Lacul Albastru, Nature reserve in Baia Sprie, Romania.
Lacul Albastru is a protected water body near Baia Sprie formed in a depression surrounded by forested hillsides. The small lake sits in the lower foothills of the Gutai range and maintains a calm surface throughout the year.
The water body formed in 1920 when an old mining tunnel collapsed and filled with water. This event marked the end of one industrial period and the beginning of a natural landscape feature.
The site tells the story of mining in Maramures and shows how nature has reclaimed what was once altered by human work. For visitors, it is a place where you can see how damaged land becomes alive again.
The lake is reached via marked paths starting from behind the Catholic church in Baia Sprie, requiring a walk of roughly 35 to 45 minutes. The trails can be steep and muddy after rain, so proper footwear is advisable.
The water changes color noticeably with the seasons, shifting between blue, green, and brown tones. This transformation happens because of iron sulfate and other minerals dissolved in the lake that react differently under changing weather.
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