Mikó Castle

Lore & Background

The castle is named after Ferenc Mikó, who began building it a decade after becoming supreme captain of the Csíkszék, Gyergyószék and Kászonszék Székely seats. Documents of the time also refer to it as 'Mikó's new citadel'. The first written document to mention the citadel dates to 1631. After Ferenc Mikó's heirs died prematurely, the citadel came into the possession of Tamás Damokos, supreme judge of Csíkszék. On 21 October 1661, Turkish and Tatar troops led by Ali, Ottoman pasha of Temeşvar Province, invaded Csíkszereda, occupying and burning the citadel. It was rebuilt in 1714–16 under orders from Habsburg General Stephan Steinville, as attested by a stone inscription above the entrance gate.

Reader's Guide

Mikó Castle played an important defensive role at the eastern border of the Habsburg Empire. Through the mid-20th century, the building was used by the troops of various armies. It served as a barracks for Habsburg troops until 1764, then from 1764 to 1848 as the residence of the commander of the 1st Székely Regiment of the Transylvanian Military Frontier. During the Transylvanian Revolution of 1848, it served as the headquarters of Sándor Gál, commander of the Székely revolutionary forces. In 1970, following a thorough restoration, the Ciuc Szekler Museum, established in 1930, moved into the castle. Additionally, part of the Kájoni János County Library, including a rare documents collection, has operated in the castle since 1978. The building is classified as a historic monument by the Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs.

Did You Know?

• Work on the castle began on 26 April 1623 and was probably completed in the 1630s.
• The first written document to mention the citadel dates to 1631.
• On 21 October 1661, Turkish and Tatar troops led by Ali, Ottoman pasha of Temeşvar Province, invaded Csíkszereda, occupying and burning the citadel.
• The oldest surviving plan of the building was drawn in 1735 by Austrian engineer and colonel Johann Conrad Weiss.