Travel Guide Huedin

North of the Apuseni mountains, between Cluj and Oradea, Huedin (population 9,300) is the center of a well-established Hungarian minority enclave, known as Kalotaszeg. Hungarians consider this region to be the one that has best preserved its traditions, which is reflected in the surrounding villages by the wearing of traditional costumes (mainly on feast and market days), rich craftsmanship (painted furniture, colorful embroidery...) and the use of a particular dialect. The town of Huedin itself, efficiently concreted over, offers few sights apart from its Reformed church, a massive 16th-century edifice featuring a high tower and wooden bell tower. But the surrounding region is rich in fortresses and villages with preserved folklore. You'll be able to see fine costumes at the Izvoru Crişului market, some ten kilometers east of Huedin, and beautiful traditional houses in Văleni (Magyarvalkó) and Călăţele (Kiskalota). From Huedin, you can easily reach the Apuseni mountains, the tourist complex of Beliş (on the shores of the Fântânele reservoir) or the charming traditional village of Mărgău.