|
|
|
|
|
|
Near Slanic Prahova, Prahova County, there is a small salt mountain beside a salt lake, called Baia Baiului.
The effect was like a cup on its side, with the salt lake in the cup, overshadowed by the mountain.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe approximately 1992
The lake was always cold, and over thirty metres deep. Experts who examined this lake many years ago found in it springs of sweet, unsalted water. They predicted correctly that the fresh water would dissolve the salt and destroy the walls of the cave.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe approximately 1992
Now the salt mountain has fallen into the lake. It may have been preventable, with enough research and effort.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th July 2008
The fresh water springs may well re-create the cave and the lake, but for the present the whole effect has been destroyed.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th July 2008
A general view of one of the rooms of the cave. It is very hard to take good pictures there, because the spaces are huge and the light is poor. The mine has a temperature all year round of about 12 degree Celsius, and an atmospheric pressure of 730 mmHg.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th July 2008
In the mine is a display, the deepest in Europe, with statues carved of salt of the ancient King Decebal of the Dac people, and also of Traian, the Roman Emperor, as well as many others.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th July 2008
This is the lift to go down into the mine. There are still the remains of the wooden stairs which were originally used by the workers to go down into the mine.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th July 2008
Alina and Alex standing in front of some of the equipment used in the salt mine.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th July 2008
In the huge cave there are places for selling food and eating it, as well as for playing sports, as well as a hospital. There are recreation areas for children, a church, a display of minerals, shops, and a very large area for walking around the huge mine.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th July 2008
A general view of the Salt Museum at Slanic Prahova.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th July 2008
This is the ancient method for extracting salt from underground, by the hard work of a single man, with iron hand tools and very low productivity.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th July 2008
Even later, in modern times, it was very difficult to work underground, because only hand tools were used, and the working conditions were very hard.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th July 2008
A display of work in a modern salt mine, using machines and mining cars to dig and extract the salt.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th July 2008
