Borsec
Encyclopedia
Borsec is a town in Harghita County
, Romania
. It lies in the Székely Land
, an ethno-cultural region in eastern Transylvania
. The town and the surrounding areas are well known for their spa
s and mineral water
s.
area of Transylvania
. Administratively, it belonged to Csíkszék until the administrative reform of Transylvania in 1876, when it fell within the Csík County in the Austria-Hungary
. After the Treaty of Trianon
of 1920, it became part of Romania
and fell within Ciuc County
during the interwar period. In 1940, the second Vienna Award
granted the Northern Transylvania
to Hungary and the settlement was held by Hungary until 1944. After Soviet occupation, the Romanian administration returned and it became officially part of Romania in 1947. Between 1952 and 1960, the town fell within the Magyar Autonomous Region, between 1960 and 1968 the Mureş-Magyar Autonomous Region.
depression
of the same name, at an altitude of 900 m.
s (the healing properties of the microclimate
, surrounding air, soil and water) and physiotherapeutic
properties are reputedly able to improve nutrition and heal a host of metabolic disorders. Borsec is a favorable place for rest and recreation
: it is a real paradise for those who enjoy excursions (known destinations include Poiana Zânelor, the ice cave
, the bears' cave, Izvorul Strǎvechi, Cetatea Bufniţelor), those who like winter sports (on Făget
and Fagetel
for beginners and those more advanced) as well as those who like to fish, who can try their luck in the waters of Bistricioara
or the Bicaz lake, which are near the resort.
One famous visitor to Borsec was Moldavian writer Vasile Alecsandri
, who wrote the following in 1845: "at Borsec they all are brothers, if not in Jesus then in mineral water [...] one of the most important merits of Borsec is that it gives people human feelings!"
Nearby locations include the monasteries of Moldavia
(Neamţ
, Secu
, Văratec
, Agapia
, Durău
, Sihăstria), the Lázár Castle
, Lacul Roşu, Cheile Bicazului, Lake Bicaz, the Durău resort
, the Praid
salt mine, Sovata
, and the ceramics centre of Corund
.
and 0.6% others.
.
Harghita County
Harghita is a county in the center of Romania, in eastern Transylvania, with the county seat at Miercurea-Ciuc.-Demographics:In 2002, it had a population of 326,222 and a population density of 52/km².*Hungarians- 85%...
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
. It lies in the Székely Land
Székely Land
The Székely Land or Szekler Land refers to the territories inhabited mainly by the Székely, a Hungarian-speaking ethnic group from eastern Transylvania...
, an ethno-cultural region in eastern Transylvania
Transylvania
Transylvania is a historical region in the central part of Romania. Bounded on the east and south by the Carpathian mountain range, historical Transylvania extended in the west to the Apuseni Mountains; however, the term sometimes encompasses not only Transylvania proper, but also the historical...
. The town and the surrounding areas are well known for their spa
Thermal bath
A thermal bath is a warm body of water. It is often referred to as a spa, which is traditionally used to mean a place where the water is believed to have special health-giving properties, though note that many spas offer cold water or mineral water treatments.A thermal bath may be part of a...
s and mineral water
Mineral water
Mineral water is water containing minerals or other dissolved substances that alter its taste or give it therapeutic value, generally obtained from a naturally occurring mineral spring or source. Dissolved substances in the water may include various salts and sulfur compounds...
s.
History
It was historically part of the Székely LandSzékely Land
The Székely Land or Szekler Land refers to the territories inhabited mainly by the Székely, a Hungarian-speaking ethnic group from eastern Transylvania...
area of Transylvania
Transylvania
Transylvania is a historical region in the central part of Romania. Bounded on the east and south by the Carpathian mountain range, historical Transylvania extended in the west to the Apuseni Mountains; however, the term sometimes encompasses not only Transylvania proper, but also the historical...
. Administratively, it belonged to Csíkszék until the administrative reform of Transylvania in 1876, when it fell within the Csík County in the Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
. After the Treaty of Trianon
Treaty of Trianon
The Treaty of Trianon was the peace agreement signed in 1920, at the end of World War I, between the Allies of World War I and Hungary . The treaty greatly redefined and reduced Hungary's borders. From its borders before World War I, it lost 72% of its territory, which was reduced from to...
of 1920, it became part of Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
and fell within Ciuc County
Ciuc County
Ciuc County was a county in the Kingdom of Romania. Its capital was Miercurea Ciuc. Its name was derived from the former county of the Kingdom of Hungary, Csík.-Geography:...
during the interwar period. In 1940, the second Vienna Award
Second Vienna Award
The Second Vienna Award was the second of two Vienna Awards arbitrated by the Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. Rendered on August 30, 1940, it re-assigned the territory of Northern Transylvania from Romania to Hungary.-Prelude and historical background :After the World War I, the multi-ethnic...
granted the Northern Transylvania
Northern Transylvania
Northern Transylvania is a region of Transylvania, situated within the territory of Romania. The population is largely composed of both ethnic Romanians and Hungarians, and the region has been part of Romania since 1918 . During World War II, as a consequence of the territorial agreement known as...
to Hungary and the settlement was held by Hungary until 1944. After Soviet occupation, the Romanian administration returned and it became officially part of Romania in 1947. Between 1952 and 1960, the town fell within the Magyar Autonomous Region, between 1960 and 1968 the Mureş-Magyar Autonomous Region.
Geography
Borsec, a resort chiefly known for its mineral water and favourable climate, is situated in the intracarpaticCarpathian Mountains
The Carpathian Mountains or Carpathians are a range of mountains forming an arc roughly long across Central and Eastern Europe, making them the second-longest mountain range in Europe...
depression
Depression (geology)
A depression in geology is a landform sunken or depressed below the surrounding area. Depressions may be formed by various mechanisms.Structural or tectonic related:...
of the same name, at an altitude of 900 m.
Tourism
Borsec owes its fame to its mineral waters, known for their curing properties. Natural cureCure
A cure is a completely effective treatment for a disease.The Cure is an English rock band.Cure, or similar, may also refer to:-Film and television:* The Cure , a short film starring Charlie Chaplin...
s (the healing properties of the microclimate
Microclimate
A microclimate is a local atmospheric zone where the climate differs from the surrounding area. The term may refer to areas as small as a few square feet or as large as many square miles...
, surrounding air, soil and water) and physiotherapeutic
Physical therapy
Physical therapy , often abbreviated PT, is a health care profession. Physical therapy is concerned with identifying and maximizing quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, diagnosis, treatment/intervention,and rehabilitation...
properties are reputedly able to improve nutrition and heal a host of metabolic disorders. Borsec is a favorable place for rest and recreation
Recreation
Recreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure and are considered to be "fun"...
: it is a real paradise for those who enjoy excursions (known destinations include Poiana Zânelor, the ice cave
Cave
A cave or cavern is a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter. The term applies to natural cavities some part of which is in total darkness. The word cave also includes smaller spaces like rock shelters, sea caves, and grottos.Speleology is the science of exploration and study...
, the bears' cave, Izvorul Strǎvechi, Cetatea Bufniţelor), those who like winter sports (on Făget
Faget
Făget is a town in Timiş County, Banat, western Romania, with a population of about 7,500. Its name literally means "beech tree forest" in Romanian...
and Fagetel
Fagetel
Făgeţel may refer to several villages in Romania:* Făgeţel, a village in Iteşti Commune, Bacău County* Făgeţel, a village in Frumoasa, Harghita* Făgeţel, a village in Remetea, Harghita* Făgeţel, a village in Dobra, Hunedoara...
for beginners and those more advanced) as well as those who like to fish, who can try their luck in the waters of Bistricioara
Bistricioara River (Siret)
The Bistricioara River is a tributary of the Bistriţa River in Romania, which it joins at the upper end of Lake Izvorul Muntelui.-References:* Administraţia Naţională Apelor Române - Cadastrul Apelor - Bucureşti...
or the Bicaz lake, which are near the resort.
One famous visitor to Borsec was Moldavian writer Vasile Alecsandri
Vasile Alecsandri
Vasile Alecsandri was a Romanian poet, playwright, politician, and diplomat. He collected Romanian folk songs and was one of the principal animators of the 19th century movement for Romanian cultural identity and union of Moldavia and Wallachia....
, who wrote the following in 1845: "at Borsec they all are brothers, if not in Jesus then in mineral water [...] one of the most important merits of Borsec is that it gives people human feelings!"
Nearby locations include the monasteries of Moldavia
Moldavia
Moldavia is a geographic and historical region and former principality in Eastern Europe, corresponding to the territory between the Eastern Carpathians and the Dniester river...
(Neamţ
Neamt Monastery
The Neamţ Monastery is a Romanian Orthodox religious settlement, one of the oldest and most important of its kind in Romania. It was built in 14th century, and it is an example of medieval Moldavian architecture...
, Secu
SECU
Secu or SECU may refer to:* Secu - a commune in Dolj County, Romania* SECU - Stora Enso Cargo Unit, a type of shipping container* The ICAO airport code for Mariscal Lamar Airport in Cuenca, Ecuador...
, Văratec
Varatec Monastery
Văratec Monastery is a Romanian Orthodox religious settlement located in north-eastern part of the country, in Văratec village, Agapia Commune, Neamţ County.-External links:***...
, Agapia
Agapia Monastery
The Agapia Monastery is a Romanian Orthodox monastery located 9 km west of Târgu Neamţ, in Agapia Commune, Neamţ County. It was built between 1642 and 1647 by Romanian Voivode Vasile Lupu. The church, restored and modified several times during the centuries was painted by Nicolae Grigorescu,...
, Durău
Durau
Durău is a ski resort located in north-eastern Romania, in Neamţ County, Moldavia at the proximity of Ceahlău Massif...
, Sihăstria), the Lázár Castle
Lázár Castle
Lazar Castle is a castle located in Lăzarea, Harghita County, Romania. The citadel is named after Lázár nobile family and it is built on a combination of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance styles.- See also :* List of castles in Romania...
, Lacul Roşu, Cheile Bicazului, Lake Bicaz, the Durău resort
Durau
Durău is a ski resort located in north-eastern Romania, in Neamţ County, Moldavia at the proximity of Ceahlău Massif...
, the Praid
Praid
Praid is a commune in Harghita County, Romania. It lies in the Székely Land, an ethno-cultural region in eastern Transylvania, and is composed of six villages:-Demographics:...
salt mine, Sovata
Sovata
-History:It formed part of the Székely Land region of the historical Transylvania province. The first data about Sovata are from 1578. By 1583 it already was a village....
, and the ceramics centre of Corund
Corund, Harghita
Corund is a commune in Harghita County, Romania. It lies in the Székely Land, an ethno-cultural region in eastern Transylvania, and is the centre of the "Salt region"...
.
Demographics
According to the 2002 census, the town's population is 2,864, of whom 2,240 (78.21%) are ethnic Hungarians, 21.19% are ethnic RomaniansRomanians
The Romanians are an ethnic group native to Romania, who speak Romanian; they are the majority inhabitants of Romania....
and 0.6% others.
Exports
"Borsec, Queen of Mineral Waters" (since 1806) is bottled there and exported to nations such as the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.