Slănic
Encyclopedia
Slănic is one of the 14 towns of Prahova County
, Romania
, historically and currently known as a salt extraction center, as well as a spa town
, with salt lakes. Two villages, Groşani and Prăjani, are administered by the town.
in Slavonic) suggests, most of Slănic's history and economy are directly related to the presence of relatively large quantities of salt underground, and even in open air.
Slănic is also the name of the creek
flowing through the town, tributary of Vărbilău River
, which in turns is a tributary of Teleajen River
.
Although technically incorrect, the compounded name Slănic Prahova is also being used, especially in other parts of Romania. This alternative name was probably generated to help discern between Slănic and another Romanian town, Slănic-Moldova.
The town is famous for its salt lakes (or Băi): The Shepherd’s (Baia Baciului), The Green (Baia Verde) and The Red (Baia Roşie) Lakes, as well as for the Old (Salina Veche
) and New (Salina Nouă) Salt Mines
. While salt is still being extracted from the New Salt Mine, the Old Mine is open to the public now, being used as a spa
, amusement center and museum of the salt mining industry. International contests of Indoor Model Aircraft Flying (Modellism) take place annually in the upper level (Mina Mihai) of the Old Mine.
Other worthwhile tourist objectives, all within easy reach for any untrained hiker
, are a local water spring named The Cold Fountain (Fântâna Rece), the TV Relay Tower (Releu) beyond The Fir Forest (Pădurea de Brazi), Beacon's Hill (Dealul cu Semn), The Salt Mountain (Muntele de Sare) with the legendary Bride's Cave (Grota Miresei), now partially collapsed due to rain erosion, as well as The Green Rock (Piatra Verde) and The Colt's Small Hill (Deluşorul Mânzului
).
Prahova County
Prahova is a county of Romania, in the historical region Muntenia, with the capital city at Ploieşti.-Demographics:In 2002, it had a population of 829,945 and the population density was 176/km². It is Romania's most populated county, having a population density double than the country's mean...
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
, historically and currently known as a salt extraction center, as well as a spa town
Spa town
A spa town is a town situated around a mineral spa . Patrons resorted to spas to "take the waters" for their purported health benefits. The word comes from the Belgian town Spa. In continental Europe a spa was known as a ville d'eau...
, with salt lakes. Two villages, Groşani and Prăjani, are administered by the town.
Etymology
As its name (saltSalt
In chemistry, salts are ionic compounds that result from the neutralization reaction of an acid and a base. They are composed of cations and anions so that the product is electrically neutral...
in Slavonic) suggests, most of Slănic's history and economy are directly related to the presence of relatively large quantities of salt underground, and even in open air.
Slănic is also the name of the creek
Stream
A stream is a body of water with a current, confined within a bed and stream banks. Depending on its locale or certain characteristics, a stream may be referred to as a branch, brook, beck, burn, creek, "crick", gill , kill, lick, rill, river, syke, bayou, rivulet, streamage, wash, run or...
flowing through the town, tributary of Vărbilău River
Varbilau River
The Vărbilău River is a tributary of the Slănic River in Romania. It starts at the junction of headwaters Vărsăturile, and Clăbucet-References:* Administraţia Naţională Apelor Române - Cadastrul Apelor - Bucureşti...
, which in turns is a tributary of Teleajen River
Teleajen River
The Teleajen River in southern Romania is a tributary of the Prahova River. Its source is located in the Ciucaş Mountains in the locality of Cheia, at the junction of headwaters Cheiţa and Tâmpa River...
.
Although technically incorrect, the compounded name Slănic Prahova is also being used, especially in other parts of Romania. This alternative name was probably generated to help discern between Slănic and another Romanian town, Slănic-Moldova.
Tourism
Salina Veche
Salina Veche is an old salt mine, located in Slănic, Prahova County, Romania, just 100 km north of Bucharest. The salt mine is closed for extraction purposes, but is open for visitors, featuring a microclimate with natural air-conditioning and constant temperature and atmospheric pressure...
) and New (Salina Nouă) Salt Mines
Salt mine
A salt mine is a mining operation involved in the extraction of rock salt or halite from evaporite deposits.-Occurrence:Areas known for their salt mines include Kilroot near Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland ; Khewra and Warcha in Pakistan; Tuzla in Bosnia; Wieliczka and Bochnia in Poland A salt mine...
. While salt is still being extracted from the New Salt Mine, the Old Mine is open to the public now, being used as a spa
Spa
The term spa is associated with water treatment which is also known as balneotherapy. Spa towns or spa resorts typically offer various health treatments. The belief in the curative powers of mineral waters goes back to prehistoric times. Such practices have been popular worldwide, but are...
, amusement center and museum of the salt mining industry. International contests of Indoor Model Aircraft Flying (Modellism) take place annually in the upper level (Mina Mihai) of the Old Mine.
Other worthwhile tourist objectives, all within easy reach for any untrained hiker
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, are a local water spring named The Cold Fountain (Fântâna Rece), the TV Relay Tower (Releu) beyond The Fir Forest (Pădurea de Brazi), Beacon's Hill (Dealul cu Semn), The Salt Mountain (Muntele de Sare) with the legendary Bride's Cave (Grota Miresei), now partially collapsed due to rain erosion, as well as The Green Rock (Piatra Verde) and The Colt's Small Hill (Deluşorul Mânzului
Delusorul Mânzului
Deluşorul Mânzului is a Romanian hill, a natural landmark in Slănic , whose name comes from the fact that it is covered with the plant horsetail ....
).
External links
- Memoirs de la Mine by Sabina Ispas. (Map of region, pictures, brief history of the town)
- Tourism Slanic Prahova (Great pictures taken underground, in the Old Salt Mine)
- History of Jewish communities worldwide. (Brief description of the town, some historic data)
- despre Slanic (Pictures and some information on town's history/economy/tourism - text in Romanian
- Romanian Modellism Federation (Results of the 2006 Edition of the World Championship of Indoor Aircraft, Slanic, Romania)
- International Aeronautic Federation (Program of the 2006 Edition of the World Championship of Indoor Aircraft - Slanic, Romania)