Szentkereszty-Bethlen Manor
About Szentkereszty-Bethlen Manor
The Szentkereszty-Bethlen Manor stands on 1 Decembrie 1918 Street, in the former village of Ghiriș-Arieș, now part of Câmpia Turzii. It was built in the second half of the 19th century by Baron Zsigmond Szentkereszty, and after the First World War it passed to Count Ödön Bethlen (1893–1968), who lived here with his wife and their two children. The building once had an artificial lake and a small park beside it, linked by a canal to the lake of the neighbouring Paget manor.
The family fled the front in 1944. In 1945 the manor served as a Soviet military hospital, then housed a school and, for many years, the library and classrooms of the "Pavel Dan" Theoretical High School. A listed historic monument (LMI code CJ-II-m-B-07554), it was restored by the town hall with European PNRR funds, and in 2026 it was given a new purpose.
What you can see
The single-storey building has a columned portico at the entrance and white window surrounds on its façade. The restored interior hosts temporary and permanent exhibitions on local history, while in the basement the Metallurgy House is dedicated to the town's former "Industria Sârmei" wire combine. At the opening, the rooms also received a visual arts exhibition. On the façade a marble plaque recalls that the monument belonged to the Bethlen family and was acquired in 2008 with the ministry's support.
Good to know
The manor is visited to a fixed schedule, with at most 20 people at a time in the exhibition spaces; it is closed on Mondays. It is run by the municipality of Câmpia Turzii, and the rooms also host public and private events.
Information verified on 13 October 2026.
- The columned portico at the entrance, the most recognisable part of the façade.
- The Metallurgy House in the basement, about the "Industria Sârmei" combine in Câmpia Turzii.
- The restored rooms, used for temporary art and local history exhibitions.
- The marble plaque on the façade, about the building's past as property of the Bethlen family.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the manor is in the centre of Câmpia Turzii, on 1 Decembrie 1918 Street, which is part of the DN15. Turda is ~12 km away (~15 minutes) and Cluj-Napoca ~40 km (~40–45 minutes).
Public transport: Câmpia Turzii has a railway station on the Cluj-Napoca – Războieni line, and intercity buses and minibuses serve the town from Turda and Cluj-Napoca. From the station, the centre is a taxi ride or a walk away.
- Fees & discounts
Tariffs proposed in the regulations the town hall put out for consultation in June 2026: standard package (manor and Metallurgy House) 10 lei for adults, 5 lei for pre-schoolers, pupils, students and seniors. Free entry for children under 7, people with disabilities and their companions, ICOM card holders, veterans and on special days set by the town hall. Professional photography and room hire are charged separately.
- Rules
Interventions on the building and its historic elements (sticking or drilling into walls), open flame and pyrotechnics are prohibited. Pets are not allowed inside, except assistance dogs. The spaces are under video surveillance.
- Facilities
Exhibitions · Metallurgy House · rooms for events
Frequently asked questions about Szentkereszty-Bethlen Manor
- What are the opening hours of Szentkereszty-Bethlen Manor?
- Opening hours at Szentkereszty-Bethlen Manor: Monday closed, Tuesday–Friday 14:00 – 18:00, Saturday–Sunday 11:00 – 19:00. Hours announced by the town hall for the opening on 21 July 2026; last admission 15 minutes before closing, at most 20 people at a time in the exhibition spaces. The operating regulations were in public consultation in June 2026: check the hours and prices on the town hall's website.
- How long does a visit to Szentkereszty-Bethlen Manor take?
- A visit to Szentkereszty-Bethlen Manor takes about 45 min (the manor and the Metallurgy House).
- Can you visit Szentkereszty-Bethlen Manor with kids?
- Yes, Szentkereszty-Bethlen Manor is suitable for children (free under 7).
- How do I get to Szentkereszty-Bethlen Manor?
- Szentkereszty-Bethlen Manor is located at 1 Decembrie 1918 Street, no. 17, Câmpia Turzii, Cluj County. By car: the manor is in the centre of Câmpia Turzii, on 1 Decembrie 1918 Street, which is part of the DN15. Turda is ~12 km away (~15 minutes) and Cluj-Napoca ~40 km (~40–45 minutes). Public transport: Câmpia Turzii has a railway station on the Cluj-Napoca – Războieni line, and intercity buses and minibuses serve the town from Turda and Cluj-Napoca. From the station, the centre is a taxi ride or a walk away.
- When is the best time to visit Szentkereszty-Bethlen Manor?
- The best season for Szentkereszty-Bethlen Manor: All year round (all year, Tuesday–Sunday).
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