Szentkereszty Castle

Located at three kilometers from Sepsiszentgyörgy/Sfântu Gheorghe, and once in the ownership of the Benkő family, the Szentkereszty-castle is a valuable monument of Arcuş/Árkos. Count György Kálnoky and his wife, Baroness Anna Haller gained ownership of the grange as a result of its purchase in 1840. After the death of György Kálnoky, Baroness Anna Haller married Baron Zsigmond Szentkereszty. They rebuilt the grange in 1870 – back then it was surrounded by a vegetable garden, an orchard, an equestrian school and a bowling alley. Furthermore, the inventory drafted in 1871 also speaks about a Swiss lodge and a six-fathom tall belvedere.

The present, new-baroque look of the castle was rendered subsequent to its restoration in the early 1890’s, produced by baron Béla Szentkereszty, MP and lord lieutenant of Háromszék shire, and his wife, Maria Floresco. Also, they were the ones to transform the 10-hectare park into an arboretum.

The building plan was signed by Sándor Fort from Budapest; meanwhile the entire furniture was delivered by merchants from Budapest, Vienna and Paris. The main facade of the two-story building is highlighted on by the terrace held by six classical pillars, the northern and southern walls emphasizing elements of the new-baroque architecture.

At present, the castle is hosting classical music concerts and fine art exhibitions organized by the cultural center that operates within, under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture.