Fairy Garden Bath
A magical open-air folk bath and rest park born from a community work camp —
built in 10 days through the joint effort of young people from Hungary and Transylvania in 2009.
A magical folk bath atop Kerekszék Hill
The Fairy Garden in Borsec (Hungarian Tündérek kertje, Romanian Poiana Zânelor) is a magical open-air folk bath and rest park located atop Kerekszék Hill. The site was created in 2009 during a traditional bath-building work camp, where young people from Hungary and the local area built mineral-water pools, foot baths and rest spots together.
The bath sits right inside the Kerekszék protected nature zone — atop a thick-bedded travertine (freshwater limestone) hill at an altitude of 975 m, rising like a natural wall above Lower Borsec. The white, brownish-grey, finely grained calcareous tuff gives the bath a unique geological setting.
The site features several cold mineral-water (borvíz) outdoor pools, separate foot baths, rest gazebos, built changing cabins, sunbathing spots and picnic tables. The whole area is free to visit, 24 hours a day.
The Fairy Garden pools on Kerekszék Hill · maszol.ro
Community spirit — the birth of a bath
🤝 The Fairy Garden Bath was the first step in the touristic revival of Borsec. Its creation brought more than 70 Hungarian university students to Borsec, led by the Ars Topia Foundation and Budapest landscape architect Ágnes Herczeg.
👷 During the ten-day work camp, the Hungarian youngsters were joined by 20-30 local residents each day. Together they built the circular bath with upright timber beams, two foot soak basins, a gazebo, changing rooms, sunbathing benches, a willow gate and an apostolic double cross.
💬 Mayor József Mik on the origin of the work-camp idea:
"Mayor József Mik once complained that Borsec had become a spa town without baths — that is when the idea was born to organise our big work camp of the year here." — landscape architect Ágnes Herczeg
🎉 The ceremonial opening was timed to coincide with the Borsec Days in August 2009. Since then it has grown ever more popular — visitor numbers rise year after year, while locals also regularly use the mineral water for various treatments.
🎓 Research note: The 2009 work camp was the FIRST organised step towards reclaiming Borsec's rank as a spa town — crowned by the reopening of the Ó-Sáros Bath in 2012.
Parts of the bath
Cold mineral-water pool
The circular open-air bath built with upright timber beams — fed directly from a Borsec mineral-water spring. A traditional folk bathing experience.
Foot baths
Two separate foot-soak basins — excellent for relieving walking fatigue. An ancient folk therapy that still works today.
Rest gazebos
Cosy wooden gazebos for relaxing after bathing. With natural shade and fresh mountain air.
Built changing cabins
Comfortable changing cabins with traditional timber structure. Everything built during the work camp from sustainable materials.
Sunbathing spots
Sunbathing benches and rest spots in the glade — with a view over Kerekszék and the surrounding mountains.
Picnic spots
Tables and benches for picnicking — ideal for days spent in nature. Family-friendly.
Small joys in the Fairy Garden
🪵 Willow gate — at the entrance you are greeted by a traditional Szekler gate woven from willow during the work camp.
✝️ Apostolic double cross — the work-camp participants also raised a traditional two-armed cross, a symbol of Hungarian and Szekler identity.
🌸 Small signs decorated with traditional floral motifs — hand-painted wooden information boards that address visitors in several world languages. Every detail follows the traditional Szekler folk style.
🌳 Willow and wetland habitat — a key landscape-architecture achievement is that the work-camp construction fits organically into the original natural environment.
Useful information
How to find
- Address: Stadionului Street, Borsec
- GPS: 46.9700° N, 25.5687° E
- Atop Kerekszék Hill
- 5-10 minute forest walk from the centre
When
- Open all year
- 24-hour access
- Entry: FREE
- Best months: May – September
What to bring
- Your own towel
- Swimsuit
- Waterproof footwear (sandals)
- Picnic supplies
Tips
- NO supervisory staff!
- Follow the nature-protection rules
- Combine with the Bear Cave
- Panorama from Kerekszék Hill