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Assignment for the Süddeutsche Zeitung Magazin
The Salina Turda is a former Transylvanian salt mine located close-by the municipality of Turda in Romania. The exploitation began in 1075 before the Romanian government decided to stop the activity in 1932. The salt mine was the main livelihood in town. It was not until 1992 that the inhabitants, who suffered from respiratory and skin issues, decided to reclaim the mine. Indeed, having a very high salt concentration in the atmosphere, the mine benefits from a healthy environment to strengthen the immune system.The rehabilitation of the two chambers of 8000 m² total required long years of engineering works. From 2008 to 2010 the mine has undergone its biggest transformation to become an underground leisure park. Since its final transformation, the Salina Turda - owned by the local council - has become the country’s flagship attraction; in 2008 it was the most visited site in the country. In 2017, the former mine welcomed 620,000 visitors.
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View from the stairs on the Rudolf balcony. Its chamber has the same name. The latter is 42 meters deep, 50 meters wide and
80 meters long. Since it reopened in 1992, the mine has undergone many modifications to attract tourists. In addition to a Ferris Wheel
made of steel by a local company, several structures mostly made of pine wood (which is non oxidisable) allow younger and adults to relax,
breathe a salty air and enjoy a good moment. Turda, Romania - June 17, 2018. -
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Two elderly people use indoor cycles in the treatment room of the Gizela mine. Halotherapy is known for curing (thanks to salt in caves)
breathing issues such as, among others, asthma. The Salina Turda medical staff advises a 7 to 12 days cure (4 hours per day).
Turda, Romania - June 20, 2018. -
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A group of tourists passes by a wet cavity before entering the extraction well hall. Turda, Romania - June 15, 2018.
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In the Theresa chamber, two visitors enjoy a boat ride on the black lake at a depth of 112 meters. The lake was formed following
a voluntary flooding of the cavity during mine works. Turda, Romania - June 15, 2018. -
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The Ferris Wheel is one of the most unusual attractions in the Rudolf chamber. It was installed by a local company after many months
to bring the materials through the cavities of the mine. It’s the only steel structure of the Salina Turda. To prevent salt-related corrosion,
it is monitored by a technical team every week. Turda, Romania - June 16, 2018. -
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Visitors play table tennis in the Rudolf chamber. The many facilities allow visitors to breathe a healthy air while practicing sports
activities. Turda, Romania - June 17, 2018. -
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View from the salt island of Theresa chamber, located 112 meters below the level of the earth. The dug conical chamber offers an
incredible spectacle where the artificial lights illuminate the walls of salt. Turda, Romania - June 17, 2018. -
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2,5 years old Romanian Dahlia stares at Theo, 4 and Anna, 3 who plays in a saltpit created for sick children in the treatment room.
Both suffers from lung and nose issues. The medical staff advised their parents to undertake a 15 days treatment for several years
since 2017. Turda, Romania - June 20 2018.
