The village of Hălchiu and the legend of its founding by the knight Fulkun

Visiting Hălchiu in Bârsa Land

If you find yourself in the Bârsa Land this spring, you must visit the commune of Hălchiu. Located 16 kilometers from Brașov and 11 kilometers from Codlea, Hălchiu is particularly beautiful, especially in the early part of the year when all the flowers and trees bloom and the forest comes back to life. But beyond the stunning landscapes, Hălchiu also offers something else: a legend about its founding that we will share with you today.

The Legend of Hălchiu

It is said that the village, which today counts over 1,130 families, has a history of almost 800 years! In 1225, before the great invasion of the Tatars in Transylvania, one of the Teutonic knights named Fulkun was tasked by King Andrew II of Hungary to establish a new settlement along with ten families. They found the perfect location in the area where the village of Hălchiu stands today.

In 1241, after the Tatar invasion, knight Fulkun died, but the village continued to exist.

Historical Challenges

Situated in an area quite exposed to military conflicts, the village of Hălchiu has been devastated multiple times throughout history by the armies that passed through, most notably the Turkish ones. The years 1421, 1599, 1604, 1668, 1711, 1718, and 1802 marked times when the village near Brașov was repeatedly ravaged by:

• Invasions
• Fires
• Famine
• Looting
• Plague
• An earthquake that severely affected the village church

Each time, the village has risen. Thus, in 1909, Hălchiu was one of the few villages that had electric street lamps, a public bath, and other advanced industrial equipment for that time.

The Coat of Arms

The coat of arms of the village of Hălchiu still remembers the knight Fulkun: it depicts him in red garments, holding a cruciferous globe on the left and a mace on the right.

Photo:

tarabarsei.eu