Borsec

History

It was historically part of the Székely Land area of Transylvania. Administratively, it belonged to Csíkszék until the administrative reform of Transylvania in 1876, when it fell within the Csík County in the Austria-Hungary. After the Treaty of Trianon of 1920, it became part of Romania and fell within Ciuc County during the interwar period. In 1940, the second Vienna Award granted the Northern Transylvania to Hungary and the settlement was held by Hungary until 1944. After Soviet occupation, the Romanian administration returned and it became officially part of Romania in 1947. Between 1952 and 1960, the town fell within the Magyar Autonomous Region, between 1960 and 1968 the Mureș-Magyar Autonomous Region.

Geography

Borsec, a resort chiefly known for its mineral water and favourable climate, is situated in the intracarpatic depression of the same name, at an altitude of 900 m.

Name

Its name is derived from Hungarian "borvizszék" meaning "Seat of Mineral Water".

Tourism

Borsec owes its fame to its mineral waters, known for their curing properties. Natural cures (the healing properties of the microclimate, surrounding air, soil and water) and physiotherapeutic properties are reputedly able to improve nutrition and heal a host of metabolic disorders. Borsec is a favorable place for rest and recreation: it is a real paradise for those who enjoy excursions (known destinations include Poiana Zânelor, the ice cave, the bears' cave, Izvorul Strǎvechi, Cetatea Bufnițelor), those who like winter sports (on Făget and Fagetel for beginners and those more advanced) as well as those who like to fish, who can try their luck in the waters of Bistricioara or the Bicaz lake, which are near the resort.

One famous visitor to Borsec was Moldavian writer Vasile Alecsandri, who wrote the following in 1845: "at Borsec they all are brothers, if not in Jesus then in mineral water [...] one of the most important merits of Borsec is that it gives people human feelings!"

Nearby locations include the monasteries of Moldavia (Neamţ, Secu, Văratec, Agapia, Durău, Sihăstria), the Lázár Castle, Lacul Roşu, Cheile Bicazului, Lake Bicaz, the Durău resort, the Praid salt mine, Sovata, and the ceramics centre of Corund.

Demographics

According to the 2002 census, the town's population was 2,864, of whom 2,240 (78.2%) ethnic Hungarians, 607 (21.2%) ethnic Romanians and 0.6% others.

The 2011 census revealed the population dropped by 10.2%, with an ethnic makeup as follows: 1,975 (76.8%) Hungarians, 584 (22.7%) Romanians and 0.5% others.

Exports

"Borsec, Queen of Mineral Waters" (since 1806) is bottled there and exported to nations such as Hungary, Italy, Germany, France, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Israel, South Africa, Sweden, Jordan, Greece, Lebanon, Emirates.