Spa Highlights
First mentioned in a 1597 document but recorded as a resort in 1850, Sovata is located at 1,600 ft. above the sea level, in the stunning forested region of Transylvania, Sovata features the heliothermal Ursu (Bear) lake – unique in Europe. The mineral waters here are highly prescribed in gynecological and sterility afflictions.
The nearby salt mine from Praid offers a suitable environment for the treatment of afflictions of the respiratory system, such as asthma.
Fast Facts
Location:Transylvania - Central Romania
(Mures County) - map
Nearby large town: Targu Mures (35 miles west)
Climate: Temperate-continental
Annual average temperature: 45 F
Elevation: 1,520 – 1,696 ft.
Natural resources: Mineral waters, Sapropelic mud
Therapeutic prescriptions
Gynecological afflictions (ovarian insufficiency, secondary sterility)
Arthritis and rheumatoid disorders
Posttraumatic afflictions
Peripheral nerve diseases
Endocrine system problems (hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism)
Cardiovascular afflictions
Spa facilities
Aqua gym
Fitness and rehabilitation centre
Indoor thermal swimming pool
Natural thermal lakes
Sauna
Treatments
Electrotherapy
Hydrotherapy
Massage
Mud applications & mud packing
Warm baths
Nearby attractions
Medieval town of Sighisoara (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Where: 35 miles southwest of Sovata
Access: car, bus (from Targu Mures)
RomaniaTourism.com/Sighisoara.html
Transylvania is also home to the exquisite medieval town of Sighisoara, a perfectly intact 15th century gem with nine towers, narrow passageways and cobbled streets, burgher houses and ornate churches. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sighisoara is also the birthplace of Vlad Dracula, nicknamed Vlad the Impaler (Vlad Tepes), ruler of Walachia from 1456 to 1462. It was Vlad who inspired Bram Stoker's fictional creation, Count Dracula. His house is just one of many attractions here. Others include: the Church on the Hill, with its 500-year-old frescoes; the Church of the Dominican Monastery, known for its Transylvanian Renaissance carved altarpiece, baroque painted pulpit, Oriental carpets and 17th century organ; and the Venetian House, built in the 13th century. In the nearby countryside, another UNESCO World Heritage town, 13th century Biertan, stands high on a hill as one of the largest and most impressive medieval strongholds in Transylvania.
The Fortified Church at Saschiz (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Where: 42 miles south of Sovata
Access: car
Saschiz is renowned not only as home to one of Transylvania's finest fortified churches but also as a carpentry and wood-painting center. It was here that Saschiz blue pottery was born in 1702.
The Evangelical Church of Saschiz was built between 1493 and 1496 by Saxon colonists. The monument is very impressive due to its sheer size and the way the fortifying elements have been adapted to the shape of a church building. From the outside, the church appears to be a bulwark, but its defensive role is surpassed by the beauty of its gothic elements: huge arches, massive buttresses and decorative stone and brick aspects. Due to the significant distance between the center of the village and the hill on which a Saxon fortress was built in 1496, the fortified Evangelical church became the main refuge for the inhabitants of Saschiz during invading raids.
The Fortified Church at Biertan
Where: 60 miles southwest of Sovata
Access: car
In the nearby countryside, 13th century Biertan, a UNESCO World Heritage town, stands high on a hill, enclosed by walls more than 35 feet high. The most famous of the fortified churches, Biertan was the seat of the Lutheran bishops from 1527 to 1867.
Hasmas - Bicaz Gorges National Park & Ceahlau National Park
(Cheile Bicazului & Masivul Ceahlau)
Where: 65 miles northeast of Sovata
Access: car
How to get here: Daily bus and train service from Iasi and Piatra Neamt
The road that slices through the Bicaz Gorges (Cheile Bicazului) is among Romania's most staggering and spectacular. The gorge twists and turns steeply uphill for three miles, cutting through sheer 1,000-foot limestone cliffs on its journey through the mountains.
For hikers, kayakers and fly-fishing enthusiasts, the Hasmas - Bicaz National Park's main attraction is the Red Lake (Lacul Rosu), created in 1837 after a major natural landslide. Short and long walks provide access to the lake's spectacular scenery and many fishing spots. The Bicaz Gorges offer a unique view of the Ceahlau Massif.
Surrounded by watercourses and lakes, Ceahlau Mountain, the Olympus of Romania (it was considered to be the sacred mountain of Zalmoxis, the god of the Dacians), displays an incredible concentration of rare species and wildlife. Over 2,000 flower species, fossil limestone, the rock formations Dochia and Cusma Dorobantului, and the Duruitoarea Falls are some of the highlights of the park.
Transportation
By air
Nearest airports located in:
Targu Mures (TGM) - 35 miles away (www.targumuresairport.ro)
Sibiu(SBZ) – 90 miles away (www.sibiuairport.ro)
Cluj (CLJ) – 100 miles away (www.airportcluj.ro)
Airlines with service to the region:
Austrian Airlines - www.austrianairlines.com
Tarom - www.tarom.ro
WizAir - www.wizzair.com
By bus
Sovata Bai Bus Station (Autogara)
Daily domestic bus service from/to: Targu Mures, Praid
By car
Bucharest to Sovata via E 60 / Route 1 - E 60 / Route 13 – DN13 A:
Bucuresti – Sinaia – Brasov – Rupea – Sighisoara - Sangeorgiu de Padure– Sovata
Cluj Napoca to Sovata via E60 / Route 15 - E60 / Route 13 – DN 13A:
Cluj Napoca – Turda – Targu Mures - Sangeorgiu de Padure– Sovata
Sibiu to Sovata via DN14 – E 60 / Route 13 – DN13 A:
Sibiu – Cospa Mica – Medias – Sighisoara - Sangeorgiu de Padure– Sovata
Targu Mures to Sovata via E60 / Route 13 - DN 13A:
Targu Mures – Sangeorgiu de Padure – Sovata
By train
Nearest train station: Targu Mures
From Targu Mures Bus Station (Str. Unirii 11) there is daily bus service to Sovata.
Daily train connections from/to a number of Romanian cities, including Bucharest , Arad, Brasov, Sibiu.
For Sibiu, Cluj Napoca and Sighisoara you must change trains at Razboieni.
To check the latest train schedules for domestic routes, please visit the website of Romanian Railways: www.cfrcalatori.ro
The site has complete information about domestic train schedules and fares.
Note: For departures from/to Bucharest, please select Bucuresti Nord.
For departures from/to Targu Mures, please select Targu Mures (or Tirgu Mures).
Accommodations
Danubius Health Spa Resort Sovata ****
Address: Str. Trandafirilor 82, Sovata
Telephone: 0265 570.151
Email: sovatahotel@szovata.ro
Web: www.sovatahotel.ro
Hotel Edelweiss ***
Address: Str. Stana de Vale 9, Sovata
Telephone: 0265 577.728 or 577.748
Email: edelweiss@digicom.ro
Web: www.hoteledelweiss.ro
Hotel Tivoli ***
Address: Str. Tivoli 1, Sovata
Telephone: 0265 570 493 or 744 660.494
Email: tivoli_hotel@yahoo.com
Web: www.hotel-tivoli.ro
Tourist Info
Targu Mures Tourist Information Centre
(Centrul de Informare Turistica)
Address: Str. Enescu 2
Telephone: (365) 404.934
Email: turism@cjmures.ro
Web: www.cjmures.ro
For additional information please visit: Sovata.ro
Maps
- Regions Map - hist-reg-map.html
- Romania - Detail Map - romania-detail-map.html
- Sovata Spa - Area Map - www.romaniatourism.com/.../fgh456.html
