Baia Sprie

If you visit the Maramures Country from Romania, do not leave without visiting a remarkable tourist attraction unique in Europe because of the color which changes all times - the Blue Lake.

The Blue Lake is situated in the northern slope of the Mine Hill (Dealului Minei), on the administrative territory of Baia Sprie.

It is a protected area of national interest, with an area of 0,50 ha and is represented by a stretch of water (lake) in elliptical shape with a depth of up to 4 m. Around the lake there are several specimens of pine, which give the area a special charm.

The lake was formed after the collapse of an old mining and exploitation works from the Domnisoara vein, during the years 1919-1920. What makes this lake to be beautiful and unique, is the fact that it changes color from green into a powerful blue. This is due to the sulfur content of iron and melanterit substances coming from the old mine. The color changes also, according to the direction and the amount of light. When many people are swimming in Blue Lake, the color of the water changes again. This change of color can be observed very well with the change of the seasons.

In spring the lake is colored in light blue and dark blue, in summer, the lake is colored in dark green and sometimes he has emerald reflexes and in autumn sometimes it becomes dark green and brown.

The Blue Lake was declared a Natural Reservation in 1977 and is in the custody of the Administration of the ?Natural Park of Maramureş Mountains? in partnership with an non-governmental organizations which aims preserving the landscape for scientific and educational purposes.Less