A one-day journey south from Csíksomlyó through Alcsík to the Csomád crater. At Csíkmenaság one of the most important medieval churches of Alcsík awaits with its painted sanctuary vault, and the final stop is the chapel on the shore of St Anne's Lake in the volcanic crater.
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.
- 22 km · approx. 30 min by car
- 2
Church of the Immaculate Conception – Csíkmenaság
One of the most important medieval churches of Alcsík: the painted star and net vault of the sanctuary shows eight female saints, and the triumphal arch the wise and foolish virgins. Parts of its former winged altar are now in the Hungarian National Gallery in Budapest.
The church can be visited during Mass; the parish provides information about visits.
- 52 km · approx. 55 min by car
- 3
St Anne's Chapel – St Anne's Lake
Standing on the shore of the lake in the volcanic crater of Csomád, at about 950 metres, the chapel is a centuries-old place of pilgrimage; at the late-July feast the pilgrim processions arrive in a procession around the lake.
A road leads to the lake from Sepsibükszád; from the car park it is a 15–20-minute walk, and a minibus runs for elderly and disabled visitors. From Tusnádfürdő a hiking trail takes about an hour and a half. An entrance ticket is required; the reserve's management provides information on fees.
Good to know
- An entrance ticket is required for St Anne's Lake; the shore is a 15–20-minute walk from the car park.
- Bears roam around the lake: keep to the marked paths and follow the picnic rules.
- The nearest church accommodation to the lake is in Tusnádfürdő – see the Pilgrim Accommodation page.
- In church, clothing covering shoulders and knees is appropriate; please do not take photos during services.
Feasts along the route
- St Anne's Pilgrimage at Lake St Anne24–26 July 2027
- 2027 Csíksomlyó Whitsun Pilgrimage14–17 May 2027
Further reading
- Faith set in stone – The fortified churches and frescoes of Szeklerland
- On the way – Pilgrimage routes of Szeklerland
- The secrets of Csíksomlyó – The history and significance of the pilgrimage
Where to stay along the route
Distances and travel times are approximate (based on OpenStreetMap routing) and may vary with local road conditions.
