Mikó Castle

Mikó Castle in Miercurea Ciuc, which hosts the Székely Museum of Ciuc, is located on the territory previously occupied by the village of Martonfalva. It was built by hídvégi Mikó Ferenc (1585-1635), whose name was given to the fortress and who, as loyal subject to Prince Gabriel Bethlen (Gabriel Bethlen Prince of Transylvania), pursued a successful carrier. Since 1613 until his death, he was the ruler (captain) of the local administrative units (szék) of Ciuc, Gheorgheni and Casin, since 1622 he was a member of the royal council and treasurer of Transylvania. He began building in Ciuc after being named ruler of the territory.

First of all, the Renaissance building was not meant for defense, but had residential purposes and has been relatively well preserved until today (full restoration of the castle is being carried out in the present). During the 18^th century, outside defense walls were built, but they were later destroyed, except the gate tower. The castle is square-shaped and has a square interior garden. There are bastion-shaped towers attached to the outer corners of the buildings’ flanks. Attached to the west wall there is an octagon-shaped one-floor building, that served as a gun powder warehouse.

The popularity of this type of Renaissance building in Ardeal is probably connected to Giacomo Resti’s work, Prince Gabriel Bethlen’s architect.

After Mikó Ferenc’s and his son’s, József, deaths, the castle soon becomes the property of the new ruler of Ciuc, Petki István.

After the castle was partially destroyed by the Turkish and Tatar troops in the Ciuc region and stayed in ruins for several decades, count Stepha Steinville, imperial general, the supreme military commander of Transylvania at that time, ordered its rehabilitation, in 1714.

In 1730, in the south-west rampart, a chapel was built. From all its ornaments, only a modest Baroque stucco decoration from the ceiling survived. Nowadays, the construction still has a variety of typed of vaults. There is very little information regarding the 17^th century interior design. This seems to suggest that the changes made in the 18^th century have considerably altered the 17^th century interior designed ordered by Mikó Ferenc.

In keeping with the changes taking place in those years, following its rehabilitation, the Mikó Castle served as barracks and as the regiment’s headquarters. The imperial border guards and then the First Infantry Regiment were stationed here. Afterwards it became part of the Private properties of Ciuc (Csíki Magánjavak), and then it became property of the Hungarian Defence Force (Honvédség). Until mid-20^th century, there were barracks here and then from 1961, it served as an economic engineering institution, while since 1970 it has been used by the museum in Miercurea Ciuc.