Tălmăcel

The name of the village was given in the 15^th century when the newly arrived Saxons banished the Romanians from the village of Tălmaciu nearby. The Romanians built a new settlement which they named “Tălmăcel”.

Legends say that at first Romanians settled in the area which is today known as “La Lac”. It is said that a small church was built here at the beginning surrounded by a few houses; after a heavy rain, the small church and the houses were taken by the water. A lake was formed there which locals say is cursed.

The inhabitants of Tălmăcel were into animal husbandry but also into agriculture, carpentry and building. They are famous bridge builders. In fact, between 1922 and 1926 they built no less than eight bridges over the three streams crossing the village.

Tălmăcel is remarkable due to the traditional architecture of the houses, its narrow streets so typical of mountain villages, its well preserved traditions and more than anything else it is famous due to the habit of The Bathing of the Johns which is unique to these lands.

In the village it is worth visiting the old church with its beautiful legend and if you are interested in the lives of the locals, you may also visit the ethnographic museum.

We would also suggest a visit to the Tălmaciu Fortress. Not far from Tălmăcel, on the road to Tălmaciu, at approximately one kilometre away, on the La Ruine Hill lie the ruins of a former medieval fortress. In the 14^th century the inhabitants from the area would boast the biggest fortress in Transylvania. Its role was that on an observation point for the Oltului Valley Pass and for the commercial routes coming to Transylvania. Shortly after, the fortress lost its glory and today we can only admire its ruins.