30/07/2023
The following interview was conducted with Béla Horváth, the mayor of Szalacs:
Question: Szalacs is famous for its thousand cellars. What makes this settlement so special?
Béla Horváth: Indeed, Szalacs can boast the title of the "village of a thousand cellars," as it has the most cellars in Bihar County. This is an extremely interesting and unique phenomenon even within the Carpathian Basin. The reason behind this is that in the past, a large marshland extended here, which prevented people from building their cellars under their houses. Instead, they carved them into the hillsides, creating a terraced system. There are a total of eight main streets and several smaller ones in the village. The construction of the cellars started mainly in the 1700s, but the most beautiful and largest ones took their final form in the 1900s.
Question: What interesting things can visitors encounter when they come to Szalacs?
Béla Horváth: Szalacs is indeed an extremely interesting and unique settlement. The cellars here give the village a distinctive appearance, so it is worth visiting them and exploring the terraced system. In addition, Szalacs is rich in historical and ethnographic values. The museums, churches, and local cultural events in the village also offer many interesting attractions.
Question: What are the city's future plans regarding the cellars?
Béla Horváth: We consider the preservation and presentation of the cellars to tourists to be very important. We already organize cellar tours and events in the village to allow as many people as possible to experience this unique feature. In the future, we aim to further develop the tourism opportunities and make the cellar village even more attractive to visitors.
Question: Do you have any message or messages for those who visit Szalacs?
Béla Horváth: We warmly welcome everyone to Szalacs! You can visit a place where you can encounter the atmosphere of the past and explore the unique world of the cellars. The people living here are friendly and hospitable, and they are happy to share the history of their village. Let the charm of Szalacs captivate you and enrich you with memorable experiences.
Thank you, Mr. Béla Horváth, for the interview, and I wish you success in the future!