Halchiu and the treasures of the past
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Halchiu commune, Brasov County, is a locality in Tara Barsei, a land they say it used to be flooded a long time ago. There is a legend which says that the place was haunted by fairies and giants. Inhabitants say that some burglars moved inside the citadels and hid their treasures, thus determining a lot of people to look for them, but they were not to be found so far.
Arrival of the Transylvanian Saxons
Inhabitants also say that it was only when the Transylvanian Saxons arrived, that Hel Hilivin, seen as a German hero, drained out the lake, determining the formation of Tara Barsei. In his memory, Halchiu inserted in its blazon a strong man holding a mace. In his honour, the locality is also called "Hiltvinsdorf" ? Hiltvin?s village.
Nowadays, Halchiu commune is a neat settlement and inhabited by Romanians, Hungarians and Transylvanian Saxons. The local people take pride in the historical legends and preserve the old customs and traditions.
Treasures of the present
Tourists coming nowadays to Halchiu find here emblematic churches, true proofs of the past. They can visit the Evangelical Church from Halchiu (13th century) where the porch with Renaissance paintings (1530) and the biggest medieval altar in Transylvania were preserved up to now. In Halchiu can also be found the Orthodox Church and the Romanian cemetery, the church having written on the external facade that it was built by Hagi Sandru and his wife, celebrating the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel, back in the times of the emperor Leopold the 2nd, in 1791 Christ?s year. The churchgoers paid for its restoration and painting (1958).
Holiday of the commune
"The days of Halchiu" is considered the biggest holiday of the locality. "This holiday is a good opportunity to promote the patrimony of Halchiu commune and to create a connection between the treasures of the past and those of the present. It is marked by a parade of traditional clothing, in the sounds of the songs played by a fanfare and an exceptional artistic show. "Floare de Castan" group and the students of the Secondary School from Halchiu carry on the cultural heritage. We also organize sports contests and honour the citizens of the community who stood out over time", said Mr. Ioan Garbacea, the Mayor of Halchiu.
