed medieval town of Sighișoara lies 50 kilometers away, with its 14th-century clock tower and cobblestone streets. Brașov (109 km) and Sibiu (150 km) both have well-preserved medieval centers with Saxon architecture.
Getting There and Around
Fly to Târgu Mureș International Airport (110 kilometers) with direct connections to London, Barcelona, and Budapest. Buses depart every hour from the town center to surrounding villages. Find accommodation near Márton Áron Square in the center or in the quiet residential neighborhoods.
