If you don’t know much about geology (or even if you do), the images featured below remind more of the works of Brâncuşi… And if you try to find a definition of what they are online, you cannot really manage without guidance. These are “trovants” – or concretions – a volume of sedimentary rock in which a mineral cement fills the porosity (i.e. the spaces between the sediment grains). As you expected they are rather rare formations, and you’ll only find them in remote locations, like the Bowling Balls Beach (Mendocino County, California); Jameson Land, East Greenland; Costesti, Romania; and a few other places… but we like to focus on Romanian territory here.

      

Galgau Almasului, Judetul Salaj

Zmeilor garden is a particularly spectacular natural phenomenon, unique in Europe, considered by specialists. Reservation contained in an old tourist guide as “Garden Zmeilor. Locals call it “Girl Catanii. Is situated in Mount Meses, massive forming part of the Western Carpathians, near the town gurgling Almas, county Salaj.Reprezinta a geological reserve consists of many huge rocks, placed in a high clutter (buildings, towers, poles, mushrooms , rocks and animal forms). Spectacular forms of these formations can be explained by sliding layers of conglomerates and sandstones. Water had a significant role in shaping these rocks.Due to landslides natural forms of these elements may change from year to year. Most impressive are two prismatic rocks suggestively named “Zmeu” and “Zmeoaica. Other stone blocks were suggestively named “Santa”, “Eve” and “Dorobantu. Formations here were born by separation of blocks or sections of the massive sandstones are Inchieturi hill (376 m) and slip clays their purple at the base, to wire back hair. Subsequently, erosion and wind and rain denudatie, formed the most bizarre columns, buttresses, bridges, mushrooms, etc..some with heights of over 10-12 m (Suraru, 1967). Overall, they form a cluster chaotic strange that in every point where we look at other images depict the other, the most strange and surprising. “Garden Zmeilor” occupies an area of five hectares, the first formations to the slope. About Garden Zmeilor there is a rock legend called “Catanii girl” who turned into stone sheepfold to curse his mother. A column of the formations look like a virgin with a cofita the shoulder. Currently, “Girl Catanii” no longer exists. It collapsed in the floods of 1973.Rock looks like a girl who was a soldier from her and seemed to have a basket on his shoulder. Is a particularly spectacular natural phenomenon and is situated in Mount Meses, massive forming part of the Western Carpathians. It is located near the town of Salaj Almas gurgling. Here can be reached by train halt until the line pa lime Dej – Jibou – Baia Mare, then another 4 km to the south.

The Living Fires of Lopătari, Buzău are among the most mysterious, and unusual, phenomena you may find in nature, on a hiking path, within your reach. That’s if you know where to look. Romania was blessed with a few such miracles, places that could become its landmark tourist attractions, yet few is known about them. Today, we’ll take a look at one of those attractions, that, at the time I left Romania, was neglected by the authorities, and was known only by locals and a few enthusiastic mountaineers. Things have changed in the past ten years, with news of a future Geo-park “Land of Buzău” emerging in the media, but the development may take years to complete.

56 km from the city of Buzău, the county seat of Buzău County in the historical region of Wallachia, you’ll find the commune Lopătari. In one of the villages of this commune, Terca, there are the Living Fires (in Romanian: Focurile Vii) – a natural phenomenon, unique in Europe, but not unique to Romania. You’ll find a similar one, considered even more spectacular by some travelers, at Andreiaşu, a commune in Vrancea County, in the historical region of Moldovia, north of Buzău; and one in Reghiu commune, Vrancea, in the village of Răiuţi – only 8.5 km north of Andreiaşu.

Although the Living Fires of Andreiaşu (image above) occupy the most extensive area (400 m²), the Living Fires of Buzău are more popular with tourists, as they are situated close to other interesting natural attractions in the county, including: the Muddy volcanoes, the amber from Colti, the Salt from Meledic, the petroleum springs, salty springs, and so on.

This is a closeup of the freely burning natural gas at Terca, Lopătari. On the fire, you can even cook a meal. Image courtesy, Wikipedia Romania.

The natural emanations of gas are lit at the surface, under the rays of the sun. The fires burn at night as well, when the scenery is at its most spectacular display. At times you can see a flame rising up to 1 m into the wind above the ground.

For travelers, the fires are a natural curiosity. For the locals however, they are a source of legends, mystical beliefs, and superstition. Many local traditions have been inspired by these “eternal flames,” some no longer practiced, others still leaving their mark on local pottery, costumes and so on.

 

 

If their story has triggered your interest, then take a trip to Terca. In the summer, make sure you have enough water with you, the weather in Romania tends to get very hot, and the area around the Living Fires was not developed for tourist purposes. To understand, this is one of the signs marking the way to the Fires:

A handmade sign marking the way to the Living Fires of Terca (probably by a villager, or mountaineer).

To reach the place, drive through the city of Buzău, on the route Mărăcineni–Sapoca-Manzalesti-Lopătari-Terca (the GPS coordinates are N 45.53578 E 26.54857). If you drive through Berca, it’s better to use a four-wheel-drive vehicle. In fact, it’s good to have a good car to drive from Lopătari to Terca anyway. Prepare for a hike as well: the car cannot take you to the Fires. You have to cross a handmade wooden bridge, that looks ancient and wobbly. Then the road takes you on uneven terrain up the hill, on a hike that, although not difficult, it could be pure torture after the rain (mud and all). Below, the terrain map of the area.

Note that accommodation in Terca or Lopătari is hard to find. Your best bet is to lodge in Buzău and take the trip to the Living Fires early in the morning. Alternatively, you could try to find a room in the village, but don’t expect comfort and luxury. For many foreigners, the life standard in the villages here is below the poverty line. If you like fancy sheets, warm water 24h, and a comfortable commode, this place is not for you. If you want to experience the simple joys of life, warm people, authentic cuisine, and life as it used to be years and years ago, it doesn’t get better than this. There are a few more “modern” villas in Lopătari as well, renting rooms – but don’t count on them. The Terca village, your destination, looks pretty much like this:

A random house in Terca, courtesy Wikipedia Romania.

by Mihaela Lica

Sources: Rounite

The only papyrus from Romania, discovered 53 (1959 I mean) years ago is written in old Greek. It is unique because it is whole. It dates from IV Century before Jesus. The place ? The Mangalia Resort , Statiunea balneo-climaterica Mangalia . It was transported in the Russian State of the UdSSR, in the same year for restauration and conservation . But in the summer of 2011 it was returned to the officials of The Archaeological Museum of Mangalia , Muzeul de Arheologie Callatis din Mangalia.

Callatis – the story of a city

Whether called Cerbatis or Acervatis, Callatis Pangalia, Mankalia or Mangalia, geographical position of this place always sat in the middle of history. He became the oldest known settlement in the country, while the scene of political, economic social and very important, which generated over time change of identity, without affecting the essence of place: a bit of brilliance Greek, a littlethe joy of glory, a bit of spiritual strength and a touch of deep Turkish Romanian wisdom associated with a sense of introspection. A unique rainbow sky Balkans, where each color is well individualized, but inseparable, in fact.

Callatis – the most beautiful

First settled here were Thracians, founding the settlement known as Acervatis or Cerbatis. Thracian settlements in the former, the Greeks landed here will build the city which would remain in history as the Callatis, famous for its material and spiritual prosperity, but also for famous scholars whom he sheltered from its walls.

The late fourth century BC Inteimeiata, by the people Heracleea Pontic, located on the Asian side of the Black Sea, the city was named in memory of Calesa river that surrounds land Heracleea metropolis. Predicting an oracle was the one who was in the building Callatis, the city that would become in a short time, one of the strongest in the area, but at the same time, and one of the richest.

Advantageous geographical position immediately convinced of the desirability of building on Greek settlement in this place: locked and access to a freshwater lake (now Lake Mangalia), fertile land, an advantageous military position, however confirm the vision oracle, who guided the Greeks to the ground. Unlike the other two cities, Tomis and Histria Milesian colony, mainly commercial and democratic, was the only colony Callatis Doriana, practicing agriculture and a leading oligarchic rather than democratic, where power was held only a few families. Even so, Callatis the saw in a very short time success. Cereals and maritime trade were two of the sources that provided the city a wellspring of wealth.

A situation could not have flourished as not to attract neighbors envy.Throughout its history, the city was placed numerous times in the face of strong sieges. But who was to submit its Pontic allies with Macedonian domination, lasted five years, from 313 until 308 BC They became free from the death of King Lysimachus conqueror, in 281 BC A long siege was not so as not to put their mark on the settlement, but again, the city was rebuilt quickly, quickly going through the steps of material wealth and cultural.

Around 262 i.e.n. Tomis Fortress began. Frightened by the idea of ​​competition, the locals tried sabotaging construction, but experienced a resounding defeat of the Byzantine war fleet, came to help tomitanilor. Just like Phoenix, the city has returned shortly, keeping the head still for a while in the cities located on the shores of Black Sea, Pontus.

Romanian period that followed brought more prosperity to the city, now occupying the second position, after Tomis. Under the reign of Emperor Diocletian (284-305 AD) Constantine the Great (306-337 AD), then under Anastasius (491-518 AD) and Justinian (527-565 AD) , the city flourishes. I built new buildings, is created first bishop and resume trade. The two cities have full advantage of favorable business conditions from the Roman Empire created.

Cultural life in the city

Many residents of the city account free of material concerns were dedicated to the cause of spiritual ministry. At that time, the famous ancient geographer, Demetrios of Callatis developed a documented geographical work on Asia and Europe, contained in 20 books. This space inspired and playwright Istros of Callatis in writing a beautiful book about the tragedy. Another scholar originally from Callatis is Satyr, who lived in Egypt, where he wrote a book that was preserved in a fragment, “Life of Euripides.” History Laertiu Diogenes speaks in his writings about Heraclid philosopher (170-146 BC), a native of Callatis, who lived in Egypt at the court of King Ptolemy, during which he wrote six books about succession in time of philosophers about lembeutic reasoning.

The first coins minted here dates from around 300 BC, were made of silver and were represented on one side the head of Heracles, and the other, symbols of the city: quiver, bow, stand on end and ears of wheat. Later came bronze coins, which reproduce on the obverse images of the gods Dionysus, Apollo, Athena, Hermes, Demeter, and the reverse short city name, or Kala Kalla.

Mankalia

Avar invasion towards the end of the fifth century e.n. would finally put an end to one of the most beautiful and prosperous cities of Pontus Euxin. Powerful fortress settlement has become a simple port, which has kept for long look left.Mention of a map of Pisa, which dates from the twelfth century, as the settlement revive Pancalia Pangalia or equivalent in Byzantine Greek for “Callatis’ Greek classic, translated as” the beautiful “. Two centuries later, a French traveler, Walerand of Wawrin, mentions a port that you called Pangu built on the former cities Callatis. Commercial function of the port began to fade and the first mention of the settlement as the Mankalia is made in 1593 by Paolo Giorgi. Another seventeenth-century explorer, this time Turkish Evlia Celebi, speaks Mankalia as one of the largest ports in Dobrogea.

Since then, the settlement went through several transformations, but not always the most happily. In the last century, the city was preferred by Romanian artists, who went bohemian life here in little houses and picturesque, which resonate in a space of tranquility, away from the hectic world. Manuela Cernat describes in the preface of the book “Mangalia in the pages of time” by Aurelia and Stefan Lapusan a small painting of the city after the Second World War:
“Paradoxically, in full Sovietization away from the capital, looking at the border, Mangalia still breathing and living in pre-war rate. In too brief respite to tightening the bolt, here regroup quickly banished artistic cream of Balchik. Tudoran Radu Brothers and Geo Bogza pictoritele Marcela and Florica Cordescu, Cezar Petrescu and Joseph Igirosianu novelists, actors and Radu Grigore Vasiliu Birlic Beligan, directors and Marietta Sadova Sica Alexandrescu, vocalist Stroici Manole, epigramistul Pastorel Teodoreanu and a lot of beautiful women and very elegant gave shine watch the cliff walk. ”

Callatis – card

It is the oldest city in Romania;
The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, proof of being a Neolithic remains of material culture from Gumelnita;
The city is the only Doric colony on the shore of Pontus Euxin;
This papyrus was found only in Romania. Tomb of the papyrus was discovered in 1959, is dated in the fourth century BC Inside the tomb is built of cut stone blocks, being 1.5 meters below ground level. It is assumed that the buried here was a man of mind, and he was found near a papyrus written in Greek, first discovered in our country. There is controversy regarding this document, immediately after discovery disappeared. Due to very wet climate, the practice was abandoned very quickly scrolls the scribes of the time, they are replaced quickly scrolls much more resistant to moisture. Archaeologists feared what might happen to the papyrus, once uncovered, so they invited a Russian specialist to deal with taking it and decipher it, but once the document has made contact with light, shattered, and shattering the hopes of researchers decipher the message. But the scientist took the papyrus with him in Russia in an attempt to rehabilitate declared in the laboratory and to try decoding it, but then, no longer knows anything about this document. Some researchers have tried to learn something about the fate of papyrus and government through diplomatic channels, but their attempts were left unanswered. A Roman archaeologist has identified a history book printed in Russia a fragment of papyrus from Mangalia, which stated that it was saved, but has not been fully deciphered;
Both the inside walls of the fortress Callatis, and Roman ruins of the building can be seen near the coast town still Mangalia;
Former port city is currently covered by the sea. It was located in the south of the current port.
Some citizens were mercenaries royal Callatis in Egypt;
Under the arches of the basilica rang Callatis apparently Te Deum Laudamus first, composed of Nicetas Remesiana;
The city signed a peace treaty with Rome, currently considered the oldest known document in Latin in Eastern Europe;
In the first century AD, the city helped with money Callatis Rome;
The city is the first spa in our country, mesothermal sulfur baths are known since the time Burebista;
Under the Emperor Gordian (238-244), the first association worked Callatis hunters mentioned here, as is evident from an inscription on a marble slab, located at the Museum of Archeology in Constanta. Here were inscribed in Latin and Greek names of 43 members of the association amateur hunters, dated from III century BC;
Callatis originate from the famous scholars who lived in Hellenistic Egypt: Demetrios, Heracleides, Satyr, Istria, Thales;
Leontios Christian Byzantine scholar (485-542) was born in Zaldapa near Callatis.
The old Greek gymnasium in new profile sports, worked in the first century AD Callatis
Between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, was part of pashalic Mangalia Rumelia, the seat of judicial districts, called “accommodate”
Sultan Mosque is the oldest Esmahan cult Muslim Romania;
Occur in 1883, Mangalia, Triangle, Journal of masonry in Romania, with the help of Constantine M. Moroiu, Grand Master of the Grand National Lodge of Romania;
Mangalia is declared in 1899 the first sea and spa resort in Romania, after laboratory tests settled as its mineral waters are sulphurous, alkaline, slightly chlorosodic and iodine.

Mangalia their walls resting on one of the richest cultural heritage, which has a value and whose immense implications, realized, would bring added value to this settlement seems always beaten, both by the wind, waves and sun. The city rests on an archaeological treasure, but few know how to live the wonder of this place blessed by history, which was one of the first centers of civilization.

He remained famous speech recorded in history held by illustrious learned Nicolae Iorga, in honor of Mangalia city. Phrase, consisting of 120 words was read in a radio broadcast “in the dark tips”:
“It was later still, the view that shore of Dobrogea, which we know so little and not include only the illusion of silver in the picturesque Balchik and a poor Tatar-Turkish race that takes the wind today, I came to appreciate, of course not trivial and lust naval health resorts, ugly icon in our times lack of modesty, but in loneliness from Mangalia, beauty series that finished in frost easy charm of the backlight, which you looks a world away, chased by the boats lights capture fishermen who catch torches and spells the glimpse from the depths and especially the thing to remember is calling this morning, in fact even more cool day, the Luceafarul that rises vioriu sky suddenly in bed, and is an awakening to new life, you have to start the deep water for residents, as well as for those who, today, on the ruins of Hellenistic cities, leading only remnant of a civilization sad and vulgar that us until today I knew it live. ”

Picture of ‘the high gallery’ in Peştera Coliboaia, Romania, the place where most of the cave paintings were found.

Photo: Andrei Posmosanu © Romanian Federation of Speleology – FRS

Andrei Posmosanu is an excellent photographer, with a special interest in landscape and cave photography. His work is technically superb, and has outstanding artistic merit.

This photograph from the site: http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Udland/2010/06/14/093359.htm

Central Europe’s oldest cave paintings discovered at Coliboaia Cave

http://www.iasiinvest.ro/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=35840&Itemid=63

IASI INVEST – cotidian online de business

The oldest cave paintings in Central Europe, estimated at between 23 000 and 35 000 BP, have been discovered by a team of Romanian speleologists at the Coliboaia Cave, Campani, Bihor County, western Romania, and certified by French paleontologists. The chairman of the Federation of Romanian Speleologists says it is the first time that Paleolithic paintings so old have been certified in Central Europe. Judging by their style, they could be rated as Gravettian or Aurignacian.

Those who discovered the paintings nearly three months ago are speleologists Tudor Rus (the Spedova Stei Cave Exploration Club), Mihai Besesek, Valentin Alexandru Radu and Roxana Laura Toiciu (the Seowest of Arad Cave Exploration Association), Marius Kenesz (Speo Club of Zarand), who explored the Dealul Secaturii – Coliboaia Cave in the Sighistel Valley, near the village of Campani.

After the discovery, protection was secured for the paintings while French specialists, who arrived in Romania on 16th May 2010, conducted further research for certification.

The Coliboaia Cave is crossed by an underground river that branches off in several sumps, which makes cave exploration even more difficult. The paintings were conserved in a high gallery. Other paintings were probably destroyed by water.

The black cave paintings depict animals, including a bison, a horse and possibly a feline; one or two bear heads and two rhinoceros. Some engravings were also discovered at the same place, where the floor is scattered with bear bones.

During their stay in the cave, the bears are said to have scratched the cave walls.

A French team composed of spelaeologists Marcel Meyssonnier and Valerie Plichon; Michel Philippe, a paleontologist specialising in cave bears; historian Francoise Prudhomme and cave art specialists Jean Clottes and Bernard Gely have attested to the authenticity of the paintings. Clottes is also an honorary General Heritage Conservationist and cave art expert for ICOMOS and UNESCO.

The cave has been placed under the conservation care of the Federation of Romanian Speleologists and the Apuseni Natural Park Administration, under the archeological authority of the Cris Lands Museum of Oradea and the Bihor County Council.

Another version of the high gallery photo at the top of this page.

Photo: Andrei Posmosanu © Romanian Federation of Speleology – FRS

Source: http://www.ebihoreanul.ro/stiri/ultima-or-31-1-19/cele-mai-vechi-picturi-paleolitice-din-europa-centrala-descoperite-intr-o-pestera-din-bihor-88112.html

Rhinoceros Head.

Photo: Andrei Posmosanu © Romanian Federation of Speleology – FRS

Source: http://www.ebihoreanul.ro/stiri/ultima-or-31-1-19/cele-mai-vechi-picturi-paleolitice-din-europa-centrala-descoperite-intr-o-pestera-din-bihor-88112.html

Bison. This artwork appears to make use of the relief of the cave wall to enhance the shape and impact of the image.

Photo: http://webtv.realitatea.net/actual/picturi-rupestre-vechi-de-35-000-de-ani-descoperite-in-romania

Cave gallery in which the paintings were found. This appears to show two cavers squeezing beneath a ceiling and the water of a lake.

Photo: Andrei Posmosanu © Romanian Federation of Speleology – FRS

Source: http://www.ebihoreanul.ro/stiri/ultima-or-31-1-19/cele-mai-vechi-picturi-paleolitice-din-europa-centrala-descoperite-intr-o-pestera-din-bihor-88112.html#

Coliboaia Cave

“Coliboaia Cave is pervaded by an underground river, which forms several traps, making it exceptionally difficult to penetrate the galleries. Up until now, the cave was not even included on the list of protected caves, although the area is part of Apuseni Natural Park. There have been several expeditions there, but five cavers went deeper inside than all the others and have gone through three completely flooded areas, after which they came across a high gallery, and found the wall paintings”explained Lascu.

According to the source, the paintings are black and represent animals including a bison, a horse, possibly a cat, one or two bear heads, and two rhinoceroses. An engraving, representing the torso of a woman, was also found, probably a symbol. “On the ground were the bones of a bear. Some of the paintings were damaged by water and there was evidence of bears that have been in the cave in the form of scratches and polishing on the walls” said the cavers.

The paintings were verified by a team led by Jean Clottes, one of the most prominent specialists in cave art in the world, and the team also included Gély Bernard, a specialist in cave art, as well as speleologists Meyssonnier and Valérie Marcel Plichon, and Philippe Michel, a paleontologist specialising in cave bears, as well as Françoise Prudhomme, a specialist in general prehistory.

Following tests, experts confirmed the authenticity of paintings and engravings. “After their examination, the paintings can be classified as belonging to an ancient period of mural art, the Gravettian and Aurignacian (between 23 000 and 35 000 years BP”. It is the first time in Central Europe that parietal art so old has been discovered.

Following the discovery, by courtesy of the Romanian Federation of Speleology and the Apuseni Natural Park Administration, the cave was immediately put under protection, and given conservation status, under the authority of the archaeological museum and the administration of Crisurilor Bihor County Council, to be included in a complex multinational multi-institutional research project.

“The archaeological site is extremely valuable, comparable to Sarmisegetuza Cucuteni, for example”, said Lascu.

Text above from: http://www.ebihoreanul.ro/stiri/ultima-or-31-1-19/cele-mai-vechi-picturi-paleolitice-din-europa-centrala-descoperite-intr-o-pestera-din-bihor-88112.html#

Map of cave location

Photo: http://www.ceti.pl/~miekinia/encyklopedia/encyklopedia.php?lit=CA&limit=2&lang=1

Position of Coliboaia Cave.

The cave is at:

46° 31.894’N, 22° 35.755’E

It is roughly ten kilometres south-east of Pietroasa, (which translates as “stony”!), the closest big town.

It is limestone country, and it is a karst landscape, with sinkholes, bridges (from collapsed caves) and lots of caves in the Apuseni Mountains area, or Muntil Apuseni. There is a thriving caver community in the area, as you would expect, as well as people very interested in the conservation of bats, which love the place for obvious reasons.

Photo: Google Earth

This is a beautiful shot over the water which floods many parts of the cave.

The entry is triangular, only 2 metres tall, surrounded by a high limestone cliff, and opens to the top of a slope of scree which descends into a chamber about 15m wide and 40m long, followed by a large, straight gallery, which is crossed by a watercourse with an impenetrable sump.

Two other traps complicate the underground route. A stream runs through most of the clay terraces and finishes, depending on the amount of water in it, either at the end of the gallery, or at the southern wall of the room.

It reappears finally as an intermittent spring below the cave entrance. Water may flood the entire gallery floor. Concretions are limited to the last third of the gallery, where the walls are covered with large stalagmites. The total length of cave is 750m.

Photo: © Dinu Mititeanu

Source, and text translated from: http://alpinet.org/main/poteci/puncte_ro_t_pestera-coliboaia_id_3474.html

Coliboaia cave entrance and the steep ramp down to the first chamber.

Photo: © Moni and Cristi Davidovici

Source: http://ferestresprenatura.blogspot.com/2009/03/calatori-in-lumea-intunericului.html

The cave itself is well known as an interesting cave to explore.

Photo: © dorinpetrut

Source: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/559627262SeBrvh?start=12

However, it is not easy to get to some parts of the cave, and good equipment and knowledge of caving is required.

Photo: © Hoinarii

Source: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XlB9K5Ws_dnbt31iLUdbMg

One of the many lakes which must be crossed to gain the further parts of the cave.

Photo: © S. Kotarba

Source: http://www.sktj.pl/epimenides/jaskinie/jask11.html

Stream in Coliboaia cave.

Photo: © by tmtibimate

Source: Panoramio/Google Earth

The approach to the cave is along a very pleasant valley, the Valea Sighistelului, or Sighistel Valley. The Sighiştel River is a tributary of the Crişul Negru River in Romania.

Photo: © APLR

Source: http://www.batlife.ro/?p=284&lang=ro&album=4&gallery=19

The first of these photographs shows the entrance ramp down to the first chamber, with a shaft of sunlight illuminating the caver. This is a superbly realised shot, and achieves the difficult photographic task of including the bright sunlight, yet showing details of the cave floor and roof.

The second shows a caver standing hip high in the water of a lake in the cave system, with another caver beyond, further along the lake. Once again, a wonderful photograph. These are the work of a very accomplished photographer.

Photo: © Andrei Posmoşanu. Used by the kind permission of the photographer.

Source: www.momente.ro/php_files/albume_foto/sec_000/album_apuseni.pdf

I found these photographs in a well designed and executed PDF document with the title:

Through the Apuseni Mountains
Above and Beneath the Earth

Partners in this project were: Administratia Parcului Natural Apuseni, Asociatia “Zöld Kör” Ungaria, with the support of: Consiliul Judetean Bihor, Federatia Româna de Speologie, Asociatia Rangerilor din România, National Geographic România, Traditional Casa Experience and Apuseni Experience.

Coliboaia cave entrance portal.

Photo: © by tmtibimate

Source: Panoramio/Google Earth

Sources: dons maps