The Call of Saint Anne

If anywhere, Lake Saint Anne is visited by everyone who has an interest in Szeklerland in one way or another. One of Transylvania's most attractive natural attractions was formed at the bottom of the only intact volcanic crater in Central-Eastern Europe, in one of the two twin craters of the last, southernmost block of the Harghita Mountains' volcanic range, the Ciomatu Mountains - the other is filled by the Mohoș Peat Bog, which is also accessible by Romania's first suspended trail.

In contrast to the regular, beautiful funnel shape of the volcanic lakes, the present-day bed of Lake Saint Anne is very shallow over large areas due to accelerated recharge. As a result of recharge, the average depth, maximum depth, surface area, and perimeter of the lake have also decreased. Its surface stretches 949-950 metres above sea level, it is part of the Mohoș Natural Reserve, and although it belongs administratively to Harghita County, the people of Covasna County consider it their own. Not only because a large part of the road leading there winds through Covasna County but also because the legend of its creation links it to the nearby Bálványos Fortress, whose land registration was also made in Covasna County.

The lake, 48 kilometres from Sfântu Gheorghe, is easily accessible by car but is also accessible on foot from Băile Tușnad, Bixad, and Lăzărești, a hike of just under three hours - if you don't meet a bear.

Samu Csinta