Székely Land

Székely Land or Szeklerland (Romanian: Ţinutul Secuiesc; Hungarian: Székelyföld) is a historic and ethnographic area in Romania, inhabited mainly by the Székelys, a subgroup of the Hungarian people. Its cultural centre is the city of Miercurea Ciuc (Hungarian: Csíkszereda).

History

The Székelys are considered by most scholars to be a Hungarian subgroup, descended from a combination of the late Avar settlers and the main Hungarian population. They played a key role in the defense of the Kingdom of Hungary during the Middle Ages.

Geography

Székely Land is located in the eastern part of Transylvania, and includes parts of three Romanian counties: Harghita, Covasna, and Mureș. It is surrounded by the Eastern Carpathians and the Transylvanian Plateau.

Culture

The Székelys have a rich cultural heritage, with unique traditions, costumes, and dialects. They are known for their wood carving, pottery, and weaving crafts. The region is also home to several important cultural and historical sites, such as the Siculicidium monument and the Szekler National Museum.

Autonomy Movements

There have been several movements for autonomy or independence in Székely Land, driven by the Székelys' desire to preserve their unique culture and language. These movements have been met with resistance from the Romanian government.

See Also

• Hungarians in Romania
• History of Transylvania
• Autonomy movements in Romania