The Roman Catholic Church of Saint Michael in Mihăileni

In the middle of the green expanses, a white silhouette and the tower soaring towards the blue sky attract your attention from afar. It is the Roman Catholic church in Mihăileni, Harghita county. The village was mentioned in charters for the first time in the years 1332-1334 under the name of Sancto Michaele.

The one from 1490 was probably built on the foundations of the old church, which was rebuilt several times after the Turkish-Tatar attacks. But, like a true spiritual fortress, it has stood the test of time to this day. The church, excellently restored, has Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architectural elements, offering the visitor a unique experience. The frescoes discovered in the current area of the church choir, depicting scenes from the Legend of Saint Ladislaus, as well as other fragments of wall paintings, will help you better understand the history of the Szeklers.

During the restorations, it was accidentally found the altar painting from the 1700s, which can still be seen today.

Mihăileni is also the birthplace of one of the oldest village laws, from 1639, which shows the community's involvement in joint decision-making. A trip to these lands can be a real lesson in history, but also in life! 

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Architectural features

Surrounded by a defensive wall, like a fortress, the church has a four-tiered tower and arched windows at the top. The entrance to it from the outside is through an imposing stone door, in the Renaissance style specific to the end of the 16th century.

The sanctuary of the church is made in late Gothic style, vaulted and supported by buttresses at the corners. The inner western entrance is attached to the nave and has a door that most likely dates from the 13th and 14th centuries, perhaps being the oldest part of the building.

In 2021, the holy place was rehabilitated, and today it can only be visited from the outside, access to the church being allowed exclusively during religious services. Visitors who arrive here at the right time can enjoy the elegant beauty inside the edifice.

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Representation of the Legend of Saint Ladislaus

 The fresco showing the legend of Saint Ladislaus was painted around 1420, but only a few fragments are still visible today.

The original image captured the moment when, according to legend, the bishop of Oradea blessed the king as he prepared to go into battle. Moreover, the fragment in the lower register shows the figure of Saint Ladislaus, the upper part of his body and his face, as well as the face of the girl from the scene of the Beheading.

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Priceless treasures

Two medallions from 1934 immortalizing the Annunciation and the Last Supper were brought to light in the sanctuary.

The outer walls of the place preserve even today a fresco depicting Saint Elizabeth healing a sick child, as well as a rather rare painting with the Holy Virgin nursing the baby Jesus.

An interesting detail accompanies the central painting of the altar, which represents Saint Michael the Archangel. The painting was made in the 1700s, but for a very long time it was covered by another, more recent one, which represented the same saint, but made more in tune with the canons of the period. It is said that during the recent renovations of the building, while the workers were working, the scaffolding in front of the altar collapsed and, in the fall, tore the canvas of the altar painting, revealing the original painting. Through the care of the community, it has been restored and thus we can also admire it.

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Unique experiences

Don't leave Mihăileni in a hurry, because it still has a lot to offer. Here is also the Biális Mansion, the Mill built at the beginning of the 19th century, as well as a wooden house dating back to 1889.

In addition, here you can discover the Caracău Viaduct, considered to be the most important construction on the railway section between Miercurea - Ciuc and Ghimeş. It was commissioned on October 18, 1897, and unites Moldova with Transylvania.