by Donald Wood
Last updated: 1:00 PM ET, Mon August 24, 2015
Photo via Twitter
When most people think of Transylvania, images of Dracula immediately come to mind, but the people of Romania hope an underground salt mine turned into amusement park can have tourists thinking about something else.
In a report from Sophia Softky of AWOL.com, the original salt mine was built in 1075 and was fully operational until 1932. Since 1992, the tunnels and underground caverns have become the Salina Turda, a museum, theme park and overall tourist attraction.
At almost 400 feet below the ground, the one-of-a-kind mine system is an entertaining backdrop for the rides and attractions in Salina Turda. Not only does the theme park include classic favorites like mini golf, bowling, a Ferris wheel and a carousel, but it also boasts an incredible underground lake with boats that tourists can rent during their visits.
Getting to the park is an adventure unto itself. Visitors take an elevator built into the same vertical shafts used by the miners for almost 900 years. The slow ride down into Salina Turda allows passengers to look at the expansive array of man-made tunnels and the upgrades made by the workers who renovated the property.
The Twitter account of Roman Mandru shared images of the underground facility:
Once the guests have studied all the history of the mine, they can unwind at Salina Turda Spa. While an underground spa doesn't necessarily sound appealing, its location is perfect.
First, the entire cavern stays at around 56 degrees throughout the year and features a steady humidity percentage of 80 percent. What makes it an ideal spot for a spa is the cleanliness of the air, Thanks to the surrounding minerals, the air is free of allergens and bacteria.
Thankfully for Dracula and his minions, the underground park doesn't get any sunlight, making it an ideal vacation destination for both vampires and thrill-seekers alike.
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