Salt Lakes at Turda

The salt lakes of Turda, in Cluj County, formed in the area of the town's old salt mines. Water filled the cavities and hollows left in the salt deposit, creating a landscape of salty banks, lakes and plants adapted to the salt-rich soil. Organized use of the waters for bathing began around 1840.

The Băile Sărate area and the Durgău–Valea Sărată area are part of the Sărăturile Ocna Veche protected area. The surrounding lakes and wetlands are home to plants that tolerate high salt concentrations, such as salicornia. The landscape thus bears traces of both mining and the natural evolution of the land. Some of the lakes have been set up for bathing, while others can be seen from the banks. Check the operator's terms separately before using the pools and outdoor baths; walking in the area and entering the spa facilities are subject to different rules.

In the photo: Bătrânescu Lake (Troacelor Lake), in the Turda salt lakes area. Photo: Ana Maria Catalina / Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and resized to 650 × 400 px. Adapted photo retains same license.