Covasna County

Description:

Geographical situation

                In the central part of Romania, in the inner area of the Carpathic arch.

 

Neighbours

                In the north: Harghita County, in the north-east: Bacau County, in the east: Vrancea County, in the south-east: Buzau County, in the south-west: Brasov County.

 

Surface

                3,710 square km (respectively 1,6% of the country's surface).

 

Population

                232,000 inhabitants.

 

Towns

                Sfantu Gheorghe, capital of the county, with 67,000 inhabitants, on the bank of the Olt river, at the foot of the Baraolt Massif. Other towns: Baraolt, Covasna, Intorsura Buzaului, Târgu Secuiesc.

 

Relief

                It has a mountain structure (60% of the territory). The low region has depressions and tectonic corridors.

 

Climate

                It is moderate, with rather hot summers and frosty winters The local wind Nemira causes snow- storms and frequent thermic inversions during the cold season. The average temperature in January is  -2- -10°C and in July is 7 - 20°C.

 

Watercourses

               In west : Olt and the Râul Negru,Tarlungul, Zgonul in the south, Casinul in the north.

 

Touristic Attractions

Caves

                The Puciosul Cave, near Balvanyos,situated in the Puciosu Massif

                Cave 9 (in the Varghis Gorges)

               The Cave from Tuna

 

Gorges and valleys

                Valea ladului (The Hell's Valley) in Tuna, on the eastern side of the Bodoc Mountains, south of the Bixad-Târgu Secuiesc road, interesting natural preserve due to its mineral water springs and mofettes  (emissions of carbon dioxide, sign of a post-volcanic activity in these mountains).

 

Preserves and monuments of nature

                Mestecanisul de Ia Red is a botanical preserve and is situated in the meadow of the Râul Negru.

 

Spas and Touristical Health Resorts

                Covasna situated on 31 km away from Sfântu Gheorghe, and 60 km from Brasov. You can get there: by train, the Covasna station on the Sfantu Gheorghe - Bretcu line, by road DN 11, Brasov - Bacau with deviation at Reci, DN 10 Sfantu Gheorghe-Targu Secuiesc through Reci.

                Balvanyos situated on 67 km away from Sfantu Gheorghe, and 81 km away from Brasov. Access: by train Targu Secuiesc station on the Sfantu Gheorghe -Bretcu line, then by road to the spa, by road DN 12 from Brasov or Miercurea Ciuc, until Bixad, then by local road.

 

                Other spas: Sugag, Ozunca Bãi, Malnas  Bai-spa.

 

Historical vestiges

                The Fortress from llieni (15th century), stone building which can be admired even today.

                "The Fairies' Fortress" in Covasna, the ruins of the Dacian fortress of the 1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D.

                Other historical vestiges: Rural Fortress in Aita Mare (16th century), "Pagan's  Fortress" in Balvanyos (13th century), only ruins in present, Roman Camp in Bodoc (2nd century), only ruins, ,,The Herecz" Fortress in Bodoc (13th century), only wins, "Miko" Castle in Olteni, "Kalnoky" Castle in Miclosoara (16th century), in Renaissance style.

 

 

Religious buildings

                Roman-Catholic Church in Ghelita

                Fortified Church in Biborteni (15th century)

                Other religious buildings: Reformed Church in Sfantu Gheorghe (I4th - 15th century), Church Fortress in Ghidfalau (l3th century), in Romantic style, Fortified Church in Olteni (15th century), Fortified Church in Baraolt (1569), Church Aita Mare (1520-1541).