Halchiu, past and present
|
|
Halchiu situated in the County of Brasov, was first attested in a document of 1211 when King of Hungary, Andrei II awarded to Tara Barsei the Order of the Teutonic Knights. German colonists, later on called Transylvanian Saxons have been brought here to settle, until 1255. Halchiu appeared on the map of Johannes Honterus in 1532 and together with Satu Nou on the Josephine military map in the period 1769 ? 1772. The village`s coat of arms represents a hero holding a mace in his right hand and a globe/crucifix in his left hand, from which the name of Hedl derives, meaning hero or brave.
The church and its bells
Halchiu is a village with neat and linear streets, stone houses, in the middle of which stands the fortified church with two interior spaces and many towers. The fortification holds inside the Evangelic church built on the site of the one collapsed. The year 1136 is engraved on the old solid tower and 1434 on the big church bell. The bells are considered to be the oldest and the biggest of them has the previously mentioned engraving.
The church has a remarkable altar painted by people in the old German painting school and in the middle of it Jesus Christ stands besides the four evangelists, many saints and Moses with the Tablets of Law.
"Plimbaretii"
"Halchiu is a populated and good-looking village, where Romanian, Transylvanian Saxons and Hungarians live together. In the past, the occupation of the Transylvanian Saxons of Halchiu was carriage transportation because there were no railways at that time. This is why they were called "plimbaretii" (walkers) because they transported to Austria, Germany, as well as to Moldova and Tara Romaneasca. This helped them know the world and made them active, hardworking and prudent. An old saying about plimbaretii refers to them as even better than a Jew. Nowadays, the clean, tidy and welcoming villagers` households stand as proof of their abilities. The history of this place is our visiting card," said Mr. Ioan Garbacea, Mayor of Halchiu.
The Days of Halchiu
Halchiu`s greatest festival is a two-day party named the Days of Halchiu. Many events dedicated to young people are being organized during this event, and also well-preserved customs and traditions which are being recreated to present Halchiu now and then. On this occasion, the children from the local Middle School and the folk dance group "Floare de Castan" of Halchiu along with other famous folk dance groups of Brasov County offer an exceptional show. The event starts with a parade of folk costumes representing three ethnic groups: Romanians, Hungarians and Transylvanian Saxons.
