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- Targoviste – A Capital’s CharmDrobeta Turnu Severin – A Bridge Across The AgesSearching For Tranquility Around BucharestCalimanesti, Olanesti, Govora – Oltenia’s Health SpringsAlba Iulia and Codex AureusIasi – A City Imbued With History and CultureThe Deva Fortress – Active Witness to Transylvania’s HistoryRupea Stronghold, The Core of Brasov CountyScarisoara Cave, Glacier Chill in Summer TimeMuierilor Cave, Symbol of Fertility and HolinessOrsova – Heavy Industry Meets the Roman EmpireThe Heaven of Cherry Orchards, in CetateleCurtisoara Museum – a Cradle of SpiritualityBaile Felix – a Balneary Resort for All AgesIzei Valley – Maramures Finest Traditions and LocationsHarman – A Small Part of Brasov’s CultureMuseums and places to visit in OradeaVidraru Dam and Lake, a Wonder of Nature, Confined by ManAncient Cities in the Constanta AreaSfantul Ioan Domnesc Monument-Church – The Shadow of Stefan cel MarePutna Monastery – The Spiritual Center of MoldaviaOcnele Mari: Salt Mines, Spa and Rich HistoryBaile Govora – One of The Oldest Romanian SpasCraiova – The Heart of OlteniaRules for Visiting the Protected Nature AreasArad – One Millenia on the Banks of MuresTargu Jiu and the Endless ColumnBucura Lake – The Largest Glacier Lake in RomaniaTraveling to Sfantu GheorgheLipscani – “The Old Leipzig” of BucharestCule – Strange Strongholds of a Riotous PastVatra DorneiCluj NapocaDobrudja and the Danube DeltaBucharest – an european capitalBrasov – Part of the “Heart” of RomaniaTimisoara, Little ViennaRosia MontanaPeriam “Rock la Mures” FestSinaiaVama VecheSighisoara, medieval heavenHunedoaraSighisoaraSibiu – modernity with a German touchA visit in Piatra-NeamtVama Veche versus MamaiaThe mountain tourism in RomaniaA trip to Muntii ApuseniAn incursion in legends – BranTrips and winter sports on Valea PrahoveiTransilvania – The medieval land of StrongholdsBucovina and Northern MoldaviaMaramures – A Land From TalesTan and Fun at the Black SeaA wild land – The Danube Delta
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Ocnele Mari: Salt Mines, Spa and Rich History
Ocnele Mari also hosted numerous religious settlements like a sixteenth century church that crumbled before 1676, and was rebuilt shortly after bearing the name of Saint Gheorghe. In Ocna, as the place was also known, the monastery Sfantul Ioan Zlataust (Titireciu) was founded, receiving vast domains from the ruler of the country.
Fountains were famous in this ages-old settlement, one of the most important being "Fantana Domneasca", which many claimed was built by Negru Voda.
In more recent history, Ocnele Mari was mostly known for the penitenciary with the same name, where many political prisoners were sent during the communist regime. The penitenciary is now gone, due to the crumbling of the salt mine. Soon after the communist regime was officially installed, the Ocnele Mari penitenciary became one of the most important concentration camps for the prisoners taken from the members of the National Movement of Anticommunist Resistance.
One of the most important figures incarcerated here was thinker Petre Tutea. He had initiated a protest through threats of mass suicide among the prisoners, in case their conditions didn't change. Many great personalities of Romanian culture were exterminated at Ocnele Mari and buried as anonymous people in the Borzeasca cemetery. As a result of Tutea's protest, the regime created a reeducation centre for minors, to cover up the entire mess made by the penitenciary.
Starting from 1812, Ocnele Mari became renowned for its clorosodic and iodinated waters, plus the mud baths, used for many treatments in the local spa. This establishment uses the old salt mine entrance Balta Rosie, which is 120 metres deep. The curative water and mud are used to treat rheumatic diseases or gynecological illnesses. So many tourists from Craiova visit this place, that Ocnele Mari is now unofficially known as the "Sea of Craiova".
Author: Alex Stanescu
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