A half-day trip along the Maros and the Nyárád. The two great church monuments of Târgu Mureș – the medieval fortress church and the Baroque parish church of St John the Baptist – can be visited on foot; from there it is about 40 minutes by car to the Franciscan friary of Mikháza in the Nyárád valley, an important station and starting point of Mary's Way (Via Mariae).
Stops along the route
- 1
Reformed Fortress Church – Târgu Mureș
The oldest building in the town was built as the Gothic church of the medieval Franciscan friary and was enlarged in the mid-15th century with the support of John Hunyadi. It stands within the walls of the town citadel built in the early 17th century; during restoration, fragments of a St Ladislaus legend were uncovered on the north wall of the nave.
The Reformed parish provides information on opening hours.
- a few hundred metres · approx. 10 min walk
- 2
St John the Baptist Parish Church – Târgu Mureș
The twin-towered Baroque church on Roses Square was built by the Jesuits: its foundation stone was laid in 1728 and it was consecrated in 1750. The high altar was made in 1755, and the church has its own Museum of Ecclesiastical Art.
Open during Mass and in the daytime; the parish provides information on the museum's opening hours.
- 33 km · approx. 40 min by car
- 3
Franciscan Friary – Mikháza
The church dedicated to St Stephen the King was completed in 1678; the Late Renaissance building is adorned with sgraffito decoration and stone frames of a beauty rare in Transylvania. From 1669, a secondary school operated in the friary for more than a century.
It is best to arrange a visit in advance; a virtual tour of the friary is available on the Visit Mures website.
Good to know
- In Târgu Mureș both churches can be visited on foot: park in the town centre and walk from there.
- From Mikháza you can also continue on foot along Mary's Way.
- In church, clothing covering shoulders and knees is appropriate; please do not take photos during services.
Feasts along the route
- Reformation Day 202731 October 2027
Further reading
- On the way – Pilgrimage routes of Szeklerland
- Keepers of the faith – Franciscan friaries in Szeklerland
- Four received religions, one land – The historic churches of Szeklerland
Where to stay along the route
Distances and travel times are approximate (based on OpenStreetMap routing) and may vary with local road conditions.
