The Gyarfas Mansion in Cristuru Secuiesc, a historic monument whose construction began in 1728, has been restored through a project financed under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), as part of the 'Attractive Romania' government programme.
The building, owned by Cristuru Secuiesc Town Hall, is best known for its connection to Hungarian poet Petofi Sandor, who spent his last night there before disappearing during the Battle of Albesti in 1849.
Photo source: Cristuru Secuiesc Town Hall
The town's mayor, Koncz Hunor Janos, told AGERPRES that over the years the manor had served several purposes: it functioned as a pulmonary hospital during the communist period and more recently housed a residential centre for children with disabilities.
Although the building appeared to have been preserved, its true structural condition only became apparent after works began, with experts stating that certain parts were in an advanced state of deterioration.
Photo source: Cristuru Secuiesc Town Hall
The project was accessed through the Ministry of Investments and European Projects and the works effectively began at the end of 2024 after the relocation of the residential centre, being carried out by a local company.
The total value of the investment amounts to approximately eight million lei, including VAT, of which the local administration contributed around 500,000 lei.
Photo source: Cristuru Secuiesc Town Hall
The restoration of the manor aimed to preserve the building's original elements, such as the historic frescoes, the decorated ceiling and the old beams.
Koncz Hunor Janos explained that a space called 'Gyarfas Cellar' had been arranged in the manor's basement and could in future be turned into a cafe, while the ground floor will host a permanent exhibition about the history of the manor and its connection to Petofi Sandor, as well as various cultural events and temporary exhibitions.
Photo source: Cristuru Secuiesc Town Hall
The attic will function as a conference hall and a space for cultural activities.
There are also accommodation facilities for approximately 10 to 12 people.
The mayor said the intention is for the new venue to be managed by a municipal company together with other local tourist attractions and to serve both cultural and tourism purposes.
The renovated mansion will be inaugurated on 24 May and local residents will be able to enter and admire this emblematic building for the community.
Koncz Hunor Janos confessed that he grew up near the manor and considers the rehabilitation of the building, which forms part of the local identity, to have been both a historic and deeply personal duty.
Photo source: Cristuru Secuiesc Town Hall
'For us, this was both a historic and emotional duty. For the community of Cristur, it truly represents, in a way, a historic fulfilment. We are talking about a building of which all the inhabitants of the town and the Cristur area are proud. And for us it is a source of pride that we were able to save a building for which I do not have words to express how important it is to us,' the mayor said.
He also spoke about the building's association with the Hungarian national poet Petofi Sandor, whom local tradition says spent his last night there before disappearing on the battlefield on 31 July 1849.
'We are talking about something exceptional. In the minds of the people of Cristur, he has remained a personality belonging to our community, even though he stayed here for only one night,' Koncz Hunor Janos said.
Photo source: Cristuru Secuiesc Town Hall
Every year on 31 July, local authorities organise events dedicated to the memory of Petofi Sandor.
The events include serving the poet's last dinner from the evening spent in Cristuru Secuiesc - polenta with milk and cheese - as well as a cycling tour to Albesti, the site of the 1849 battle.
In the courtyard of the manor there is also an old pear tree, known as 'Petofi's pear tree,' under which the poet is said to have written his last poem, and which has now become an attraction for visitors.
Photo source: Cristuru Secuiesc Town Hall
'It is the great-grandfather of pear trees, one that still remembers the past. And there is an area there visited by many tourists coming both from Romania and abroad,' the mayor added.
The Gyarfas Mansion in Cristuru Secuiesc is part of the 'Route of Curias,' a tourist and cultural trail included in the national cultural tourism programme 'Attractive Romania', financed through the PNRR and dedicated to the promotion and restoration of historic manors and estates in Transylvania. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Gina Stefan; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)
