Reformed Church of Lutița

The most important tourist attraction in Lutița is the ensemble of the Reformed church, built-in Gothic style. The ensemble consists of the church and the stone-built defensive enclosure wall surrounding it. Embedded in one side of the enclosure wall is the old gate tower, later transformed into a bell tower. It was built in 1628 and features an ancient wrought-iron clock mechanism. The church is also known for its mural paintings depicting scenes from the Legend of Saint Ladislaus.

Story of the place

Lutița is a small village in Harghita County, where architectural traditions with both Szekler and Saxon influences are prevalent. Folk events and culinary traditions attract numerous tourists throughout the year. The name of the village, Lutița, is closely linked to the Szekler National Assembly, which took place in 1506, as well as to the events of 1848.

Archaeological research has shown that the present church was preceded by a religious building from the Arpadian period. It is presumed that this small church was destroyed by fire. The Arpadian church was replaced in the 14th century with a new construction. Approximately from that period, the exterior mural paintings and the fresco fragment above the southern entrance to the church, a very beautiful representation of the Vir dolorum, are dated.

The church enclosure wall was most likely built in the 16th century. Research on the wall identified two walled entrances: one opening towards the parish courtyard, with a closure in the form of a segmental arch (walled in the 19th century), the other has a closure in a broken arch, and opened in the eastern vicinity of the gate tower.

At the end of 2020, restoration works began on the Reformed church in Lutița. During the restoration, in the fall of 2021, specialists discovered fresco fragments from the medieval period on the northern wall of the nave. After removing layers of plaster and whitewash, the details revealed allowed for the identification of their theme: scenes from the Legend of Saint Ladislaus, a very popular theme in churches from Szeklerland in the medieval period.

The fragments discovered in Lutița can be dated to the end of the 14th century, and through detailed analysis, the scene of the battle between St. Ladislaus and the Cuman who abducted a Hungarian girl was identified. The figure of the Cuman, dressed in a kind of coat, and the silhouette of the girl, the latter cutting the Cuman's leg tendon with Saint Ladislaus's halberd, can be clearly distinguished.

Unique Experiences

Upon entering the village of Lutița, you can visit the Lutița Memorial House – dedicated to the 1848 revolution and the National Assembly of Lutița. It is located on the field where these events took place.

If you are passionate about history and wish to continue exploring Harghita County, you can also visit the Szekler Border Guards Memorial Center in the village of Frumoasa. Don't forget to relax in nature at Lake Sfânta Ana or have fun with your children by visiting Mini Transylvania Park near the town of Odorheiu Secuiesc or the Straw Hat Museum in Crișeni.