Among the localities in the Ciuc Depression, Harghita County, there is also Cârța, a cosy locality with neat streets and houses, hospitable locals and very beautiful architectural monuments. Among all these, the Roman Catholic Church stands out. It was built in the first half of the 15th century in late Gothic style, defended by a circular stone fortification that surrounds the church. However, it is assumed that before this building, there was a church built in Romanesque style.
Brief historical insight
The “Assumption of the Virgin” Roman Catholic Church at Cârța is a historical monument, built between 1444-1720 in late Gothic style, completed with a side nave in 1796, being thus composed of an E-W axis nave, with a north-facing sanctuary, southern portico, northern chapel, sacristy consisting of two rooms and an external staircase on the southern side ensuring access to the organ stand. The loft has ribs embedded in keystones decorated with reliefs.
As a result of multiple reconstructions, today the building shows some changes. In 1796, the building underwent a major transformation. By demolishing the west tower, the west wall of the nave and a section of the sanctuary, the nave of the church was extended both to the west and to the east, the southern side chapel and the northern sacristy were also demolished, and a side chapel was created on each side and a new sacristy was created in the north.
The entrance to the church yard is under a tower completed at the beginning of the 16th century and rebuilt in 1720. The fortification with walls over eight metres high includes a patrolling walkway, which was well preserved, that can be used today also. If you go on this patrolling walkway, you can admire the church from different angles and so your experience will be very special. From the small windows of this patrolling walkway you can see the picturesque surroundings of the hill on which the fortified assembly stands. Cârța, with its church, is certainly an ecclesiastical landmark not to be missed.
Specifics of the area
No written documents on the formation of the village have been preserved, but given the establishment of the Szeklers in the Ciuc Depression and the development of their shelters in villages, we can assume that it was at the end of the 12th century – the beginning of the 13th century.
But if, according to historians, we take into account the evidence of papal tithes in the years 1332-1333, it is certain that Cârța already existed then as a settlement, along with other neighbouring villages.
Invaluable treasures
Among the oldest objects in the church, a stone baptismal font and a Gothic tabernacle are worth mentioning. But just as special is the Baroque altar. It presents the ascension of St. Virgin Mary in heaven, the icons of Saints Stephen of Hungary and Ladislaus I of Hungary on both sides. There are two additional altars towards the nave and a late Baroque pulpit. The current main altar was made in neo-Gothic style, in the second half of the 19th century.
The organ of the church, still functional today, is in a high, beautifully decorated tribune.
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