Travel Guide Rimetea

Rimetea (in Hungarian, Torockó) is one of the most beautiful villages in the massif, nestling at the foot of the imposing Piatra Secuiului (the Sicule Stone), topped by rocky peaks. This village of some 1,000 inhabitants, mostly Hungarian, prospered until the end of the 19th century thanks to the mining and processing of iron ore. Once the deposits were exhausted, the village became depopulated, but it has retained the imprint of its rich past. Proudly lining the village square are its opulent houses, all white, with green shutters and elegantly sculpted facades. Most were built after the great fire of 1870, and many have recently benefited from a renovation program. The upper houses, the most opulent, belonged to wealthy iron merchants and owners of mines and foundries. Those below, more modest, were occupied by miners, merchants and craftsmen, who were numerous at the time. To immerse yourself in Rimetea's history, visit the small ethnographic museum housed in the old inn (Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm, admission €2). You'll see traditional costumes and superb furniture painted in the Saxon style, as the many German miners of the time had an influence on local culture. Near Rimetea, you can visit the iron mines and the ruins of the Colţeşti fortress, over 700 years old.