A one-day journey east from Csíksomlyó to the former eastern border of historic Hungary. On the way, the St Ladislaus memorial awaits on the slope of Kicsi-Pogány-havas above Csíkszépvíz, and the final stop is Kontumác in Gyimesbükk: the mother church of the Gyimes valley, the Rákóczi Castle and railway guardhouse No. 30.
Stops along the route
- 1
Pilgrimage Church and Franciscan Friary – Csíksomlyó
The Pilgrimage Church of Our Lady of the Visitation is one of the best-known Hungarian places of pilgrimage, welcoming several hundred thousand pilgrims a year. The present twin-towered Baroque church was built between 1804 and 1876 and has been a basilica since 1948. Its greatest treasure is the 227-centimetre statue of the Virgin Mary carved from lime wood in the early 16th century.
It is worth walking up to the saddle between the two Somlyó hills, where the open-air Mass of the Whitsun pilgrimage is held.
- 11 km · approx. 15 min by car
- 2
St Ladislaus Memorial on Pogány-havas – Csíkszépvíz
Above Csíkszépvíz, on the lower slope of Kicsi-Pogány-havas, the ruins of a chapel forgotten for centuries preserve the memory of St Ladislaus. Today a bell tower stands beside them, and on the knight-king's feast day the village's pilgrimage leads here. The 17th-century chapel ruins were excavated in 2010; the bell tower was blessed in 2012.
The memorial site can only be reached on foot. The 8.5-km “Springs over hill and dale” educational trail starts in the village centre and leads past the memorial site to Fügés-tető; allow a few hours for the hike.
- 38 km · approx. 50 min by car
- 3
Church of the Assumption at Kontumác – Gyimesbükk
The mother church of the Gyimes valley was founded by the Franciscans of Csíksomlyó in 1782, beside the former quarantine station (contumacia). Nearby stand the Rákóczi Castle, rebuilt in 2026, and No. 30, the easternmost guardhouse of the Hungarian State Railways, built in 1897.
A side road of a few hundred metres leads to the church from national road 12. Administratively, Gyimesbükk belongs to Bacău County.
Good to know
- The Pogány-havas memorial can only be reached on foot: allow a few hours for the hike and bring suitable shoes and water.
- At Kontumác, the church, the Rákóczi Castle and guardhouse No. 30 stand close together and can be visited on foot.
- Gyimesbükk already belongs to Bacău County; the road crosses the Csík Mountains, so in winter it is worth checking snow conditions.
- In church, clothing covering shoulders and knees is appropriate; please do not take photos during services.
Feasts along the route
- St Ladislaus Day Pilgrimage – Pogány-havas, Csíkszépvíz27 June 2027
- Feast of the Assumption – Gyimesbükk15 August 2027
- 2027 Csíksomlyó Whitsun Pilgrimage14–17 May 2027
Further reading
- The secrets of Csíksomlyó – The history and significance of the pilgrimage
- On the way – Pilgrimage routes of Szeklerland
- Faith set in stone – The fortified churches and frescoes 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.
