About Kászon

       The basin of the Kászon's is located in the Eastern range of the Carpathians, in the Csík (Ciuc) Mountains. It lies in the Kászon spring's valley and consists of five villages (Altíz, Feltíz, Impér, Jakabfalva and Újfalu). These settlements have their administrative centre in Kászonaltíz (Plăieşii de Jos). Kászon can be approached easily both from Csík (Miercurea-Ciuc) and Kézdi (Târgu Secuiesc) and long served as an important crossing-point among the so called "seats of the seklers". Between these two important historical "seats" Kászonszék preserved as an independent administrative unit, became a densely populated, self- sufficient region with specific folk culture characteristics.

       Kászon is surrounded by a rich natural environment. The plateau where it is situated is at an altitude of approx. 700 m and is surrounded by 1100-1300 metre-high mountains covered with pine and deciduous forests, meadows full of wild flowers, pastures and clean mountain springs. One of the most precious values of the region are its mineral water resources, which had their golden age at the beginning of the 1900's, when there was a great bathing resort culture here. There were four outstanding sites, whose mineral waters were bottled with special labels, and there were hotels, restaurants, and warmed water spas. In the vicinity of Kászonszék there are about one hundred sources of mineral water, which have healing properties relating to different diseases (eye, stomach, skin and heart problems, rheumatism, diabetes, etc.).

       Kászon is located close to many natural attractions. Half a day's walk away is Eastern Europe's only volcanic-lake the Szent Anna (Saint Ann) Lake, and next to it is the peat moss Mohos. Bálványos is well known among its various sources and its famous castle and the Smelly Cave (sulphur cave). The peaks of the Nemere Mountain reach 1649 metres. In the valley of the Lassúág (Slow Creek) spring one can find many peat mosses with petrified plants and remnants from the ice-age. The neighbouring Úz valley is a wild gorge crossed by a powerful mountain stream, surrounded by steep rocks and dense pine woods.

In the Nyergestető, the Úz valley and the Ojtoz pass there were important battles during the Hungarian war of independence in 1848 and in the I and II World Wars.

       Due to its isolation, the traditions are well preserved in Kászon. The inhabitants live in a traditional way, keeping animals, farming, and growing vegetables, fruits and cereals for their own use. They prepare their own dairy products such as cheeses, bake their own bread, and preserve fruits, and consequently are less dependant on the outside world.

They make handicrafts as well: women weave and make embroideries, men carve and make furniture, and there are many other crafts which can still be found here. Kászon's 100-150 year old buildings of folk architecture are monuments of know-how, showing how attractive, healthy and environmental friendly homes can be built for generations using simple tools and natural materials.

       All these traditions and ancient wisdom, along with the rich natural environment, have inestimable value and have served to sustain a community for centuries. Our duty is to preserve these values and use the knowledge because it could form the livelihood of the future generations. We believe that it is worth using this basis as a solid fund to build a sustainable community.

For this reason, we launched the KÁSZONSZÉK ECOVILLAGE initiative.

       Further information about Kászon can be found at the website www.kaszon.ro