Romania is a country full of castles, monasteries, natural beauty, charming towns, and delicious food. But did you know it is also home to some of the most fascinating and oldest salt mines in the world? These subterranean marvels have played a crucial role in the country's economy and culture for millennia. Today they are a unique combination of history, spa and amusement park. I'll go over a quick history, the health benefits associated with the mines and then talk about the different mines to visit.
History
Salt mining in Romania has a history spanning over 2000 years. The Dacians, ancient inhabitants of the region, were already exploiting salt deposits before the Roman occupation began in the 2nd century AD. During Roman times, Dacia became the primary supplier of salt to Rome. Throughout Medieval times and into the modern era, salt remained a vital commodity, often referred to as "white gold" due to its value in food preservation and as a trading resource. The miners would carve salt from the walls, letting it fall to the ground using a technique called "bell mining". This traditional way of mining has been recognized as part of Romania's intangible cultural heritage. Bell mining created enormous dome-like chambers. Some of these incredible mines are now tourist destinations well worth a visit.
Impact on culture and science
The mines provide valuable insights into geology, mineralogy, and the long-term effects of human intervention in natural environments. They have also played a role in Romanian culture and heritage. Folklore and legends surrounding the mines are common. They often feature supernatural beings said to guard the salt deposits. The mines have inspired numerous works of art, literature, and songs throughout history as well.
Health Benefits
The mines are also said to have great health benefits. The air composition, with saline aerosols, is supposed to have wonderful therapeutic effects. The microclimate is unchanging and cannot be reproduced on the earth's surface. There is a constant temperature of 12-16 degrees Celsius or around 55 degrees Fahrenheit (bring a coat) and air humidity is 50-60%. The atmospheric pressure is 18 mmHg higher than on the surface. The salty air, lack of plant allergens, and lack of germs all create an environment said to be great for breathing, relaxation and healing. It is especially helpful for those with lung problems such as asthma and allergies. It is also supposed to purify the body from toxins, improve the functions of the digestive tract and boost immunity. Thousands of people come to the mines for speleotherapy, or salt therapy.
The Salt Mines in Romania to visit
Turda Salt Mine (Salina Turda)
Located in Cluj County, in the heart of Transylvania, the Turda Salt Mine is perhaps the most famous of Romania's salt mines and, therefore, a big tourist attraction. Its history dates back to the 17th century, though evidence suggests salt extraction in the area began much earlier. The mine started to decline during the 19th century because of competition from other mines. During World War ii it was used as a bomb shelter and later as storage. In 1992 it began use for therapeutic purposes, especially for those with respiratory problems, and as a tourist attraction. In 2010 parts of it were turned into a sort of underground amusement park. It features a bowling alley, Ferris wheel, mini golf course, sports fields such as tennis courts and handball courts, ping pong (table tennis), an underground lake where you can take a boat ride and an amphitheater.
There are different sections to the mine. You begin your visit with the long tunnel of Franz Josef gallery. This area was originally used to transport the salt and after WWII it was used as a cheese warehouse. It is 917 meters (3000 feet) long.
At the end of the tunnel, after walking down 172 steps, you enter the Rudolf mine. This is probably the most well known area of the mine. There is a panoramic elevator if you don't want to take the steps, from which you will have a view of the whole mine. Rudolf mine is also where you will find the theme park area with the Ferris wheel (panoramic wheel), mini-golf, pool table and other attractions.
A little lower you descend into the Terezia (Teresa) mine. This is bell shaped and has an underground waterfall and salt lake where you can take a boat ride. In the middle of the lake is an island made up of salt deposits. The Teresa mine is the oldest part of the mine. It was mined beginning in 1690. It is also the area with the purest air.
The Losif (Joseph) mine is conical in shape. Because of this, it has a powerful echo with sounds repeating up to 20 times. It has been nicknamed the Echoes room. You can only view this room from balconies attached to the walls of the mine.
The Crivac room is octagonal and holds a Crivac, which is a machine that would lift salt rocks from the Rudolph mine up to the transport gallery. Built in 1881, this is the only machine of its kind that is still in its original location. Most of the iron for this machine was made in the same Romanian factory that produced the iron for the Eiffel tower. The Crivac was horse powered. Because of the continuous circular motion, along with the dim light from torches, the horse became blind within 2 weeks of leaving the mine.
The registry chamber is where they kept track of everyone who entered and left the mine. It houses the staircase of the rich. This was the main access to the mine at one point. It is called the staircase of the rich because the Emperor of Austria and Emperor Franz Josef of Romania climbed down the steps, after which it was closed to anyone but nobility. The registry chamber also holds a small alter. It is said that an old cripple who was tasked with lighting the torches in the mine saw the face of Mary holding Jesus on the wall one morning. After that, the miners decided to build an alter where the priest of the mine would hold a service every morning asking for the safety of the workers.
The extraction shaft chamber would receive the salt from the Crivac and send it to the transport gallery. Pulleys were used to lift the salt rocks up. Then they were loaded onto carts pulled by horses on a small railroad.
The Gisela stationary mine is the spa or treatment area used for healing and therapy.
Guided tours are available. Tickets are 60 lei ($13.00) for adults on the weekend and 50 lei ($11.00) on weekdays. There are reduced prices for children and seniors. Most of the activities, such as the Ferris wheel, mini golf, amphitheater, bowling alley etc. are an extra charge.
**Note that children under 3 and adults over 65 can only enter with a doctor's note.
Nearby is also the Potaissa spa offering all kinds of spa treatments. There is also the Durgău Salty Lakes. These lakes have a 10% content of sodium chloride (table salt) on the surface and 28% at 30m, which is said to have therapeutic properties. There are sandy beaches, a bar, showers and a wooden dock available to swimmers.
Slănic Prahova Salt Mine
Situated an hour north of Bucharest in Prahova county, the Slanic Prahova salt mine, is the largest of Europe's salt mines and one of the largest salt mines in the world. At 80,000 square meters, (861,000 square feet) of surface area, the mine chamber is so vast it can fit the Arc de Triomphe. About 2.9 million cubic meters of salt has been excavated from here.
Salt exploitation at this site has been carried out for over three hundred years beginning in the late 17th century when Mihail Cantacuzino bought the Slanic estate once he realized there was a salt deposit here. It has been open to visitors since the 1970s. Many visitors come here because of its healing properties, especially in the treatment of respiratory diseases.
If you are not visiting for health reasons, there is still plenty to see and do. There are 14 trapezoidal rooms dubbed "salt palaces". In the Genesis hall visitors can admire salt sculptures, busts of Trajan and Decebalus as well as other Romanian artifacts. In the Union mine there is a children's playground, volleyball courts, mini golf course, pool tables, sports fields, a cafe, inflatable slides, trampoline, go-karting, a lake, waterfall and snack bar. An area in the salt pan is equipped with deck chairs and tables designed for those seeking the therapeutic benefits in the mine.
The price for the mine is 45 lei ($10.00) for entrance with reduced prices for children, students and seniors. The activities such as air hockey, go-karts and the playground etc. are an extra charge. Guided tours are available.
Other touristic activities available in the area are the monasteries of Ghighiu, Suzana or Crasna, the bride's grotto and Baciului beach.
Cacica Salt Mine (Salina Cacica)
Found in Suceava County in the northeast part of Romania, Cacica Salt Mine is located in the town of the same name. Although it was known for many years that there was salt in the area, Cacica mine wasn't founded until the late 18th century. Salt merchants, wanting to keep the price of salt inflated, ensured no mine was built. The area contained so much salt that if it was mined, the price of salt would have fallen quickly. Once taken over by the Hapsburg Empire, the Imperial Court of Vienna decided to open a mine in the area so that Buchovina wouldn't be dependent on salt from others. Finally, in 1790, the Cacina salt mine began operations.
You reach the chambers and galleries by walking down 200 year old wooden steps. These steps were placed by the original miners. There is a chapel that was carved two centuries ago by mine workers. It was the first place of worship in the town. You can still see the alter, pulpit, priest's cell and the icon Saint Barbara (Varvara). There is even a balcony for a choir. Every year on December 4th, which is Saint Barbara's day, a holy Liturgy is held by three priests. One who is Roman-Catholic, one who is Orthodox and one who is Greek-Catholic. There is also a small Orthodox chapel.
Lake Sarat is an underground salt lake that was built by the original miners to store brine. It is lit up with green lights and has a balcony surrounding it. In the center of the lake is a sunken wooden raft. This raft used to ferry guests across the lake to the ballroom. Couples would announce their engagement by riding the raft together.
Historically the ballroom acted as the area's main venue for balls, parties, concerts and celebrations. It contains a balcony on three sides and chandeliers to light the festivities.
The mine also has a small museum and a sport field, which is used for soccer, volleyball, and other sporting events. The echo chamber is the last room in the mine. It contains a small log cabin, swings and picnic tables. You are allowed to bring your own food in the mine if you want to have lunch inside. Outside of the mine there is a hose where you can get free salt water brine. Many locals use this to pickle vegetables. Near the main entrance to the mine, there is a salt water swimming pool that is open to the public during the summer.
The price is 10lei ($2.50) for adults with children and seniors having reduced prices.
Praid Salt Mine (Salina Praid)
The Praid salt mine is located in Transylvania. Like the Turda mine, salt mining here dates back to the Dracians and later the Romans. In the 1500s, the mine was under the rule of Hungarian kings. In 1960, Praid began to be used for therapeutic purposes. The area open for tourists is on level 50, which is 120m (393 feet) below the earth's surface. Visitors ride on buses to the entrance. The visiting area looks like a small village with a playground, chapel, coffee shop, ropes course, souvenir shop and even a naturalistic pharmacy. There are also museums and salt sculptures. On level 60 there is a lookout point and a restaurant. During the summer season, after visiting the underground portion of the mine, there is a salt water swimming pool open for guests.
Prices are 50lei ($11.00) for adults. There are reduced prices for children and those with disabilities.
As Romania continues to develop its tourism industry, the salt mines are likely to play an increasingly important role in attracting visitors and showcasing the country's natural and cultural heritage. Visiting a salt mine with Ferris wheels, lakes, chapels and pool tables is such a fun experience, but it is just one of the unique experiences available in the unforgettable country of Romania. When you are exploring Romania's gorgeous churches, stunning castles and picturesque towns, a stop at one of the incredible salt mines should definitely be on the itinerary.
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