Slănic


Slănic is one of the 12 towns of Prahova County, Muntenia, Romania, historically and currently known as a salt extraction center, as well as a spa town, with salt lakes. Two villages, Groșani and Prăjani, are administered by the town.

Etymology

As its name suggests, most of Slănic's history and economy are directly related to the presence of relatively large quantities of salt underground, and even in open air.
Slănic is also the name of the creek flowing through the town, tributary of Vărbilău River, which in turn is a tributary of Teleajen River.
Although technically incorrect, the compounded name Slănic Prahova is also being used, especially in other parts of Romania. This alternative name was probably generated to help discern between Slănic and another Romanian town, Slănic-Moldova.

Tourism

The town is famous for its salt lakes : The Shepherd’s, The Green and The Red Lakes, as well as for the Old and New Salt Mines. While salt is still being extracted from the New Salt Mine, the Old Mine is open to the public now, being used as a spa, amusement center and museum of the salt mining industry. International contests of Indoor Model Aircraft Flying take place annually in the upper level of the Old Mine.
Other worthwhile tourist objectives, all within easy reach for any untrained hiker, are a local water spring named The Cold Fountain, the TV Relay Tower beyond The Fir Forest, Beacon's Hill, The Salt Mountain with the legendary Bride's Cave, now partially collapsed due to rain erosion, as well as The Green Rock and The Colt's Small Hill.