Szentábrahám

Szentábrahám, one of the oldest and most fascinating settlements in the Kis-Küküllő Valley, is located on the western edge of Harghita County, near Székelykeresztúr. This village, situated in the Gagy Creek Valley, comprises four smaller villages: Gagy, Gagyfalva, Székelyszentmiklós, and Cehtestróna. Its Unitarian traditions, untouched natural surroundings, and rich folklore make it truly unique. The first written mention of the village dates back to 1333, but archaeological findings suggest that the area has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The original settlement, Infalva – located in the present-day Ing Creek Valley – was destroyed by the Tatars. According to legend, after the devastation, the inhabitants resettled in a new location and named their new village Szentábrahám after Ábrahám, a revered and wealthy hermit who had lived there. The area preserves several mysterious place names and legends. Tradition holds that a Dacian golden plough and golden stags were buried in the well of Ing Creek when the Dacians fled from the advancing Huns. On the barren plateau of Zsidóhegy (Jewish Hill), there may once have been a fortress and a castle well. Folklore suggests that a Jewish community once lived there and hid their fabulous treasures in the mountain's deep caverns. According to one local tale, a girl picking strawberries accidentally discovered this treasure, but when she returned for the third time, the cave's door slammed shut, and the treasures she had taken turned to coal – since then, magic has guarded the secrets of this place. The village is also home to the Tomori Bench, the former church hill where a shared church once stood for the neighbouring villages' congregations. A medieval bell discovered here still adorns the Unitarian prayer house, bearing the Gothic inscription: O rex glorie, veni cum pace (“O King of Glory, come in peace”). The street names in the village are equally evocative: Csíki Street is surrounded by the legend of the “white ladies,” while Vasvár Street, like similar areas in nearby settlements, is known as a quarter for those living on the fringes of society. The village's character is still defined by traditional homesteads, long houses, and the tranquil, hilly countryside. From a tourism perspective, Szentábrahám is an excellent starting point for hiking, nature walks, and exploring Székely folk culture. The surrounding hills – such as Szálas-tető, Szarvas-Fejtő, and the aforementioned Zsidóhegy – offer not only natural beauty but also living memories. The clear waters of nearby creek valleys (Zsidán, Köblös, Nagyáj) and the peaceful image of rural farming are particularly appealing to those who enjoy slow tourism. Szentábrahám is not just a Székely village nestled among hills; it is a place where legends and history come alive – where the tale of the golden stags and the traces of Dacian treasures are intertwined with the landscape and collective memory. - editorial content -