Ocna Sibiului is a spa resort that developed around twelve notable man-made salt lakes. They shape the character of the town and offer different ways to explore its landscape: through the distinctive layering of the water, the formation of individual lakes, and their varying natural properties. The town also has its own cultural story, with churches dating back several centuries.
Salt lakes with distinctive properties
One distinctive feature of the lakes is helothermy. It occurs when a less saline layer of water lies on the surface above more saline water. The term describes a particular layering of the water and offers a unique way to learn more about the lakes, alongside their number and their significance in the development of the spa resort.
The history of Lacul fără fund is linked to the former salt mining industry: the lake formed at the site of a former salt mine that was abandoned in the mid-18th century. Other lakes are notable for measurable properties. At 160 metres deep, Lacul Avram Iancu is Romania’s deepest man-made salt lake. With a salinity of 400 g/l, Lacul Brâncoveanu is among the saltiest lakes in the country. These examples offer three different perspectives on the lakes: their origins, their depth, and their salinity.
Water and its uses
The lakes’ highly concentrated salt waters are among Ocna Sibiului’s natural therapeutic factors. The salt lakes also offer opportunities for swimming and mud treatments. If you would like to include these activities in your plans, check current operating information before your visit.
When choosing a focus for your trip, you can weigh the water and spa experience against the historic sights. Depth and salinity, in turn, describe different properties of the lakes: the 160 metres of Lacul Avram Iancu refer to its depth, while the 400 g/l of Lacul Brâncoveanu indicate its salinity. These are two specific characteristics, not measures of the same kind.
Churches and historical periods
The Reformed Calvinist Church of Ocna Sibiului is a three-aisled Romanesque basilica dating from 1240. “Three-aisled” describes the division of the church interior into three aisles; together with its Romanesque design and the date, this church offers a clear window onto the town’s earlier architectural history.
Another historical reference concerns the Brâncoveanu de Sus Church, originally endowed by Mihai Viteazul in 1600. The churchyard is located at the archaeological site of the church dedicated to “Sf. Ioan Botezătorul.” The Orthodox church was built at the beginning of the 19th century. Taken together, these dates provide different points of reference for the religious architectural history of Ocna Sibiului.
Plan your stay around your interests
If you are especially interested in the salt lakes, helothermy, their history of formation, and their different measurements offer specific topics to explore. The churches provide a cultural and historical focus. You can weigh these two perspectives when deciding whether to visit Ocna Sibiului, without committing to a fixed itinerary.
The Drumul sării route may also be relevant to your trip planning: Ocna Sibiului is included in all three listed variations. This offers another perspective on the town, alongside the choice between lakes and churches. When looking for a hotel, it may help to first consider which of these interests matters most for your stay.
Discover more destinations: Orlat, Arpaşu De Sus, Pojana, Gunzendorf, Tălmaciu, Sadu, Mediasch, Slimnic.
Go to the main travel overview: Hermannstadt.
