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Rimetea
The village of Rimetea, located in the narrow valley close to the
towns of Turda and Aiud, consists of about 200 traditional
vernacular buildings. Some of them are of special interest, such as
the oldest rural building in the Carpathian basin, constructed in
1668, and the oldest functioning creek mill in the region. But it is
the whole complex of the numerous old buildings, preserving their
original character, which give a clear picture of the history of the
community as a whole, and which make Rimetea unique.
The village was first mentioned in the 13th century as property of
the aristocratic Hungarian Thoroczkay family. After the settlement
of German miners in the 14th century, it flourished through iron
mining, manufacturing, and trade. Following the general economical
development of Hungary, its heyday was from 1867 onwards. Due to the
rapid urbanisation, the village gained its present appearance. The
houses, aligned along the long north-south streets, following the
valley, reflected the social and occupational variety of the
population.
A large rectangular square stood in the centre of the village,
surrounded by richly ornamented houses, decorated with the local
iron features, in the taste of the 19th century middle class. On the
upper side of the square lived the traders, and on the lower side
and in the streets behind it lived the blacksmiths. In the north
west part of the village, nearer to the mines, were the simple
timber houses of the miners. The 'gypsy smiths' occupied the eastern
quarter and finally there was an area where the farmers lived. The
period of growth ended at the end of the 19th century, when new
industrial centres put an end to traditional mining and
manufacturing, and halted the further development of the town. This
caused the emigration of the population to Turda and other
industrial cities. The uncertain economical and political
circumstances in the 20th century caused further emigration,
reducing Rimetea from over 1800 inhabitants in its heyday to 600 at
present.
Although the architectural heritage of Rimetea is not listed, its
preservation is of national importance. Therefore a conservation
project was launched in 1996 by the Transylvania Trust Foundation,
based on an annual subvention offered by the Local Council of the
5th District of Budapest, who established a close relationship with
the village. A strategy was developed to halt the process of natural
decay, to neutralise the negative effects of social change, by
finding new functions for vacant buildings, and to raise the
awareness of both owners and authorities to their heritage. First an
inventory of the vernacular architecture was made, including a
photographic database of 162 of the most important traditional
buildings. This inventory, gradually linked to technical surveys,
formed the basis of a conservation plan. Using strict agreements,
assistance was provided for owners if they maintained and preserved
the architectural values of their properties.
138 owners signed the agreement and benefited from subventions,
planning assistance, technical advice and some additional grants for
maintenance and restoration work. Its success was proved by the fact
that the investments the owners made from their own resources more
than doubled the value of the funds available for the whole
conservation plan.
The programme also had economic and educational values. The
conservation work offered many jobs for craftsmen in a village were
unemployment was high, whilst teaching them traditional building
techniques. Moreover the village became attractive for rural
tourism, thus improving the infrastructure in general. Over fifteen
houses where equipped with modern facilities and were listed by the
state for use as tourist accommodation. Education of students was
also an essential element of the programme, and they received
training in recording techniques and preservation methods whilst
working in summer camps.
The Rimetea Heritage Conservation Project is a continuing project,
dependent on fund-raising. It offers a viable example of
conservation based on co-operation, internationally as well as
between local authorities and NGO's, in a region where the heritage
is much threatened by rapid social and economic change. Efforts will
be made to have the village listed nationally and to promote the
place internationally.
The 1999 Europa Nostra Medal, given to this unique
project, which is an example for many other European villages, will
undoubtedly help in this respect.
Elérhetőségek

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Adress:
Gyopár – Edelweiss, Camping
RO - 517610 Rimetea, 157/A, Alba
+40 744 542 563
gyoparpanzio@gmail.com
GPS: N 46°28’17” ; E 23°34’59”
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