Ciucea - Memorial House of Octavian Goga

The Memorial House of Octavian Goga in the town of Ciucea consists of six buildings, including the "castle", the "white house", "Ady's house", a convent, a wooden church, and Goga's mausoleum. The original residence, often termed "the castle", was an aristocratic house built in the 19th century for Miklos Boncza. At the same time, two annex residences were constructed on the 30-acre estate for guests. Upon his death, the property was transferred to his niece Berta Boncza, the wife of poet Ady Endre. Berta and Ady resided in one of the annexes for a few years before moving to Budapest. When Ady died, Berta did not want to return to the residence and sold it to a family friend, poet, Octavian Goga.

Goga renovated the buildings and enjoyed the estate for nearly 20 years. He was buried in a mausoleum constructed for him and his wife. After his death, 1938, his wife Venturia had a wooden church moved from the village of Galpaia to the estate. At the same time a small convent was constructed. The church dates back to the 16th century.

The estate was donated to the town of Ciucea to serve as a museum. In addition to the memorials to Goga and Endre, the buildings represent a small ethnographic museum with furniture and clothing from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
(composed 2015 for website of Transylvania Alive Association for Cultural Heritage) 

 

Memorial House of Octavian Goga, Ciucea (photo Eric De Sena, 2016)