It‘s true that Transylvania was made famous by Bram Stoker’s novel, but I am sure, if you venture to come and see it yourself, you’ll find the local region’s stories and its medieval villages much more charming than Dracula. Staying at the Machine House in the village of Zabola is highly recommended if you like some time away, fancy a forest walk in the area around the volcano lake 'St. Ana', a picnic while listening to the local legend of this teardrop shaped lake, love home-made food, you’re not afraid too of bumping into wild boars or bears, you’d like to see a 16th century castle and discover medieval Transylvania. Shall I add that you shouldn’t forget to pack your ice skates, as there might be a skating on a torch-lit pond opportunity if you’re visiting in winter?
The Estate of the Count Mikes Family
The private Estate of the Count Mikes family in the Szekler region of Transylvania is nestled at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains right next to thousands of hectares of untouched wilderness. The 40 hectares Castle Park has more than 60 different species of century old trees, some ponds and a two hectare lake, open meadows and small streams.
The Estate is limitedly open for the public. Accommodation is possible in the so called “Machine House” a mid 18th century building which used to be the machinery of the estate , hosted the water pump and the electrical generator and also a small wowing production. During the communist years while the Estate was used as children’s camp and for the last few years as an asylum, the Machine House was the laundry/machinery/office building of the institutions. The house has been carefully restored and operates as a guesthouse with six bedrooms, offering a unique combination of bygone elegance and modern comforts. The funds generated by the guesthouse are used to restore the cultural heritage of the region.
The cuisine of “The Machine House” is based on unpublished family cookbooks from old noble houses in Transylvania, but prepared with a progressive approach. The two-acre kitchen garden on the estate produces most of the organic vegetables, fruits and herbs that are used in the kitchen at The Machine House. There are no pesticides used in the gardens, and milk products and meat are bought from trusted farmers in Zabola village who provide their animals with natural feed.
A variety of tailor made activities can be organized for you in the grounds of the estate or nearby:
• Bear watch
• Hiking tours
• Carriage tours
• Drawing the bows
• Boat rides
• Open air cinema
Tailor made guided tours of the region are available on request.
After 45 harrowing years of Communism, while the Estate has been confiscated by the state, the family has returned to Transylvania to rebuild their ancestral home.
Katalin Roy Chowdhury of Ulpur (born Countess Mikes de Zabola) was sewing the Romanian state for almost 15 years, dedicating all her energy and free time to this mission, before she managed to get back the oldest settlement of her family. Her late husband Shuvendu Basu Roy Chowdhury of Ulpur, a Bengali aristocrat was supporting and helping her during this long battle. Their sons Gregor and Alexander Roy Chowdhury are working on rebuilding not only the Estate but also the economical background of it. Gregor, a former investment banker form London and Alexander who holds a Master Degree in real estate - are involved in forestry and real estate business in Romania. Gregor’s wife Zsolna, who descends from a Szekler aristocrat family, is former journalist and PR consultant. She did the interior design of the so-called “Machine House” the guesthouse on the Estate.
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