Rupea-Cohalm Cultural Heritage for Local Development

CULTEMA Cultural Value for Sustainable Territorial Governance and Marketing This brochure is part of the CULTEMA − Cultural Value for Sustainable Territorial Governance and Marketing project (code: SEE/B/0040/4.3/X) financed from the second call for projects of the South East Europe Transnational Cooperation Programme, co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund and through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance.

PHOTOGRAPHS Studio Photoliu, ©Ministry of Culture, -Cohalm Frantisek Zvardon, ©Council of Europe CAPTION AUTHOR Cultural Heritage for Local Development Alexandra Zbuchea TRANSLATION Raluca-Maria Topală IMAGES Mircea Drăgoi DESIGN Ana Tăutu PRINT Peggy Production

CULTEMA Cultural Value for Sustainable Territorial Governance and Marketing

©2013

3 CULTEMA PARTNERS Cultural Heritage and Ukraine Local Development Slovakia

LEAD PARTNER Austria Hungary Veneto Region Romania Department for Public Works, Italy Slovenia ERDF PARTNERS Croatia Ministry of Culture, Romania Graz University of Technology, Austria Bosnia Italy Venice Water Authority, Italy and Serbia Regional Union of the Chambers Herzegovina Not seldom it is believed that the cultural The project recommends specific ways of Commerce of Veneto, Italy heritage in general, and the immovable one to identify the financial resources for Aitoliki Development Agency S.A, Greece in particular, is only a consumer of financial capitalizing on historical monuments, Association for Preservation and Research of Montenegro Bulgaria resources and that it does not contribute taking into account various factors, such the Austrian Cultural Heritage, Austria significantly to the competitiveness of local as the background of the economic Bulgaria the former Agribusiness Vidin Regional Centre, Yugoslav Republic of economies. This is one of the reasons for problems in recent years, the specificity of Macedonia which the CULTEMA project partners have Rupea-Cohalm and the development vision IPA PARTNERS set the goal to identify concrete ways to agreed by the local community. Ministry of Culture, Republic of Macedonia Albania strengthen the role of cultural heritage in Ministry of Culture and Information, Serbia increasing the welfare of communities, This brochure was created in response to Ministry of Culture, Montenegro based on their experience in managing the need to present, in an accessible manner, Greece historical monuments. the Rupea-Cohalm micro-region and the ASSOCIATED STRATEGIC PARTNERS investment potential of the immovable Despotovac Municipality, Serbia CULTEMA supports local authorities and heritage, as a first step in the dialogue Žagubica Municipality, Serbia the strengthening of their public strategies, with partners or investors interested in providing them with various resources and sustainable growth by putting to good use OBSERVER PARTNERS technical instruments, thus enabling them local resources and cultural monuments. Council of Europe, France to make informed decisions about the role Venice, Italy and contribution of cultural values in the Art Kontakt, Albania development of the territories.

4 5 6 7 Rupea-Cohalm or the Seat of Rupea

Rupea-Cohalm is one of the three historical churches (about twenty). The Evangelical Location: Northern part of Brașov County Basic infrastructure regions of Brașov; it consists of the town Church of Viscri is a UNESCO monument, Administrative territory: the town Roads: of Rupea and the eight communes that visited by tourists from all over Europe. of Rupea and the Bunești, Cața, , European: E60 Brașov, Hoghiz, Rupea, surround it. The Seat of Rupea was one Those interested in cultural tourism and Homorod, , Racoș, Ticuș and Bunești, Sighișoara of the seven seats – Saxon administrative local values can find here seven museums, communes National: 2 territories from in the 12th– 19th of which most are dedicated to ethnography. Surface: 1,018 km 2 County: 10 centuries. It has preserved part of its diverse In the past years, tourists’ interest for the Population: 27,494 inhabitants Communal: 7 cultural heritage, which is a great potential area has increased, and guesthouses have Ethnicities: , , Railway: 6 stations in Rupea Gară, Mateiaș, for development. Its cultural richness is begun to appear, but the development Roma, Saxons Racoș, Cața, Paloș, Beia based on ethnic diversity and on the potential is much higher. Population density: 27 inhabitants/km2 history of these places. Electricity: The beautiful scenery, untouched by the Historical monuments, including Available in all territorial-administrative units Along with the Saxons who resisted the brutal intervention of man, adds to the archeological sites: 145 hardships of the last century, the area is attractiveness of the region. Moreover, there UNESCO monuments: 1 Running water: Rupea, Hoghiz, Homorod, inhabited by Romanians and Hungarians. are many monuments and natural reserves. Protected natural areas (natural Cața, Bunești are connected to the water The history of multicultural coexistence in monuments, natural reserves, Nature supply network this region has led to the building of citadels The region is ideal for developing 2000 sites): 13 and mansions with diverse architecture cultural projects, for rural tourism, and Museums and memorial houses: 7 Natural gas: Rupea, Bunești, Hoghiz, and of churches of the various local for entrepreneurial initiatives related to Homorod are connected to the supply system denominations. The identity of the place is traditional craftsmanship. often associated with the famous fortified Sewerage system: Rupea, Hoghiz, Homorod

8 9 The town of Rupea The town of Rupea (5,537 inhabitants) is a The museum collections are other elements The Rupea Fortress and Dominating the lonely basalt cliff with its imposing silhouette, former Saxon Seat, preserving its traditional of attraction. The town hall is aware of the the Rupea Fortress incites the curiosity of everyone who travels division into neighbourhoods. It was known value and potential of the city and supports the Republicii Street between Brașov and Sighișoara. By its looks, one might believe as a developed trade centre; in 1433 it was the local development initiatives. Over the that the local legend, which says it was built by giants, was true. mentioned in documents as a market town, past years, investments have been made in famous throughout Transylvania. At the time infrastructure, but also in the restoration of The fortress was mentioned in a document for the first time in of Matthias Corvinus (1458–1490), 12 craft monuments – especially the fortress. 1324. It has expanded in time, reaching an area of 1.44 hectares, guilds were active in Rupea. with three concentric enclosures and nine relatively well preserved Various sustainable local businesses have towers. Currently it can be visited, following an extensive There are two main tourist attractions – boomed, such as the carpet factory based restoration project, completed in June 2013 by local authorities. the fortress on the hill and the Evangelical on ecological processes or the buffalo milk Lutheran church. The latter is the home of processing plant. Now it is the time for the fortress to return to life; partners are the oldest working organ in Transylvania. sought for developing a multi-functional and dynamic cultural centre inside the fortress.

As we get down on the Cetății Street, we get to the town centre, where the old Saxon Republicii Street begins. Part of the traditional architecture was preserved. Many investment Contact Daniela Dărăbanț Contact Daniela Dărăbanț opportunities related to cultural tourism and creative [email protected] [email protected] entrepreneurship are available here.

10 11 Hoghiz Hoghiz is one of the most important natural and cultural attractions in the villages The Guthman-Valenta Castle communes of the Rupea-Cohalm region; of Hoghiz and in the surrounding areas; it has 5,200 inhabitants and 5 villages (Bogata, they can support, in a harmonious manner, Cuciulata, Dopca, Fântâna and Lupșa). the sustainable local development. The Guthman-Valenta Castle, the Haller a Renaissance air; some architectural More than a quarter of the population is of Castle and the Kalnoky Castle are elements have remained visible to the day. Hungarian origin. In economic terms, Hoghiz This is a non-comprehensive list of these landmarks for the Horghiz commune and Although it is currently in an advanced is one of the most developed in the region. attractions: the Cotul Turzun, Valea Bogății the surrounding areas. All three buildings stage of decay, the castle impresses due to Moreover, investors receive facilities, Forest and Cheile Dopca reserves, the Aron were built in the 16th century, but their fate the corner bastion and the large interior such as land, in order to contribute to the Pumnul memorial house and the Cuciulata is different. One of them is now a private spaces. After the World War II, like many prosperity of the area. wooden church, the Reformed church and residence, another one is used as a school, other properties, the castle had various the Unitarian church, the Haller, Kalnoky and the third – the Guthman-Valenta Castle – administrative and economic functions, The economic development is backed by and Guthman-Valenta castles in Hoghiz. is waiting for investors to help it return to life. which has led to its continuous destruction, the sewerage system and the natural gas particularly given that it hasn’t been used distribution network. There are various Built in 1553, this castle was a noble for two decades. Thus, it needs an urgent residence. After the changes made in intervention in order to regain its place as a the 18th century, the building has gained focal point and a dynamic community centre.

Contact Kerestely Elena Contact Kerestely Elena [email protected] [email protected]

12 13 Racoș The village was first mentioned in 1377. Other landmarks are the river pass, the The Sükösd-Bethlen Castle Currently, Racoș has about 3,500 residents, Karhago fossils, a spectacular extinct volcano more than half of them Hungarian. and the Sükösd-Bethlen castle. The latter is Its main economic activities are agriculture located right in the centre of the village and An inscription states that this monument a noble residence for most part of its and mining – the basalt resources are located impresses with its rectangular tower with coat was erected in 1624; it is believed that it existence. In this context, attention was nearby. Moreover, the basalt columns in Racoș of arms and the size of the corner bastions. was placed on the ruins of a monastery. paid to interior decoration, but its former have been declared a natural monument; Throughout the centuries, the castle was glory was not preserved in its entirety. they are a unique tourist attraction. owned by important people such as Peter The locals still remember, for example, Budai – a politician close to the voivods in the Knights Hall, famous for its beauty, and , Samuel Bethlen which no longer exists. – captain general of Mureș, or Sámuel Teleki – explorer and scholar. They made Currently, the Sükösd-Bethlen castle successive changes to the building, which is in public ownership. The local today looks like a Neo-Renaissance administration seeks partners for restoring fortress with round defensive towers. its former reputation and for turning it into a Despite its military looks, the castle was stylish cultural and tourist destination.

Contact László Ferencz Contact László Ferencz [email protected] [email protected]

14 15 Jimbor The Jimbor village was attested since 1432. Besides the beauty and richness of the The Jimbor Fortress The Zolya (Molnar) House Once, it was a Saxon settlement, but now natural environment, the Homorod the large part of the population is of commune and the Jimbor village are also Hungarian origins. In administrative terms, home to outstanding monuments: a fortified North-West of the village Jimbor, on the top of a wooded hill, This house is typical for the Rupea Seat areas that are inhabited mainly the Jimbor village belongs to the Homorod evangelical church in Homorod, one in an unimproved pathway takes us to the Jimbor Fortress. by Hungarians; it was built in 1781, as a private residence. commune, which is even older – it was Mercheașa (another village of the Homorod It was built in the 14th century by Saxon colonists. Its main features are the exterior walls, nicely decorated. mentioned in a document in 1250. commune), and one in Jimbor, and a peasant Two centuries later, the fortress got under the care of the fortress in Jimbor. Hungarian community and about another two centuries after It is located in the heart of the Jimbor village, near the cultural centre The entire area is picturesque and rich in it was abandoned, as it was no longer needed. and close to the road to the city outskirts, which could be an asset if mineral resources. Until a few decades ago, Traditions are still alive and popular festivals this beautiful building became a public space. Homorod hosted a SPA resort, with mineral are held annually, such as Grape Fest, Today, it is a mysterious and attractive presence, but it has waters and sulphurous mud. Jimbor has a festival of Hungarians in Jimbor. not kept much of the structures within its walls. In addition, The owner and the local administration invite partners who are willing preserved the tradition of using salt water the state of preservation is not very good, but, provided to engage in the project aimed at turning the building into a unique from special wells for household use. it is restored properly, it can become very suitable for the cultural and educational centre in the region. development of unique cultural activities and could be used as a huge outdoors “playground”.

Contact Béla Lórincz Contact Béla Lórincz [email protected] [email protected]

16 17 Development opportunities

www.cultema.eu/heritage_platform ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

The variety and quality of the natural and The CULTEMA European project supports The online platform lists the proposals for The CULTEMA – Cultural Value for Sustainable This large partnership is based on the cultural attractions in the Rupea-Cohalm this process by providing an online partnership and the description of historical Territorial Governance and Marketing project assumption that cultural values are region can support the sustainable platform that allows those interested in monuments in Romania (the Rupea area), is funded under the South East Europe intangible assets with potential for the social development of the area. the sustainable capitalization of the cultural but also from other European countries, Transnational Cooperation Programme and and economic development and, given this heritage to find partners for projects of in need of investors. implemented under the coordination of the potential, they should play a key role in The first steps have been taken in the rehabilitation of historical monuments. Veneto Region of Italy. The Ministry strengthening public strategies. Against the last decade, through several projects Also, owners of buildings of public interest of Culture of Romania has partnered with background of globalization, the immovable aimed at improving local infrastructure There are various projects, starting from who wish to attract partners for their other ministries, regional development cultural heritage is a strategic asset that and at promoting the region. The public restoring heritage buildings and turning them restoration may register them on this agencies, universities, chambers of commerce needs to be mobilized, preserved and administration authorities and local into luxury hotels, to developing dynamic platform, in order to find investors. and NGOs in Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, managed efficiently. communities are keen on various cultural centres for local communities. Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. partnerships which would result in the Thus, a series of instruments have been prosperity of the parties involved. developed under the project; the aim is to assist local authorities and managers of historic monuments in providing effective governance of cultural values and in identifying and attracting private partners for projects of rehabilitation and recovery For further details of the immovable heritage. Contact Claudia Romanescu on the project, please visit: www.cultema.eu [email protected] www.cultema.umpcultura.ro

18 CULTEMA Cultural Heritage for Local Development www.cultema.eu/heritage_platform www.cultema.umpcultura.ro

MINISTRY OF CULTURE Project Management Unit 22 Unirii Boulevard, 030833, Bucharest

Project Coordinator: Claudia Romanescu [email protected]