The Transylvanian Curias Route takes us on a journey through the estates of the Hungarian nobility, where imposing buildings, sumptuous gardens, farms, and stables transport us back in time, evoking stories of forgotten history and of the people who contributed to its creation. The glory days of these buildings coincided with a period of political and cultural renaissance, reshaping the destiny of Transylvania.

Along this journey, a multitude of curiosities are revealed, and we hope that some of them will encourage you to plan a trip soon. Below, we have gathered 5 such unique details we discovered on the Transylvanian Curias Route, and we invite you to explore them.

At Bánffy Castle in Nușfalău, there is a local legend that says Albert Bánffy, the owner of the castle, was walking one day with a friend along the banks of the Barcău River. Noticing the thick reeds on the opposite bank, resembling a jungle, his friend jokingly asked the baron, "What's here? Brazil?" Today, 200 years later, the villagers have kept the saying, and it remains a part of their language: the village is on the southern side of the Barcău, and on the northern side, they say it’s Brazil. Find out more about Bánffy Castle in Nușfalău here.

Is Mikó Castle in Olteni a Transylvanian replica of the Élysée Palace in Paris? Experts point out clear similarities in the building’s facade and layout, but even without a firm answer, you’ll be convinced that the imposing building in Olteni is unique in its own way. The castle is renowned for its mural paintings, which are unique in Central Europe, traditionally attributed to the versatile Transylvanian craftsman Péter Bodor. The frescoes adorn five of the castle’s rooms and depict a variety of themes: hunting scenes, harsh depictions of the Napoleonic wars, and idyllic landscapes of European cities. Moreover, in the count's bedroom, you can admire a key scene from the life of Napoleon Bonaparte, specifically a copy of Horace Vernet's painting Adieux de Fontainebleau. Find out more about Mikó Castle in Olteni here.

At Thury-Bányai Castle in Tamașfalău, Covasna County, one of the village elders, Mr. Béla Szőcs, born in 1920, recalls a family story related to a piece of furniture in the castle owned by Gergely Thúry. The legend of the green table comes to life: it is said that Gergely Thúry was very fond of gambling. So much so that one day, he paid a heavy price for his "entertainment." Village gossip says that Mr. Kristóf, Mr. Bányai's father, won all of Gergely Thúry's properties in Tamásfalvi, including the castle and even his wife. The enormous loss shook Mr. Thúry so much that he asked for one more round of cards to win back at least his wife – Mária Bíró of Csíkszentkirály. Find out more about Thury-Bányai Castle in Tamașfalău here.

Located on the rural streets of Armășeni, Harghita County, the beautiful Adorján Imre Manor invites you to step through its gates. And not just any gate, but an imposing Szekler wooden gate, built in 1828, one of the ten oldest gates in the area, decorated in a unique style. The Latin inscription on the gate confirms, from the entrance, that this was a wealthy home. The Adorján family manor, a true masterpiece of architecture in the Fișag Valley region, reflects the status of the Szekler nobility and showcases the good life of the 19th century as it was. Find out more about Adorján Imre Manor in Armășeni, Harghita County, here.

Jakó Zsigmond grew up and spent his youth at the Baranyi-Jakó Manor in Mișca, Bihor County, which was once owned by his grandfather. He was a well-known Hungarian historian of the 20th century, born in Transylvania. Considered an extraordinary scholar, Jakó Zsigmond dedicated his life to the study of medieval cultural history and auxiliary historical sciences. As one of the most respected figures in Hungarian historiography in Hungary and Romania, his work was clearly influenced by the cultural heritage of his family, the Jakó family, with a 700-year history in Bihor County. Find out more about Baranyi-Jakó Manor here.