Salina Turda is an underground amusement park built in a salt mine in Romania
Salina Turda is an ancient salt mine located deep underground on the commune of Turda in Romania . In 1992, the mine was opened to the public and became a real amusement park.
As with many natural resources in Europe, the Romans were the first to exploit the Turda mine. They began the excavation of the salt mine in the 2nd century of our era and, as a result of the fall of the Roman Empire, other regional powers continued mining, using them in the 3 billion tons of salt thus creating an immense underground world.
Turda's salt mine, apart from its gigantic size, is relatively simple in its history. No explosive has ever been used to dig the mine, and everything has been done by hand or with a machine, making its size even more impressive. One of the many rooms of the mine is 80 meters per 40 with a height of 49 meters.
After being abandoned in 1932, the mine reopened for tourists in 1992. Thanks to a refurbishment of €4,820,000 ($6 million), the salt mine is now a major tourist centre, particularly for the use of halotherapy (salt therapy), a treatment for allergies and asthma that uses the ionized air, pressure and moisture of the mine. The health benefits of salt mines were discovered during a study of minors in the Wieliczka salt mine , revealing a better respiratory capacity .
In addition to the spa inside the cavities, part of the old mining equipment was transformed into a kind of amusement park. One of the most important features is a panoramic wheel that allows tourists to see the stalagmites that formed over 1000 years of mine history. An underground lake (in Mina Maria Tereza ) also allows to paddle to explore a little more the mine.
There is also an amphitheatre, a sports arena, a mini-golf, and bowling trails, among others, allowing visitors to discover the different aspects of the mine. The museum actually includes three mines: the mine Terezia deepest (120 meters) followed by the mine Anton (108 metres) and mine Rudolf (42 metres).
Over the past 20 years, the cave has gained popularity and has attracted famous visitors. For a while, rumors have even circulated as what Christopher Nolan's new film, Batman , would be turned into the mine, the Salina Turda playing the role of the new Batcave The Batman Cave. Moreover, filmmakers will appreciate the visit of the mine in the evening.
It is possible to visit the mine from the city of Cluj-Napoca (35-40 minutes by car).
Source images : NextTripTourism, DesignBoom
Loading comments ...