Ocna Sibiului, in Sibiu County, is famous for the 15 salt lakes in the surrounding area.
In today's programme we will be visiting the spa town of Ocna Sibiului to find more about the treatments provided here and travel to an old fortified church, whose mural paintings date back to the 16th century.
Mariana Nicoleta Varodi is a physician specialising in physical therapy who works at the Ocna Sibiului spa complex, 17 km away from Sibiu. There are three lakes here, Horia, Closca and Crisan, known locally and internationally since 1846. They are top locations in Europe, in addition to Sovata and Ocnele Mari, in terms of heliothermal waters, lakes heated by the sun at up to 22 or 24 degrees Celsius at the surface, and to 40 to 45 degrees at depths of over two meters, according to Dr. Varodi:
"This is where you find the most concentrated sodium chloride waters, and mud with strong mineral content, as well as a quiet climate, protected by the forest and hills all around. We have natural factors here conducive to recovering body and psyche. The complex has a treatment facility where patients come from all over the world: Germany, Italy, Spain, and even Egypt. All year round, patients can get the benefits of treatment and recovery for a wide array of conditions of the locomotion apparatus, such as arthritis, fractures and sprained joints. We are also treating peripheral neurological conditions, such as nerve paralysis, skin conditions like psoriasis and allergies, as well as respiratory conditions, such as bronchitis and asthma, but also gynaecological conditions. Concentrated salt waters are used in kinetotherapy procedures, waters that get heated up to 32 or 34 degrees Celsius in the indoor pool. We also use special mud rich in vitamins and biostimulants. We use the water in Horia spring in the form of aerosols. All these are associated with electrotherapy, massage, dry sauna, wet sauna and Jacuzzi, for best results. Our patients come back every year, and say the waters and the medicinal mud in Ocna Sibiului are truly miraculous."
Treatment is available all year round, but the summer is best if you want to take advantage of the sun, the lake and cold mud applications. Most tourists prefer that time of the year, according to Dr. Varodi, who told us about the impression left on the guests by the facilities:
"We always ask them about their impressions when they leave, and they say they are very pleased, no matter what they have available in their own countries. They come back to Ocna Sibiului precisely because they have a great time here, and because they know that the waters and mud here are unique, with beneficial effects. In the summer, considering the high demand, you should book in advance. I do believe that Ocna Sibiului is the ideal place, where benefits meet entertainment, no matter what age you are or what time of the year you arrive."
In Ocna Sibiului, one place that you should not miss is the fortified church. Csiki-Makszem Lorand, the parish priest, told us about the rich history of the place:
"The Reformed church in Ocna Sibiului is a fortified church, with three naves, in the Roman style. It began being built in 1240, but the construction was interrupted by the Tatar invasion in Transylvania, which is why it was finished as late as 1280. The city wall was built later, in the early 1300, to defend the church from the second wave of Tatar invaders. The oldest and most precious element of the church is the bas-relief above the south entrance, dating back to the early 1200s. A few frescoes were uncovered in 1910. The most important is the fresco above the central nave made by a painter from Sibiu called Vincentius in 1522, portraying the last days in the life of Jesus. It was initially a Roman Catholic church, and became a Reformation church in 1596, when the Hungarian community converted. For hundreds of years, the church was used by Evangelical Saxons."
The south wing of the church houses a small museum, as Father Lorand told us:
"The oldest exhibit here is the archbishop's chair built in 1515. We also have chalices, platters and fonts used from the 17th to the 18th centuries, but also clay pots made by salt mine workers between the 18th and 20th centuries. You can visit the church at any time. We have guided tours in several languages. We also have fliers telling you about the church in Hungarian, English and German. The church is visited annually by people from all corners of Europe, Germany, Slovenia, Hungary, England and France. In my opinion, if you visit Sibiu, Ocna Sibiului is a must, not just for the treatment, but also for the history, which comes alive between these walls. Which is why we welcome you here with open heart."
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