Description

In the eastern extension of the Baraolt Mountains, at an altitude ranging between 520 and 990 meters above sea level, on an area of 33.5 km², at the foot of Mount Sikó, lies the commune of Arcuș. Located in the historic Szeklerland, Arcuș is one of the localities forming the “Sepsi metropolitan area” around the municipality of Sfântu Gheorghe. This historic settlement in the lower part of Covasna County is among the most dynamically developing communities in the region: its population, compared to the 1,150 inhabitants recorded in 2004, has grown to 1,727 in 2024, according to the most recent data, while its administrative territory has doubled over the last two decades.

The locality was first mentioned in the papal tithe registers of 1332, with 70 households. Along the courses of the Arcuș and Gelye streams, the four former settlements — Bedeháza, Szentegyháza, Pincehely, and Oroszfalu — merged to form an almost entirely Hungarian, self-sustaining community that preserves its culture, traditions, and history with pride. The village has thus become a welcoming and charming Szekler settlement.

Residents take pride in their local associations and institutions: the volunteer fire brigade founded in 1885; the men’s choir with a tradition of more than a century, now bearing the name of Régeni Áron; the community brass band, also more than a hundred years old; the former string ensemble whose instruments were crafted by the local master János Duka; as well as the consumer cooperative and the community cultural center built through public donations. Among the valuable built heritage are the fortified Unitarian church, the Szentkereszthy Castle with its dendrological park, the town hall built at the end of the 19th century, the consumer cooperative, and the kindergarten and school buildings, complemented by the mortuary house designed by the renowned architect Imre Makovecz, laureate of the Kossuth and Ybl awards.

Overcoming the difficult period between the administrative reorganization of 1968 and the regaining of autonomy in 2004, the locality embarked on a path of modernization. In the traditional built-up area, and beyond, new potable water and sewage networks have been installed; more than 90% of the roads are asphalted and equipped with bridges, sidewalks, and modern pedestrian crossings. Both amateur and professional athletes benefit from a modern sports complex, featuring natural and synthetic turf fields and an automated irrigation system.

The buildings belonging to educational institutions have been renovated, expanded, and modernized, and equipped to current standards. The educational process takes place through a nursery, a kindergarten with extended hours, and afternoon educational programs for schoolchildren.

The local administration consists of a mayor, a deputy mayor, a specialized staff of 8 employees, and a local council of 11 members. Arcuș maintains twinning partnerships with four local administrations in Hungary, because in keeping with the main objective assumed by the local leadership — “to work so that every guest feels at home in a livable and lovable locality, those who live here never wish to leave, and those who left long to return” — we firmly believe in our guiding motto: “Every Hungarian is responsible for every Hungarian. We were, we are, and we will be!”

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