Salina Turda: Discover the Magical Underground Amusement Park in Romania's Salt Mine
When I planned my first trip to Romania, I found Salina Turda and when I realized that it's a theme park underground in the salt mine, I couldn't believe my eyes. I drove to Turda's amusement park right after I've got to Transylvania and I must say that it was an amazing place.
History
In ancient times this area was called Dacia. During the Roman occupation, first exploitation of mining started in Transylvania. Roman miners found salt, silver, iron ore and polymetallic gold.
When the Roman Empire lost their influence in Dacia the mines were probably closed. There is some information in Hungarian chancellery documents and notes from 1075 about Turda fortress, but the first signs of the salt mine couldn't be found until 1271.
We can also found that from XIII to XVI century there was not only the salt mine there but also the salt baths. The mining activity continues until the first half of the twentieth century.
Theme Park
Since 1992, Salina Turda was the popular Romanian tourist attraction. In 2008 this salt mine got money from donations and enters a process of modernization. Two years later inside Salina Turda theme park was created.
First things you will see entering Salina Turda salt mine will be two rooms called Echoes Room and Crivac Room. This is not yet an amusement park, but it's worth a quick visit.
When you will get to the real salt mine you will probably notice a big queue waiting for a lift going down to theme park. Not many people know that there are also stairs, which not only will be faster (long queue), but also will offer you great views. The stairs are at the end of the long wooden walkway, which may be a bit scary. You can see the walkway with the stairs on the given image.
When you will get downstairs you will see a Ferries Wheel, but this is not all. There is another level down called the Terezia mine. You will find here an underground lake with the salt island, where you can get a boat and swim across the lake. This time there is no way to avoid the queue, but it's worth it.
In Salida Turda salt mine you can also play mini golf, table tennis or go bowling. There is also some kind of bar, where you can buy something to drink.
Tourist practical information
- Take additional clothes, because there is much colder underground.
- You will need about 1.5 - 2 hours to visit Salina Turda salt mine.
- Entrance fee is 20 lei.
- Lake boat costs 10 lei for 20 minutes (max 3 person on the boat).
- Ferries wheel costs 5 lei.
- If you are in Cluj-Napoca, you can take a bus to Turda for 7 lei.
Conclusion
Visiting Salina Turda salt mine can seem mad, but in some kind of the strange way, it's a wonderful tourist attraction. I felt like never before wondering these corridors and huge spaces. If you can you should definitely visit this place, you won't be disappointed.
While beeing in Transylvania by car don't forget to visit also Corvin Castle, it's one of the most impressive castles I've ever seen and it's about 2 hours drive south from Salina Turda mine.
