Sâncraiu: Village Culture, Crafts and Landscape

Culture

The Reformed Church of Sâncraiu houses the Matia Bell. The bell dates from 1481 and is one of the oldest bells; it is displayed in the churchyard and is one of the village’s notable historical details. Sâncraiu’s folk costume also reflects Kalotaszeg. Richness of colour is combined with simplicity and clear design. The costume is worn on public holidays and at important occasions in village life.

A memorial monument to the poet Ady Endre stands in the kindergarten courtyard, while a statue of the same poet stands in the school courtyard. The commemoration of Ady Endre is therefore present in two different places in the village. The Felszeg Gyöngye dance group is part of the village’s current cultural life. Its classes take place in three large groups with around 80 participants in total; there is also a senior group. The senior group complements the classes of the large groups with its own programme.

History

The basement exhibition “Trecutul comunității noastre în imagini” illustrates various aspects of Sâncraiu’s history. The Romanian title means, roughly, “Our community’s past in pictures.” The focus is on the development of the village itself. Before visiting the basement exhibition, current opening hours should be checked. For exhibition visits, checking the current opening hours is part of preparing before travelling.

Crafts

Thirteen carpentry workshops are still operating in the village of Sâncraiu. In the nearby area, in Izvoru Crișului, roadside stalls and small shops along the E60 sell handmade textiles, woodcarvings and ceramics. Izvoru Crișului is 12 kilometres from Sâncraiu. The current opening hours of the stalls and small shops can be checked in advance before visiting.

Landscape

Lake Kőhegy near Sâncraiu offers an opportunity for a picnic. Several named mountains lie in the wider regional area: Dealul Mestecenilor, Muncelul, Măgura Buciumi and Măgura Bodiei.

Cycle Route

A cycle route of more than 12 kilometres includes a 3-kilometre section near Huedin and a 5-kilometre section near Călățele. The section near Călățele was added in August 2025. For a cycling tour, the route length, the lengths of the individual sections and the current stage of development are separate details; current route conditions and traffic information should be checked before setting off. On a cycling tour, the route length and stage of development are part of your own time planning; route conditions and traffic information should be checked before departure.

Customs

At the Szüreti bál, young pairs of harvest guards ride through the village in a striking mounted procession, singing. The men ride horses, while the women travel in a horse-drawn wagon. The participants wear traditional Kalotaszeg costumes and sing Kalotaszeg folk songs. The costume thus appears both at public holidays and important occasions and at the Szüreti bál. The event date and the time of the procession should be checked before travelling. For a procession, the event date and time are part of preparing well in advance of the journey.

For the main travel overview: Sancraiu.