Daru's Hill - Gorneşti
The name of the village on the Mureş is probably derived from the word gernye that means wizened tree: the settlers desiccated the surrounding forests to establish the settlement. Some of the locations in Gernyeszeg still have unique names with meaning that are linked to legends and myths. For example, Darudombja, which tells us that there were two bulls there - one called Daru, he lost the fight. The animal was buried on that hill and bears its name ever since.
The highest point of the village was called the Lords' Table - this traces back to the old times when the one-time lord hunted with his friends. On the top of the hill were wooden tables and chairs, where the hunters rested and had lunch there. The young men in the village were the drivers: they could not sit at the Lord's table, but they received fresh loaves and wine for help. Another part of Gernyeszeg was called the Horse Garden - it used to be a spacious meadow where horses, foals were grazing, and the barn was also there. The villagers gradually bought the area, but the name remained.
If we go to Gernyeszeg, we have to visit two buildings by all means. One of them is the Gothic-style Reformed Church in the Middle Ages in the center of the village, which was transformed several times over the centuries, but its impressive sight dominates the village center even today. Its big bell is from 1456. At that time, the village was owned by the Erdélyi family from Somkerék and later became the property of the Teleki family.
The other famous Gernyeszeg building is the former castle, which was rebuilt in 1686 by Chancellor Mihály Teleki. Similarly to the Bethlen Castle in Mezőzáh, this building was designed with numerology, with 52 rooms and 365 windows. Sámuel Teleki, a famous African researcher of the Teleki family, held a remarkable collection and library in this castle, but these were destroyed in the warlike periods of the 20th century, only part of them were saved and handed over to the Teleki Library in Marosvásárhely. After its nationalization, it was reclaimed and renovated, and today it gives home to successful events. The Baroque-style castle park is decorated with the statues of mythological figures.
Tourists visiting Gernyeszeg can take part in the castle day which takes place in the castle park, gaining in popularity from one year to another. Tourists can not only enter the imposing Baroque building complex, but can also be engaged in events both for children and adults. The renovated and well-functioning Gernyeszegi Castle gives home to an artist colony and a chamber music festival every year.
If we have admired the Reformed Church and the Teleki Castle, we can go to the Lords' Table where anyone can sit down today. We don't even have to worry about meeting the horses of the Horse Garden or the bulls grazing on Darudomb.
The highest point of the village was called the Lords' Table - this traces back to the old times when the one-time lord hunted with his friends. On the top of the hill were wooden tables and chairs, where the hunters rested and had lunch there. The young men in the village were the drivers: they could not sit at the Lord's table, but they received fresh loaves and wine for help. Another part of Gernyeszeg was called the Horse Garden - it used to be a spacious meadow where horses, foals were grazing, and the barn was also there. The villagers gradually bought the area, but the name remained.
If we go to Gernyeszeg, we have to visit two buildings by all means. One of them is the Gothic-style Reformed Church in the Middle Ages in the center of the village, which was transformed several times over the centuries, but its impressive sight dominates the village center even today. Its big bell is from 1456. At that time, the village was owned by the Erdélyi family from Somkerék and later became the property of the Teleki family.
The other famous Gernyeszeg building is the former castle, which was rebuilt in 1686 by Chancellor Mihály Teleki. Similarly to the Bethlen Castle in Mezőzáh, this building was designed with numerology, with 52 rooms and 365 windows. Sámuel Teleki, a famous African researcher of the Teleki family, held a remarkable collection and library in this castle, but these were destroyed in the warlike periods of the 20th century, only part of them were saved and handed over to the Teleki Library in Marosvásárhely. After its nationalization, it was reclaimed and renovated, and today it gives home to successful events. The Baroque-style castle park is decorated with the statues of mythological figures.
Tourists visiting Gernyeszeg can take part in the castle day which takes place in the castle park, gaining in popularity from one year to another. Tourists can not only enter the imposing Baroque building complex, but can also be engaged in events both for children and adults. The renovated and well-functioning Gernyeszegi Castle gives home to an artist colony and a chamber music festival every year.
If we have admired the Reformed Church and the Teleki Castle, we can go to the Lords' Table where anyone can sit down today. We don't even have to worry about meeting the horses of the Horse Garden or the bulls grazing on Darudomb.
