A day trip to Salina Turda (Turda Salt Mine) is a must for any visitor to Cluj-Napoca. One of the most important salt mines in Transylvania, Salina Turda has been known since ancient times, but was put into operation for underground mining work during the Roman period.

The Salt Mine is mentioned in official documents from the middle of the 13th century, when the mine was offered to the Transylvanian Catholic Church leaders. In the Middle Ages, Turda was one of the biggest places of salt extraction in entire region.

The salt was extracted as clods which were then cut by specialist workers. The mines were lit by candles and tallow rush lights; explosives were never used for exploitation nor mechanical equipment used for cutting the salt. You can start your day from Cluj, but before going hiking you can visit the Salt Mine of Turda and Lupsa Monastery, the first orthodox monastery along Ariesului valey, built in the 14th Century. Turda Salt Mine was known in the middle ages as one of the most important salt depo sits in the entire region of Transylvania. The Salt Mine is mentioned in official documents in the middle of the 13th Century, when the mine was offered to the Transylvanian Catholic Church leaders. In the Middle Ages, Turda was one of the largest places of salt extraction in Transylvania. It ceased activity in 1932, to be used as an anti-air craft shelter during the Second World War. Starting from 1992 the mine entered the tourist circuit. With its impressive galleries, mining system, great accoustics and very healthy microclimate, Turda Salt Mine is most definately a place to visit.

The microclimate in the mine is characterised by yearly variations of temperature between 11 - 12° C; the average humidity level inside is 80% and the air pressure is between 747-752 mm Hg. The lack of pathogen bacterium and a moderate air ionisation is therefore favorable to breathing treatments. By its impressive galleries, long tunnels and mining system, great accoustics and very healthy microclimate, Turda Salt Mine is an excellent destination for every tourist.

One of the most impressive tourist attractions in Transylvania, Turda Salt Mine is located less than 1 km from Turda city center. Salt mine has been exploited since the end of the XVIII century and until 1932 when it was closed because of the primitive facilities, low efficiency and the competition of other salt mines from Transylvania. Turda Salt Mine was reopened in 1992 (for tourism and curative interest) and it is visited throughout the year and is now a real museum of history of salt mining. Chambers for salt exploitation, constructions and mining equipment used to transport salt are perfectly preserved. Turda Salt Mine is included in the list of Historical Monuments of Cluj County and it can be visited in the summer days between 9 and 17 hours and in the winter days between 9 and15 hours.

The salt mine in Turda is now a veritable history museum of salt mining.The excellent state of preservation of mining and machinery used to transport salt, together with the cautious work carried out for prepararing the mine to become a tourist attraction, have made history and legend meet harmoniously here. The increasing number of tourists arriving from distant geographical areas to visit the mine are a confirmation of interest and historical value.

Sources of salt in Turda are more than 13 million years old, have a median depth of 250 meters (reaching 1200 meters in some places) and weigh more than 38 billion tons. Exploitation of salt began in the roman period. At the beginning of the 18th century the salt mines of Turda were the most important in Transylvania. The salt was mined manually. Franz Jozef Gallery, Rudolf Mine (80m long, 50m wide, 40m tall), Teresa Mine (112m tall), the Ghizela room, and the Altar room all represent the mystery of the Turda Salt Mine.

Following the project PHARE 2005 worth 5.8 million euros, of which 63% were European funds and the balance being provided by the local council Turda and Cluj County Council, a project whose main objective was the modernization site to increase tourist attraction, Salina Turda against Internet became one of the sights of Transylvania.

Modernization have resulted in:
- Rudolph Mine: building a panoramic lift, a mini golf track, two tracks minibowling, a sports field, a 180-seat amphitheater, a carousel and was built a playground for children
- Theresa Mine opened to the public, access is possible through mine hearth circulation compartment with stairs or a lift. Underground lake has been arranged to give the tourists a romantic boat ride to 112 m deep in the mountain of salt.
- Gisela-Mine (stationary room) was adapted and transformed to serve exclusively the work of health treatment.