Riding Holidays in Transylvania-equestrian tourism in the land of Dracula
Estate-based Day-Rides
This is an easier programme, designed for families and groups of friends who would rather be based at the Estate’s guesthouses at Miklósvár throughout their holiday and ride one or a few times during their stay. It enables you to use the Estate’s facilities (including sauna) while eliminating the need to pack and unpack luggage each day. In the afternoons you can also use the public swimming pool at Saint George city (Sfantu Gheorghe/Sepsiszentgyörgy).
In the morning, you will be transfered by car from Miklósvár to the Estate’s equestrian centre at Koröspatak (25km) and back in the evening, or ride from Koröspatak to Miklósvár and back on a different route next day. You will be riding on hills of Háromszék County (English translation:Three Chairs) is the name of a historic administrative county (comitatus) of the Kingdom of Hungary . Its territory is presently in south-eastern Transylvania. The river Olt flows through the county. These villages have been established in its valley. The Carpathian Mountains form its southern and eastern border. The highest peak in the Háromszék mountains is the Lakóca teto at 1777m. The northern mountains are of volcanic origin (highest peaks are): Déli-Hargita (1558 m), Csomád-mountain (1301 m), Nagy-Murgó (1016 m). Eastern mountains: Répát, Nemere (1649 m), Háromszéki-mountains (1777 m), Bodzai-mountains (1479 m). In the centre of the County are the Baróti-mountains (1017 m), Bodoki-mountains (1240 m).
The village of Sepsikoröspatak was established in the 1330’s and has always been the Kálnoky Counts’ ancient residence. The Kálnoky castle stands in ruins in the middle of the settlement, only the chestnut trees visible from the road give away its presence. It has been built in the 17th century, but architectural diggings prove that in its place in the 16th century there was a renaissance manor house, modified many times before it started to take the shape of the castle. The Kálnokys have always been strong Catholics and faithful to their religion, hence it is a Roman Catholic village with the church standing in the centre of it. On the walls of the shrine there are frescos of the apostles and other biblical figures dating back possibly to the middle ages. Opposite the church stands the school, originally a convent, built by Countess Kálnoky Ludmilla in 1891. On the hill to the North-East the ruins of a gothic chapel can still be seen. Its origin has never been confirmed. Legend has it that so called Red Monks built it. The neighbouring woods are perfect for hiking and riding. In the valley of the Csinalt stream is a sweet and sulphurous mineral water spring known for its beneficial effect on many illnesses.
The village of Kálnok lies at 3 km from Sepsikoröspatak. From it derives the name of the Kálnoky family. The village is first mentioned in church records in 1225. At the entrance of the village stands the reformed church building surrounded by a stone wall with a sundial on it. The village was once renowned for its traditional crafts. Today there are only a few locals who still practise the art of wood carving. The masterpieces of local craftsmen are the two belfries made in the 18th century. According to locals no iron nails were used to assemble them. One of them stands in the courtyard of the Reformed church, and the other is still being used by the Unitarian parish. The ceiling of the Unitarian church is decorated with hand painted wooden panels. The local distillery is famous for its home made plum brandy. The village is the starting point of an important hiking trail over the Baróti mountains.
