The opening of the Székely Equestrian Museum in Olteni
The Mikó Castle in Olteni has been completely renewed through a comprehensive restoration project and, from autumn 2026, will continue to operate as an external unit of the Székely National Museum under the name Székely Equestrian Museum.
As part of the project, the building’s Neoclassical façade was restored, its structural elements reinforced, the unique 19th-century wall paintings conserved and restored, and its interiors modernised. Modern museum infrastructure was also created. The castle thus joins the region’s cultural life not only as a restored example of built heritage, but also as one of the 12 nationally designated tourism and cultural routes, serving as a key destination along the Route of Curias from Transylvania.
A distinctive feature of the restored castle is that it stands on the remains of a Roman castrum, whose layout was clearly identified through the research conducted by Zoltán Székely in 1947 and the archaeological excavations carried out in 2025–2026. The Neoclassical–Empire-style building welcomes visitors with a French mansard roof, a symmetrical façade and richly decorated interiors. The 19th-century wall paintings can still be seen in one of the wings opening from the ballroom, while the other wing houses an exhibition dedicated to the equestrian life of the noble families of Székely Land.
The exhibition at the Székely Equestrian Museum presents the history of the Olteni branch of the Mikó family, the architectural history and original functions of the castle, the material culture of the men’s and women’s living quarters, the legacy of the renowned Olteni stud farm and the Trakehner bloodline, Emil Schmutzler’s 20th-century transformation of the castle and his equestrian activities, as well as the findings of the latest archaeological research into the Roman castrum. The museum also places particular emphasis on the continuity of Olteni’s equestrian traditions. The heritage of the stud farm is still being preserved in the village today, represented in the present day by Szemafor Széltoló, a horse of Kisbér–Trakehner lineage.
The renovation, with a total value of RON 20 million, was financed through Romania’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). In addition to the project funding, the Covasna County Council provided a co-financing contribution of RON 11.7 million.
The official opening of the Székely Equestrian Museum will take place on Saturday, 5 September 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the restored Mikó Castle in Olteni. Welcome addresses will be delivered by Sándor Tamás, President of the Covasna County Council; István Fodor, Mayor of Bodoc Commune; and Mihály Vargha, Director of the Székely National Museum. The Reformed Chamber Choir of Bodoc will perform, followed by a poetry recital by Mária Tamás.
At 12:00 noon, the programme will continue with a guided tour focusing on the history of the castle, led by historian Árpád Csáki. At 1:00 p.m., visitors will be invited to a curator-led tour with István Kinda, museologist and curator of the Székely Equestrian Museum.