Cata Commune is located at the north side of Brasov county, in the south-east of Transylvanian Plateau. Its unpolluted area, at the crossing between Tarnava hills and the volcanic massif Persani, in Homoroade Depression, on Homorodul Mare River, is a frequent destination of the free and antis-tress tourism.
Wild Cats Furs
The first German colonists have been brought from Transylvania at the middle of the XII century; the first document mentioning them dates back to 1192, while the most ancient historical mention of village Cata was made a century later. The name?s origin is to be found in the German word ?Katzendorf? ? the cats? village. The etymology is originated on the quota of wild cat furs that the local population had to pay regularly to the Magyar Royal Court.
One German Family left
Five villages compose today the commune: the inhabitants are mostly Romanians, while the rest of the populations is constituted from Magyars, Germans and Gypsies. The Germans used to be once in majority, but today there is only a family left ?Most of them left Romania after the Great War, followed by the others immediately after 1989. Many of them return on holidays? mayor Stefan Isopel stated.
The seven Seats
Four orthodox churches, one unitarian and two evangelic can be visited in the area. What really define the commune?s architectural image are the old German strongholds, erected around the churches. In the middle of the commune there is an evangelic church surrounded by a fortified stronghold, erected in the 12th century, as a Romanic basilica. This is where the German inhabitants kept the seven seats, the sign of their presence here. The fastened German strongholds of Beia and Drauseni villages, erected around the churches, had as initial aim the protection against the invasion of the 14th- 15th centuries.
Hunting and Gastronomy
Cata commune is included within the forest range Rupea, having its one hunting area where the keen hunters can trace the boar, the bear, the fox, the wolf or the rabbit. The tourists can organize one day hikes or ridings and can be accommodated at the local households, where they can enjoy the traditional gastronomy. Thanks to the lack of pollution, Homorodul Mare River has plenty of fish. The hills with their reach flora and fauna, surrounded by farmlands and pasturages, are another touring attraction.
As the mayor stated, among the future projects to be unfolded in Cata there is the water supply network, by capturing the various springs in the area.
