Felsősófalva (Ocna de Sus)
Main sights and attractions of Felsősófalva (Ocna de Sus)
The small Székely-Hungarian village of Felsősófalva is one of the oldest settlements in the Land of Salt, mentioned in historical documents as early as 1493 under the name “Soofalva”.
Location
The village lies 32 km northwest of Odorheiu Secuiesc, on the right bank of the Korond Stream – locally called “Nagyvíz” – 3 km southeast of Praid. It is a central settlement of the Land of Salt, in the western part of the former Udvarhely Seat. To the west lie Praid, Sovata (15 km), Illyésmező (17 km), and Sóvárad (19 km); eastwards are Békástanya (Sófalvi Hill, 3 km), Pálpataka (9 km), Fenyőkút (9 km), Korond (5 km), and the Kalonda Plateau (10–12 km). To the southeast lies Atyha (5 km) and to the south Alsósófalva (1 km). Felsősófalva also borders Gheorgheni-Alfalu and Csomafalva, once accessible via the historic Salt Road – today a hiking trail!
Important mountain peaks nearby: Bekecs-tető (1080 m), Mező-havas (1777 m), Bucsin-tető (1287 m), Putna Pass (1138 m), Verőfény-sarka (1436 m), Firtos-hegy (1063 m), and Siklódi-kő (1028 m).
Sights and Points of Interest
Reformed Church – built in Gothic style in the 13th–14th centuries. During floor repairs in 1999, foundations of an earlier 13th-century church were discovered. Originally Roman Catholic, the church became Reformed after the Reformation, when locals adopted the new faith. The tabernacle niche from the original church remains visible to the right of the pulpit. A carved stone baptismal font, unearthed years ago, now stands again inside the church. According to church records, the tower was added in 1777, and the present structure was rebuilt between 1802–1806, preserving its Gothic western portal with ancient Székely runic inscriptions.
Elementary School – The Reformed school of the village was first mentioned in 1565. The current impressive building was constructed in the 1880s and expanded in the 20th century with three classrooms to accommodate over 400 pupils. In 2000, villagers decided to name it after the only Székely prince, Székely Mózes. During the ceremony, a marble relief of the prince, created by Parajdi Sándor, was unveiled.
Town Hall – Built in the early 1940s, it once housed the joint administration of Alsó- and Felsősófalva. It also hosted the communal cinema. After Sófalva lost its independence, the building was used by the Agricultural Cooperative, and following 1990 became a medical clinic with a doctor’s apartment upstairs.
War Memorial – The churchyard is surrounded by a stone wall resembling a fortress, in front of which stands a carved stone monument dedicated to soldiers who died in the World Wars. It depicts a Székely man and woman mourning the fallen, with the inscription “For the Homeland!”. The names of the heroes are engraved on both sides. The monument was designed and created by local salt miner and sculptor Parajdi Sándor.
Cultural House – Built in the mid-1950s, it hosted the village library until 1968 and the folk theatre until the 1990s. Traditional Székely dances were performed here until the mid-90s. Since 1995, it has hosted the Székely Folk Dance Camp, held annually during the third week of July, where participants learn traditional dances from the Salt Region, Csík, Udvarhely, Mezőség, Kalotaszeg and Moldova. On its façade, in 2004, a relief sculpture by Parajdi Sándor was unveiled, depicting Székely folk dancers and the famous Nyicu band.
Village Museum – East of the village centre, on the main road, stands the oldest family house from the late 18th century. Its special feature is a rear door, built for escape during frequent Tatar raids. The building is under heritage protection. The Reformed Church of Felsősófalva plans to establish an ethnographic museum here.
