Description
From: Maramures County, Lakes and Dams, Maramures
This lake is unique due to its main feature: no other country in the world has a lake that changes color depending on the light shining on it or the people swimming in it.
ABOUT THE BLUE LAKE
The Blue Lake is approximately 3 km away from Baia Sprie. This is a natural tourist attraction formed by the collapse of a mining gallery, in which rain water accumulated over time. With a total surface of half an acre and an almost circular shape, Blue Lake is located on the south-western slope of the Mine Hill.
The first feeling you get when you walk towards the lake is that you are approaching the mouth of a volcano. According to the latest official measurements, the lake is about 50 m wide and only 4 m deep. However, the locals and their stories tell a different tale. It is said that the lake stretches endlessly and connects to the Black Sea via underground galleries. People here have said for a long time that the galleries of the collapsed mine are deep and very convoluted underground, and that what is visible at the surface nowadays is only a small part compared to what lies beneath.
The worrywarts claim that the entire town of Baia Sprie is in danger of sinking because of the underground tunnels. Contrary to these claims, none of the people living in the area has ever felt the ground slip beneath his or her feet. Apart from all its legends, this lake remains a unique tourist attraction due to the ever-changing color of its water. When the mine is flooded, due to the sulfur, the water has a deep green, lightly blue tint. If several people swim in the green water of the lake, it becomes a deeper blue. In spite of the chemicals in the water and of the presence of sulfuric acid (7.8 g per liter), the water, with a pH of 4, is not dangerous and does not harm swimmers.
Man’s presence was felt during the formation of the lake, but not in a detrimental way. The lake is not overly modernized, and thus remains an increasingly sought-after destination for young people looking for a bit of romance. The inns in the area have made it attractive for ATV owners, for the terrain here which allows for adrenaline-filled rides, and also for the more relaxed tourists who just want to have a barbecue with the family in the quiet of the forest. The picture of Blue Lake is perfectly complemented by the coniferous forests surrounding its shores.
Another attraction in the area is the Potter House, a rustic inn which offers a pottery show. Furthermore, is you like traditions and have a thing for handicrafts, you can make your own clay pot and take it home with you.
GOOD TO KNOW WHEN YOU TRAVEL HERE
The Blue Lake is located in the town of Baia Sprie, Maramures County. The distance from Bucharest to Baia Sprie is about 561 km by car.