Turda Salt Mine

Our region has always been famous for salt mining. In fact, even Emperor Trajan, when he decided to conquer the Dacians, also planned to obtain the precious Transylvanian white gold resources. That is why we could not start to present the attractions of the area other than by first mentioning the Turda Salt Mine.

The story of the Turda Salt Mine is very old. It is already two millennia old. It dates back to Roman times, when the city was called Potaissa, and continues until the twentieth century. The mining activities closed in 1932. Since 1992, it has been reopened and turned into a tourist attraction. And in 2008 it went through an extensive process of arrangement and modernization, becoming a real museum of salt mining. Besides, its rich history made the Salt Mine find its place on the list of historical monuments in Cluj County. Today, the Turda Salt Mine has earned a well-deserved international fame. And if you came to us, you cannot miss the opportunity to visit this magical land in the depths of Transylvania, especially since it will have beneficial effects on your health! To find it, you can find it easily, because it is only five minutes by car from our guesthouse!

Historical objectives

And if you all arrived in Turda, then you must visit the other attractions of our city. For they are not few. You can start the tour with a road to the Roman castrum, you just know the famous saying that all roads lead to Rome. And one passes through Potaissa. The castrum is the most important historical-archaeological monument in the area, being built in 168, by the 5th Macedonian Legion, during the time of the emperor-philosopher Marcus Aurelius.

Also five minutes by car you have to travel from our guesthouse, to the traces left in stone by Romans. The History Museum of Turda, located about half a kilometre away, i.e. only a few minutes walk away, is part of the same category of tourist attractions. It is located in the Princely Palace, a building also listed on the list of historical monuments in Cluj County, because it hosted several meetings of the Transylvanian Diet, being also the residence of some Princes of Transylvania, such as Sigismund Bathory. The museum has a valuable heritage and offers five collections (prehistoric, Roman and post-Roman, medieval-modern and memoirs, ethnographic and art) that will surely arouse your interest.

You also have to visit the numerous places of worship of our multi-faith city, because they are all steeped in history: the Unitarian Church (built in 1797), the Roman Catholic Church (built between 1475-1504), the Reformed-Calvinist Church of old Turda (built during the reign of Emperor Sigismund of Luxembourg 1387 - 1437, passed from Roman Catholics to Reformed in 1564) or the Orthodox Church of „Șovagăilor” (belonging to the Greek Catholic community). All are easy to find, within a few minutes' walk.

Turda Gorge

You will have more walking when you want to visit the surroundings. However, it is worth all the effort, because the natural beauties that surround us are unique. Turda Gorge nature reserve is just 13 km away. On the spot you will be able to choose from a multitude of tourist routes and you will be left breathless by the rock walls of 200 meters high. The over 60 caves are among the main attractions of the reserve, which has a rich flora and fauna, with rare specimens. And if you have experience in the field, you will be able to practice mountaineering or paragliding in Turda Gorge.

And many, many more...

Another nature reserve, Turda Gorge (or Tureni Gorge) is also located just 12 kilometres from Turda. The Borzești Gorge is also very close (only 5 kilometres). Other objectives that you can visit are Arieș Valley, Huda lui Papară and Poarta Zmeilor caves, Șipote Cascade or Aiud Gorge. And many, many more, about which we will give you more information when you cross our threshold!