During the last weeks, we have traveled (albeit only mentally) through the most beautiful less or more known places in the country. Well, we have now reached Miercurea Ciuc, the home of champions.
Miercurea Ciuc, the capital city of the Harghita County, derives its name from the local fairs that once took place here on Wednesday (in Romanian: “miercuri”). The Miko Citadel is the most popular tourist attraction in the area, erected at the beginning of the 16th century by Francisc Miko.
Miercurea Ciuc city is an important sports center and, as is the case with all places with cold weather, enjoys a tradition in winter sports (ski, figure skating). Carol Eduard Novak was also attracted by skating, competing in countless speed skating contests as a junior. Multiple medalist in national and international contests and national recordman, Novak’s dreams of competing as a senior skater were shattered when, aged 20, he was involved in a car accident which would cost him one of his feet.
Nevertheless, our champion did not let life bring him down, but returned to a sport he had practiced before skating: cycling. He trains very hard and competes in the Paralympic Games in London in 2012, where he wins the gold medal in pursuit cycling, defeating the Czech sportsman Jiri Jezek. He is the only Romanian to have ever won a paralympic title.
The world champion has recently opened a Viennese-style pastry in his hometown, Miercurea Ciuc. At Novak’s, people can enjoy traditional sweets and pastries from the Magyar, Romanian and international cuisine. Eduard set out to continue his family’s tradition, since a quarter of a century ago, they opened the first pastry in Miercurea Ciuc at the same address: Petofi Sandor 34.
If you wish to visit Miercurea Ciuc, you can rent a car without deposit in Romania and travel wherever you wish in the country!