Ika Fortress

At the northern end of Upper Cernat, above the confluence of the Ika Stream and the Cernat or Great Stream, lies a mountain called "Várbérc" (Citadel Peak), where the Ika Fortress is located - a recently restored monument, in relatively intact condition, from the former Three Chairs County, now Covasna County, or as the locals call it, the Truncated Tower of Cernat.

The fortress is an elongated stronghold, with parallel walls, curved at its narrow ends, with towers attached to the fortress walls on the east and west sides. Excavations and arrangements around the southern tower have revealed a rich archaeological material consisting of fragments of pottery, nails, arrowheads, bronze pins, and a belt buckle.

Exploring a section of the old fortress wall shows that the cylindrical tower of the fortress was built later, probably in the 14th century. The fortress itself is older than this, probably dating back to the 13th century. The Ika Fortress should be considered a major fortress.

It may have received its current name after the collapse of the upper part of the southern tower, as it was named the Truncated Fortress, starting in the 18th century, while the name of Ika Fortress was primarily attributed by János Ferentzi and later by Balázs Orbán, referring to the legendary chieftain Ika.

The fortress is associated with numerous folk beliefs, once believed to be protected by an invisible force and that no moved stone could remain unpunished. According to one of these folk tales, the miller who lived at the foot of the fortress, angered by his hysterical wife, decided to break the northern face of the fortress so that it would fall on the mill and demolish it, but as soon as he touched the stones with his hand, his hands dried up, and a sudden torrential rain swept away the mill along with the miller's wife.

Another story tells that, against the background of a bet made, a lad began to demolish the peak of the fortress but was instantly struck down by a lightning bolt out of the blue. These stories and legends preserved in folklore and popular belief have protected the castle from final destruction.

There have also been legends about the construction of the castle. According to one of them, it was built by giants. They were "so tall that one of them stood with one foot in the stream and handed stones to his companion, who placed them in the walls of the tower at the top of the hill."

Another story recorded is that the castle was built by one of King Póka's commanders, who fled from Balvanyos Citadel but did not live long there because he was killed in a battle fought nearby. His name is still preserved as a place name, "Póka's Mound" beside the road to Târgu Secuiesc.

According to another legend, for a while, a winged giant moved into the tower, followed by a giant serpent, who was so large that he wrapped his tail around the tower and bowed his head to drink from the stream. He took possession of the place, and the legend says that at one point a knight, coming from afar, named Brave Ika, killed him.