Bear Lake and its three records

Jezioro Niedźwiedzie

Bear Lake (Lacul Ursu), located in the central part of Romania, in Transylvania, in the town of Sovata, is one of the country’s most interesting natural and tourist destinations. Its uniqueness comes not only from its picturesque location, but also from a rare phenomenon that makes the lake’s water warm and salty. Three world records are associated with the lake.

How the heliothermic phenomenon affects the temperature of Bear Lake

Bear Lake is the largest heliothermic lake in the world. The phenomenon was first defined by Kalecsinszky Sándor, who studied the reservoir between 1898 and 1901. He concluded that the phenomenon is shaped by water from streams that constantly flow into the lake, creating a layer of fresh water a few centimeters above the salty surface. In this way, fresh water with a lower density causes a greenhouse effect, preventing the heat-accumulating salt water from rising to the surface and cooling.

The temperature of Bear Lake has declined in recent decades. Due to tourist and recreational use, its water is constantly mixed. This has lowered the temperature of the salty part to below 40°C and it now no longer reaches the previously recorded 70°C. The fact that the amount of incoming freshwater has decreased also played an important role in lowering the temperature in the reservoir. The thinner the fresh layer on the surface, the cooler the lake water. The highest temperature is recorded at the beginning of the tourist season, in July, and then it drops significantly as early as the end of August.

Bear Lake – characteristics of the largest heliothermal lake

Bear Lake is located at an altitude of 475 meters above sea level and is the largest of the seven heliothermal lakes in Sovata, being also the largest reservoir of its kind in the world. It covers an area of about 40,000square meters, and its maximum depth reaches 18 meters. The lake’s salinity is due to the presence of rock salt in its bedrock. Salt is supplied by underground springs, which further enriches the water with minerals. Part of the lake is open to tourists. A bathing area has been organized here. It can be used during certain hours, after which there is a break for the water layers to stabilize.

Mountain of salt

The formation of the salt massifs in Transylvania began millions of years ago, when the Transylvanian Depression was still covered by the sea. This salt is now visible in the form of exposed slopes. The origins of its exploitation date back to the Roman period, when the mines at Sovata and Praid were put into operation. This activity continued well into the Middle Ages. The mine near Bear Lake was the center of salt production. Today, he combines production activities with tourism. The climate of the mine and the mineral waters in Sovat are used for medicinal purposes. Conditions there help treat asthma, allergies and other respiratory diseases.

Medicinal properties of water

The water in Bear Lake has numerous healing properties, thanks to its high content of salts and minerals such as magnesium, calcium and potassium. Patients visiting this place enjoy baths that help treat rheumatic and dermatological conditions, as well as support rehabilitation after injuries and surgeries. The town of Sovata is known not only for its heliothermal lakes, but also for its rich history and distinctive architecture. Many of the buildings, both public and private, are made of wood, which gives a special rustic character to the whole. The wooden architectural elements, including ornate balustrades, carved details and traditional steep roofs, are beautifully set against the backdrop of the green hills and dense forests surrounding Sovata. They are reminiscent of Polish spas such as Iwonicz Zdrój, Rymanow or Krynica.

Flora and fauna

The lake’s environment, despite its salinity, is home to many plant and animal species that have adapted to these specific conditions. Around the reservoir grows a rich flora capable of living even at high salt concentrations, including various species of grasses and halophytic plants. The fauna of the region includes small aquatic organisms adapted to life in a salty environment, as well as water birds, which find ideal conditions for themselves here.

In contrast, bears, wolves, lynx or wildcats can be found in the forests. It would seem that few plant species will survive on such saline soil. Meanwhile, the surrounding hills are overgrown with dense mixed forest, and the undergrowth here is exceptionally diverse. Scientists say that a similar place exists at the Dead Sea, but the flora is not found near that reservoir. The presence of lush vegetation on saline soil is rare in the world.

Three records

Three world records or rather three curiosities are associated with the site. The first is that the reservoir is the largest and warmest heliothermal lake in the world, the second: it is the only saltwater lake surrounded by salt mountains covered with rich vegetation, and the third: it is the only natural lake in the world whose date of formation is known to the minute (!).

Jozsa Andras, a researcher of the region, says it was created on May 27, 1875, at 11:00 a.m., at the site of a pasture through which two streams flowed, which disappeared into a pit dug into the salt mountain. According to the historian, at that very moment, after a heavy rain, the waters collected hay and plant debris from the pasture, with which they plugged the hole in the salt mountain, giving rise to the reservoir. Other sources say that a salt mine collapse then occurred, causing the drainage of nearby streams to become blocked. Either way, the exact date of the lake’s creation is known.

Via Transilvanica – a route through the heart of nature and culture

The beginning of Sovata as a resort dates back to the late 19th century. Since then, the locality has been developing rapidly. Today it is well equipped with tourist infrastructure, including hotels, restaurants and spas. Situated among the mountains, with its distinctive architecture and many attractions, it is a kind of gem with a unique atmosphere. A walking and recreational trail has been created around the lake. There is a jogging path, outdoor gyms and nature information boards. Paths also lead to viewpoints, including places where salt deposits are exposed.

The city is ideal for nature lovers who can explore the surrounding hiking and biking trails leading through charming forests and mountains. Sovata also attracts winter sports enthusiasts, offering ski slopes. Numerous festivals and cultural events are held here, reflecting the rich culture of the Transylvanian region. Folklore festivals, concerts and craft fairs are great opportunities to learn about local traditions and cuisine.

An additional advantage of this place is that it lies on the Via Transilvanica route. This recently opened trail stretches 1,400 kilometers and leads through wild and beautiful terrain, most of it mountainous. It is a combination of the beauty of primordial nature, historical monuments, but also images of simple life and traditions that are still alive. It is also the world’s largest outdoor exhibition of contemporary art. Along the 1,400 kilometers, artists who created sculptures on the granite pillars marking the route showcase their work. It is a rarity in the world, which is worth exploring if only for a small section.

Sustainability in practice

The lake and its surroundings are a protected area. In 2000. A nature reserve was established there, covering an area of 79 hectares. Protecting the unique environment requires addressing a number of challenges, mainly due to increasing tourist pressure. Conservation measures include water quality monitoring, protection from pollution and environmental education. Educational programs aimed at tourists and residents are designed to promote responsible practices.

Bear Lake is an example of how unique natural resources can contribute to regional development while requiring responsible approaches and conservation measures to ensure their sustainability for future generations. This picturesque corner of Romania remains one of Europe’s most valuable natural and cultural destinations to consider when planning your holiday wanderings.

The author is an ecologist by training and passion. She graduated from the Faculty of Biology and Earth Sciences at the University of Lodz and holds a master’s degree in environmental protection. Since 1993. activist in the environmental movement, co-founder of the Center for Ecological Activities Sources Lodz. There she was involved in education, was involved in many conservation campaigns, and edited a quarterly magazine on animal rights. In 2000-2003, she was associated with the Workshop for All Beings, where she worked on wildlife conservation and wrote texts for the magazine Wild Life. Since 2005. still works at the Institute of Civil Affairs, and is also a columnist for Civil Affairs Weekly. He has lived in Transylvania for 20 years and promotes topics related to the nature and culture of Romania in Poland.

Assistant Icon

Używamy plików cookie, aby zapewnić najlepszą jakość korzystania z Internetu. Zgadzając się, zgadzasz się na użycie plików cookie zgodnie z naszą polityką plików cookie.

Close Popup
Privacy Settings saved!
Ustawienie prywatności

Kiedy odwiedzasz dowolną witrynę internetową, może ona przechowywać lub pobierać informacje w Twojej przeglądarce, głównie w formie plików cookie. Tutaj możesz kontrolować swoje osobiste usługi cookie.

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems.

Technical Cookies
In order to use this website we use the following technically required cookies
  • wordpress_test_cookie
  • wordpress_logged_in_
  • wordpress_sec

Cloudflare
For perfomance reasons we use Cloudflare as a CDN network. This saves a cookie "__cfduid" to apply security settings on a per-client basis. This cookie is strictly necessary for Cloudflare's security features and cannot be turned off.
  • __cfduid

Odrzuć
Zapisz
Zaakceptuj

music-cover