Discover Mittelstadt: Lakes, Peaks and Pottery Tradition

Nature

The Traseul Minier Principal leads to the 730 m-high summit of Dealul Minei. This summit offers a panorama of the surrounding area. Lacul Albastru lies on the southern slope of Dealul Minei at an elevation of 530 m. The body of water is a national nature reserve within the administrative territory of the city of Baia Sprie.

Lacul Albastru was formed between 1919 and 1920. At that time, water accumulated in the depression created by the collapse of a mine or by surface works. To this day, the lake changes color depending on the season. In spring, Lacul Albastru appears blue and turquoise, especially in April and May. In summer, the water appears emerald green; in autumn, it is greenish-brown.

Lacul Bodi lies at an elevation of 731 m at the foot of Vârful Mogoșa. The peak is also known as Muntele Negru. Vârful Igniș reaches 1,307 m and lies on a volcanic plateau. There you will find striking rock formations as well as blueberry and lingonberry bushes.

Routes

The Puțul Francisc și Borcut route leads to the ruins of Puțul Francisc. The Traseul Minier Principal, by contrast, connects the starting point with the summit of Dealul Minei and ends there with a panorama of the surrounding area. Thus, the described network of routes includes both a destination with mining-history ruins and a summit trail with an explicitly mentioned viewpoint.

Culture and Crafts

Two miners’ banners are displayed in the Biserica romano-catolică Sf. Maria. One banner dates from 1886 and the other from 1889. The banner of the potters’ guild from 1852 is also housed there. The church therefore preserves banners from both mining and local crafts.

Baia Sprie has a long-standing pottery tradition. Daniel Leș is regarded as the city’s last potter. Chiuzbaia also has four functioning Vâltori. They are used for washing and are also local tourist attractions. Their functionality and the stated washing function are just as much part of the description as their additional classification as attractions.

For a stay in Baia Sprie, a vacation apartment is one possible form of accommodation; the decision regarding a specific accommodation remains a matter of individual travel planning.

Surroundings

The Muzeul Judeţean de Artă Maramureş Baia Mare, the Muzeul Satului Baia Mare, and the Muzeul de Etnografie şi Artă Populară Baia Mare are located in the vicinity of Baia Sprie. The Gradina Zoologică Baia Mare and the Monumentul Ostaşului Român Baia Mare are also nearby.

The mountain Piciorul Herjei is part of the immediate surroundings of Baia Sprie. The peaks Dealul Someş and Dealul Florilor are also located in the surrounding area.

Further afield are Săpânța, Poienile Izei, Leordina, Baia Mare, Sarasău, Botiza, Hoteni and Seini.

For the higher-level travel overview: Maramureş.