Eastern Europe: The Salt Mines/Miklosvar

Day 11 - July 25th, 2012
Sibiu, Romania - Praid, Romania - Miklosvar, Romania

In Sibiu we wandered around the old part of the city (which I think might be a UNESCO site).  We saw the different squares, the towers, the churches, and everything.  We did all we could with the little energy we had while trying to see it all.

Under Repair

Roof Tiles

Statue

The Fountain

The Sadness of Sweeping

Sibiu

An Old House

In the Square

Houses with Eyes

We had looped back to the car and then were on our way.  On our first day, when we were in Bucharest, we asked the proprietor of our hostel to tell us what to see in Romania... one of the things he mentioned was the Praid Salt Mine.  The mine has been in use since the Romans began pulling salt out of the earth at the time of Christ and since it is still in use you can only imagine how much salt has been pulled out of the earth.  This absence has left a great void in the earth in the shape of enormous caverns.  The caverns have been opened to the public where you can take a 1 km+ bus ride into the earth and into the mine.  The air in the mine is much cleaner than on the surface, and the air filtered through the stone is used to treat a number of conditions.  Because of this people spend several hours a day (during treatment) in the mine and there are many ways to be entertained.  People play badminton, or cards.  Children have multiple playgrounds to explore.  There are picnic tables to sit at and ethernet cables for those requiring the internet.  There is even a cafe and restaurant!  We visited all of these things, as well as the chapel with the nativity scene cut in stone.  The caverns were mondiferous!

The Way Down

Going Down

Praid Salt Mine

In the Mine (Dark)

In the Mine

Playground

Caverns

Folds in the Rock

Rock Formations

The Chapel

A Nativity in Stone

Texting

The Cavern

The Restaurant

Having our fill of the grand caverns in the mine we took the bus back out and returned to the car.  Our final drive for the next few days was to Miklosvar where we were staying at Count Kalnoky's Guesthouses.  We found Miklosvar alright, and when we accidentally drove through it we turned around and read our directions more carefully.  The main grounds in the town was at the bottom of the hill and when we found it we took a little alley around the back and parked our car in the courtyard.  We had just gotten out of the car when our hostess approached.  She introduced herself and invited us in to rest, since we mush have been tired from travel.  She offered us brandy, which we declined, and then offered us elder flower juice.  After the long hot drive, and the long hot day, that juice was wonderful.  We sat in a fourish hundred year old house with antique everything.



Arrival in Miklosvar

The Grounds

Roofstar

The Gate

Outside the Grounds

After our drink we were guided to our room, which was in another part of the village, and we got settled in.  Supper was at eight.  We explored our antique residence, and looked quickly at the grounds.  Coming upon eight we walked towards the main compound.  We looked at the beautiful dining room, which was set with two tables and ready, and then we waited.  Supper at the Count's was supposed to start at eight... however, for the entire time we were there it started a bit late... fifteen minutes late... because, at eight fifteen it was rush hour in Miklosvar.  The cows, who had been grazing all day, made their way back down the hill and to their homes.  Each cow seemed to live with a different family, and without prompting they made their way to their individual homes.  I was amazed.  I watched the cows make their way through town, and I watched a car or two try to squeeze past.  Some children who were with a family also staying at the guesthouses put apples that had fallen from the tree into the street.  The cows took the apples, and so did a goat, as he made his way down the hill following a horse and being followed by the shepherd.

Amazing.

Children and Cows

Investigating the Apple

Miklosvar's Rush Hour

Farm Animals in Town

Real Rush Hour

Traffic Jam

We made our way into the dining room and enjoyed a three course meal.  The tables were set up so that all the guests sat together.  We got to know a few of the other guests and then we took our leave.

We had been in Miklosvar only a few hours, and already, we were amazed.