Baile Tusnad: Thermal Waters, Peaks and History

Nature and Peaks

In Băile Tușnad, the 824 m-high andesite tower Piatra Șoimilor rises above the Olt Valley. From there, panoramic views extend across the natural surroundings. The Piatra Șoimilor nature reserve is home to two yellow hawkweed species found only there in Romania: Teleki’s hawkweed (Hieracium telekianum) and Hieracium piloselloides. Surduc Peak, Cetatii Peak, Ciomatul Mic Peak and Ciomatul Mare Peak are located in the vicinity of Băile Tuşnad. This means that, in addition to the individual viewpoint, several named peaks are also found in the area around the town. In this section of the Olt Valley, the landscape combines views from the andesite tower with a nature reserve in which two locally restricted plant occurrences have been documented. The peaks mentioned add further prominent points in the immediate surroundings to this description.

Culture and History

Bastionul Apor was built in 1883 at an elevation of 761 m on the lower part of Surduc Peak. During the renovation of the bastion in 2017, an exhibition area was created inside. The exhibition area contains panels with archive images and a brief account of the history of Bastionul Apor. Bastionul Apor is also a viewpoint and resting place. It was never used as a strategic object. Thus, several historical details come together at this site: its construction in 1883, its location at an elevation of 761 m, its renovation in 2017, and its present-day function as an exhibition space, viewpoint and resting place. The history of the bastion is conveyed not only through its external location, but also through the interior area created with archive images and a brief account.

The Orthodox Church of Băile Tușnad is painted inside. Its exterior surfaces are also painted. It is presented as a copy of Voroneț Monastery. The Izvorul Apor spring is located in the spa town of Băile Tuşnad. It is generally accessible and is situated in a decorative pavilion. The cultural and local features therefore include both the painted church, with its connection to Voroneț Monastery, and the Izvorul Apor spring in the decorative pavilion.

Wellness in the Spa Town

Wellness Tușnad is located in the centre of the spa town of Băile Tușnad, next to Lacul Ciucaș. The facility includes a thermal-water pool. The wellness area comprises a Finnish sauna, a steam cabin and an infrared sauna. A salt room and a massage salon are also part of this area. The facility therefore offers a thermal-water pool and several differently designated areas: Finnish sauna, steam cabin, infrared sauna, salt room and massage salon. Its location in the centre next to Lacul Ciucaș is also one of the features described for Wellness Tușnad.

Railway and Wider Surroundings

Băile Tuşnad is served by the CF 400 Brașov–Deda railway line. Services are operated by Regio and Inter-Regio trains. In the wider regional surroundings of Băile Tuşnad are Casa Memorială Imre Nagy, a historic site, Mânăstirea Ortodoxă Sfântul Nicolae Monastery, Monumentul Luptei Anticomuniste and Monumentul Eroului Român. The regional destinations therefore include a memorial site expressly described as a historic place, a monastery and two monuments. Together with the CF 400 Brașov–Deda railway line and the Regio and Inter-Regio trains operating on it, this section describes both the wider surroundings and the railway connection mentioned.

You can find more places here: Băile Homorod, Praid, Lazarea, Bălan, Sâncrai, Dănești, Subcetate and Izvoare.

For the higher-level travel overview: Harghita.