Remembrance of Queen Réka

Even the great chronicler Balázs Orbán recorded in his work Description of Szeklerland that Vârghiș, 57 kilometres northwest of Sfântu Gheorghe and 9 kilometres northwest of Baraolt, in the eastern foothills of the Perșani Mountains, by the Vârghiș Stream, is famous not only for its history during the Mongol invasion and for the Daniel Castle, but also for its lesser-known Roman Catholic chapel from the era of the Árpád dynasty. Research on the site of the chapel suggests that the tomb of Réka, the wife of Attila, the great Hun leader, would have been there. However, the study of the foundations of the buildings suggests that there was a chapel there and a monastery or coenobium nearby. Tradition also supports the hypothesis that there was a sanctuary for monks, or monastic dwelling, next to the Roman Catholic church dedicated to Saint Martin. All in all, the Romanesque church in Alszeg must have been built in the 13th century, and on its foundations stands the Reformed church designed by Imre Makovecz - the "treasure church of Makovecz", as many call it. During the construction works, an ancient baptismal font decorated with runic inscriptions was also found and is now on display in the church. During the excavations, 55 coins from the 15th century were unearthed, coins from 1430-1437, coins of King Sigismund I, including one coin of King John Hunyadi and one of King Matthias I, which are now part of the collection of the Székely National Museum.

Samu Csinta