Need to know
Closest airport: Cluj International Airport (CLJ), located on national road DN 1C, 8 km from the city.
How to get there by car: E81 from Cluj (around 30 minutes drive)
Admission charge: 40 lei/ p (around 8 euro/9.50 USD)
County/Area: Cluj county/central Romania, Transylvania
Autumn coming, I decided that a weekend trip to Cluj, the alleged capital of Transylvania, would be the coronation of a summer’s holiday. And boy, was I right! So, I took a trip by car with my (almost) teenage daughters to Cluj!
The three days we spent in Cluj and the surrounding area were like a feast comprising some special appetizer (Turda minesalt/ Salina Turda), a delicious and plentiful main course (city of Cluj) and a yummy desert (Tarnita lake).
But for now, I will only present the appetizer…
The Ferris wheel is just one of the fun attractions
First stop along the way: Turda restaurant, Sarea in bucate, next to the famous salt mine. We had to grab some energy to go under ….and explore the enormous salt mine. The food was delicious, the service fast, and lots of traditional dishes served and prepared in the spirit of the place. Before I move on, you can visit Issa vinery that is two minutes away, or, if you’re in a hurry don’t miss the chance to buy a bottle of Issa right from the restaurant. Robust and enjoyable taste. Cheers!
Contents:
Turda salt mine – a true wonder of nature
Objectives and main rooms
Amusement park in the Turda salt mine
Health comes from the underground
Turda salt mine – a true wonder of nature
After a few minutes’ walk, we entered the famous salt mine. There are other salt mines in the country, but this one is by far the biggest. Very impressive. Really deep. One of the oldest on earth. And healthy, as they say. So, we immersed in the 38 million tons of salt…
Turda salt mine goes deep not just underground, but also to prehistoric times. Millions of years ago, Transylvania was covered by an enormous sea. After the waters evaporated, an impressive layer of salt enveloped Transylvania, with an average thickness of about 400 m.
The beginnings of Turda salt mine are the same age as the Roman Occupation of Dacia, when the town was called Potaissa. The people were making a living from the exploitation of iron, polymetallic ores, gold, silver, and salt, this explains mining. However, the first written document that mentions salt mining dates from 1271 and was issued by the Hungarian Chancellery.
From above …it looks a bit scary
Objectives and main rooms
The salt mine is spectacular and enormous beyond compare. It has several objectives, such as galleries, mines or chambers, and due to its extensive process of modernization, even the pickiest visitor can find something interesting, as it houses a huge amusement park.
We loved Rudolf mine, which surprised us by its grandeur. The ceiling and walls are filled with stalactites of salt, as if you were in a cave (the temperature is similar, being constantly around 11-12 degrees C). You have a tremendous picture from above, but if you want to enjoy the landscape from the underground panoramic wheel or play table tennis, you have to go down 13 floors. Elevator or steps, depending on physical condition.
Joseph mine, or the “Echo Chamber” is one of the favourites of kids and adults alike. It is famous for the reverberation of sounds that are repeated up to 20 times. Echoing comes from the shape of the room and the fact that it has no connection with other rooms.
If you visit the “Crivac” Chamber you will find out more about the extraction process. The “crivac”, an extraction machine, was operated by the force of the horses and served for the vertical transport of the salt. Built in 1881, the Crivac in the Turda Salt mine is the only machine of this type of all the salt mines in Europe to be preserved in the original place.
Amusement park in the Turda salt mine
Recreation goes hand in hand with health, both of which are meant to charge every individual. Upgraded a few years ago, the mine kept the old walls, but got an amusement park, where you can choose active relaxation, like playing badminton, minigolf, table tennis or billiards. There is a playground for children, as well as a lake where you can ride a paddle boat and spend some good time. The salt mine has also an amphitheatre for shows. Outside the mine, there is a spa and wellness centre to relax with a massage.
Table tennis championship between salt walls
Health comes from the underground
Last but not least, a visit to Turda equals well-being. This healthy underground gem is known for its curative properties, being an important treatment destination.
The specialists recommend salt therapy as a very effective solution in the treatment of respiratory diseases, but also for stimulating immunity, supporting the detoxification of the body, improving the functioning of the digestive tract, also helping to reduce the effects of fatigue and stress. So, you cannot go wrong!
Unfortunately, when we visited the salt mine, Covid-19 was making the rules and we couldn’t enjoy all the benefits of the place. However, it is a very complex, amazing and unique spot. Highly recommended!
Recommended by TTF:
- Majestic salt mine: one of the oldest and largest mines that preserves nature’s best
- Underground theme park
- Healthy and relaxing spot.
