5 weird and unusual attractions in Romania

Salina Turda has around 2,000 years of history behind it and is now the largest salt mine museum in the world. Located in Transylvania, the salt mine is now a brightly lit underground art theme park, located 120 m (394 ft) below the surface. The salt mine was closed in 1932, but was used in World War II as a bomb shelter. Now the mine has become an epic tourist attraction with its massive, science fiction-like amusement park, underground lake and even a spa.

Everyone has their own way of remembering deceased relatives and friends, but often their gravestones tell little of the person themselves – just the regular RIP. The town of Sapanta has a different way of remembering their dead. Tombstones are depicted as bright, cheerful images relating to the person and offer more about how they died, including some really funny comments. One relates to a mother-in-law who, if awoken, would “bite off the head” of her son or daughter-in-law.

This mysterious cave is located outside the village of Sinca Veche and has a number of names. Some call it “The Monastery,” others, “The Temple of Destiny.” However, while it dates back some 7,000 years, the origins of the temple cave are unknown. It definitely has religious connotations, as over the years a Chinese yin-yang symbol has appeared along with a Star of David, but there is no evidence of Christian crosses. The cave consists of nine different rooms, lit by chimney-like skylights.

The building was constructed in 1903 by Greek bankers but was confiscated by the Communist regime during the 1950s. It became a general store, but was later abandoned. The building was more recently turned into one of the most beautiful book shops in the world. There are three stories, displaying around 10,000 books, with beautifully curved balconies and a tea house on the top floor, offering views over the whole book shop.

Pestera Ursilor is located in the Apuseni Mountains, close to Chiscau Village. The cave system was found in 1975 and scientists discovered a massive amount of bones belonging to extinct cave bears, dating back some 27,000 years. The cave also has impressive geological forms to view, in four different galleries.