Rimetea Village – unique in Romania and in the world

Rimetea is a place where everything has been preserved exactly the way it was when it was built, in the 19th century. The specific white houses with green window frames are the result of a blend of Hungarian and Austrian elements, as the two nationalities were mixed here in the 18th century. The good condition in which these houses have been preserved, their unique architecture, particular to Transylvania and the wonderful scenery that surrounds them make the village a very beautiful place. Even actor Jeremy Irons was reportedly impressed by it.

Over the course of its long existence – that started in Roman times (106-274 A.D.) – Rimetea has had many ups and downs. It grew from ordinary medieval village to burgeoning city between the centuries 17 and 18, only to sustain a slow but certain decline between the 19th and 20th centuries. Both the rise and the fall were a result of the area’s rich iron ore deposits. They ensured a steady growth and prosperity for the village, but were unfortunately depleted. Rimetea even came close to extinction 150 years ago, when it was almost swallowed by fire. Most of the houses were destroyed, but were rebuilt by the local miners.   

Besides having this unique and charming architecture, the village is also located in a wonderful geographical area. It is surrounded from side to side by 500-600 meter calcareous massifs and traversed from north to south by the River Rimetea. In the east, the massif Piatra Secuiului (1128 m) presides over the village, causing the sun to rise twice between the months of May and September. The sun is said to rise two times because, the mountain being so high, the village is still covered by shadow even after the sun has risen. Only after climbing above Piatra Secuiului is it considered to have actually risen, when it finally covers the village in light.

Rimetea received the Europa Nostra award in the year 1999 for its conservation of the cultural and architectonic heritage. This was the first time that a rural settlement received this award. The Europa Nostra prize celebrates and rewards the best achievements related to heritage conservation, management and research. Also in 1999, an architect from UNESCO visited Rimetea and being impressed with it, he proposed it for inclusion in the World Heritage.    

Sources:

“Rimetea, Alba”, Wikipedia, Available at:  https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rimetea,_Alba, Accessed: 09.16.2015.

Alexandra, “Piatra Secuiului, Rimetea – locul unde nu m-a deranjat ca se vorbeste maghiara”, Viajoa, February 28th 2012, Available at: http://www.viajoa.ro/destinatii/europa/romania/piatra-secuiului-rimetea-locul-unde-nu-m-deranjat-ca-se-vorbeste-m/,  Accessed: 09.16.2015.

Enache, Maria, “CELE MAI FRUMOASE SATE DIN ROMANIA: RIMETEA, UN LOC UNIC IN LUME, CU CASE ALBE, FERESTRE VERZI SI O ISTORIE IMPRESIONANTA”, Mondonews, March 16th 2014, Available at: http://www.mondonews.ro/cele-mai-frumoase-sate-din-romania-rimetea-un-loc-unic-in-lume-cu-case-albe-si-ferestre-verzi-galerie-foto/, Accessed: 09.16.2015.