A vacation in Transylvania gives you the chance to explore the enchanting castles, vibrant traditions and rich heritage of this unique region, all set against the backdrop of spectacular landscapes.
Such a unique place in Romania is located 10 kilometers from the resort of Sovata; it is the Praid Salt Mine, which is located in Mures County. It is one of the largest salt mines in Europe and a real treasure of Transylvania. It is also a mining operation that provides many jobs for the nearby communities.
Read on to find out about the history of the salt mine, what facilities Praid has to offer visitors, the particularities of the salt mine, as well as specific information about tickets for Salina Praid and other useful facts about this unique place in Romania.
- Praid Salina – a must-see in Transylvania
- Activities in and around the Praid saltworks
- Recommended length of stay in the saline
- Salina Praid – history and particularities
Praid Salina – a must-see in Transylvania
What’s impressive about this place is the depth of the Praid Salt Mine, up to 2700 meters, but also the fact that the salt reserves found here will provide enough salt for another 500 years. From a geological point of view, it is interesting to know that the Transylvanian salt dates back some 22 million years.
From the information presented on the official website of the Praid Salt Mine, we learn that the mine is visited mainly in the summer season, when about 3000 tourists descend daily in the salt mine. As well as being a geological attraction, visits to the salt works as a treatment for many respiratory and other ailments.
For those planning a holiday in Praid, in addition to the main attraction, the Salina, tourists can take part in various activities organized in the commune, try the hot salt baths or go hiking in the Transylvanian countryside.
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How to get to Salina Praid
From the capital you will have to drive about 6 hours to Sovata, a distance of 340 km. The shortest way to Sovata is via Brasov, Sfântul Gheorghe and Miercurea-Ciuc.
Those who come to visit the spa or to treat themselves often stay in the resort of Sovata, 10 km away, or in the guesthouses of Praid.
To get to the saltworks, tourists will have to wait for the special bus, which leaves every 15 minutes, after having purchased tickets for Salina Praid in advance. The bus will take tourists about one and a half kilometers through a tunnel to the entrance of the salt mine.
From there, they will descend about 300 steps to discover, at a depth of 120 meters, a veritable little town in the salt marsh. At first, they will smell the strong smell of salt in the air, and along the way, they will discover the facilities found in Salina Praid in Romania. Tourists can find out about these facilities on the map of Salina Praid, displayed right at the entrance, before scanning their ticket for Salina Praid.
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When can you visit the salt mine and how much does it cost to get a ticket for Salina Praid
The Praid Salina’s opening hours are as follows:
- Monday to Saturday, 8.00 – 12.45;
- Sundays between 10.00 – 12.45.
- Saline entrances: 8.00, 9.00, 11.45, 12.45;
- Saline exits: 12.00, 13.00, 13.45.
For treatments, access to the saline is as follows:
- Monday through Saturday:
- Saline entrances: 8.00, 9.00, 11.45, 12.45;
- Saline exits: 12.00, 13.00, 13.45.
Ticket prices for Salina Praid
Ticket prices for Salina Praid vary depending on the purpose of the visit. Thus, the following prices are valid for a visit to the salt pans:
- Ticket for Salina Praid adults: 50 lei;
- Ticket for Salina Praid for students and children: 35 lei;
- Free for children under 3 years.
For treatment, ticket prices for Salina Praid are as follows:
- Ticket for Salina Praid adults: 40 lei/ 5-day pass;
- Salina Praid children’s ticket: 28 lei/ 5-day pass;
- Free for children under 3 years.
Activities in and around the Praid saltworks
Salt Country includes several areas of rare beauty and great geological importance. One of these is the Corund Stream Canyon, with its salt walls and halophilous vegetation. This area of about 60 ha has been declared a nature reserve.
Another remarkable geological treasure is the aragonite rock called Dealul Melcilor, located in the southern corner of the Praid basin, near the national road leading to Corund.
Other places worth visiting in the surrounding area are:
- Rapsonné Fortress, at km 4 towards the Bucin Pass;
- Lake Ursu in Sovata;
- Holed stone near Corund;
- Salt and mineral springs in the area.
A trip to the Salt Land will give you the opportunity to experience the authentic charm of the area, enjoy the hospitality of the community and traditional cuisine.
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Activities in the saltworks
Salina Praid offers an exciting and educational experience for those who dare to descend the 120 meters. Even simply exploring the underground tunnels or admiring the salt crystals are activities you will find fascinating.
The tourist area stretches over 1300 meters and includes various facilities such as:
- treatment facilities;
- cafes,
- billiards;
- library;
- picnic places;
- cellar;
- museum;
- chapel.
The chapel was built in 1993 and on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, tourists can also attend services.
There is also a Salt Mine Museum and a wine gallery, where tourists can enjoy tasting some wines and other beverages.
Also, if you’re looking for a bit of fun, there’s an adventure park in the saltworks, the only one of its kind in a natural saltworks. There, tourists can try different trails that will test their physical abilities, depending on their age.
There are also playgrounds filled with salt instead of sand for toddlers, playgrounds equipped with slides, swings, ping-pong tables, relaxing massage chairs, electronic games, planetarium, 3D cinema, 3D movie theater, pharmacy with natural products, creative playground for children, souvenir shops, so that tourists can make the most of their visit to the saltworks.
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Recommended length of stay in the saline
The recommended duration of a visit to Salina Praid varies according to individual visitor preferences and interest in exploration.
However, a visit of about two hours will allow you to explore most of the salt works’ facilities.
Visiting the saline can also be done in a therapeutic context. The effects of the strongly ionized air in the saline are well known, and under the guidance of a doctor, visitors to the saline can benefit from inhaling it. In asthma, the saline air stimulates bronchial secretion and helps to eliminate bronchial secretion, and reducing inflammation also has a beneficial effect on coughing.
To get the full benefit of the effects of saline air, several sessions are recommended.
The duration of a saline treatment is recommended depending on the condition: for asthma sufferers, at least 24 days, and for other respiratory conditions, at least 10 days, including visits of up to 60 minutes a day in the saline.
To make your experience in Salina Praid an enjoyable one, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, dress appropriately. The temperature in the Praid saltpan is lower than outside in the summer season. That’s why it’s a good idea to bring an extra coat.
Also opt for comfortable footwear, as tunnels can be slippery and there may be bumpy surfaces, so it’s important to wear appropriate footwear.
It’s a good idea to have a supply of drinking water with you in case you need to hydrate. There is a restaurant and other outlets in the salt pans, but to avoid crowds, it’s a good idea to carry plenty of water.
By following these recommendations, you will be able to fully enjoy the beauty of the Praid Saltworks and make your visit a memorable one.
Salina Praid – history and particularities
The resort of Praid is part of the “Land of Salt”, a name dating back to 1659, when it was used to designate the localities: Sovata, Ilieși, Praid, cele doua Ocne, de Sus and de Jos, Sărățeni, Atia, Siclod, Solocma and Corund.
The first written evidence referring to the exploitation of salt from the Praid Saltworks is the letter of privileges granted to the German knights by King Andrew II in 1222. The letter gives the knights the right to transport various goods, including salt, on the Mures and Olt rivers.
In 1463, King Matthias Corvinus reinforced the privilege of the Saxons to exploit and sell the salt, but a little later, King John Sigismund II decided that the salt from Praid would be given to the royal chamber.
The free right to salt was restored during the battles led by Rákóczi Ferenc II.
The first salt mine in Praid dates back to 1762, when the Joseph mine was opened. Back then, salt was transported in buffalo skins and a horse-drawn cart was used to bring it to the surface.
In 1787, the Praid Salt Mine became the property of the Vienna treasury, and in 1864 the Parallel Mine was opened. In 1989, the Elisabeta Gallery was opened in the north-eastern part of the salt massif.
The first tests to set up a curative tourism area in the salt works took place in 1960, and 20 years later, the salt works is open to visitors.
So, Salina Praid is a fascinating destination worth exploring in detail. Whether you’re passionate about the history of the place, the geological features or simply like to enjoy the beauties of nature, a ticket to Salina Praid gives you access to a place that will delight you and give you a memorable experience.
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