Hello everyone π
Honestly, I've been eager to share some travel destination photos with you, it's been quite long since I last shared something. How about exploring Romania together?π A virtual tour perhaps? π
So....I've got here some lovely pictures from a Romanian destination, Lake Saint Anne, Lacul Sfanta Ana. Maybe @triplug or @gabrielatravels have already covered this lake and wrote about it, but aren't you curious to see how wonderful the view is, in its sunny charm in March?
Get ready to be amazed! or should I say Prepare to be wowed!? Either way, it's just breathtaking!
About the Lake
Lake SfΓ’nta Ana, is the only crater lake in Romania located in the volcanic crater of the Ciomad volcano of the Eastern Carpathians, in Harghita County. Apparently, I found online saying that it is the only volcanic lake in Eastern Europe.
Some Geographical Facts about it:
The steep walls of Ciomatul Mareβs volcanic cone surround it, with a few higher peaks: Ciomatul Mare (1301 m), Ciomatul Mic (1238 m), Tata hill (1174 m) or Pietros peak (1125 m). Unique in Europe, the lake is at 946 m altitude, with a diameter of 1737 m and a maximum depth of 7 m. From the edge of the crater, 13 temporary brooks, which form during heavy rains, bring water and gravel into the lake.
The lake is fed by rainwater and snow melt. The process of sedimentation began on the northern and western edges, an increasingly thick layer of sludge covering the bottom of the lake. When the weather is fine, especially without wind, you can see bubbles of gas rising from the bottom of the lake, which are actually manifestations of post-volcanic activity. In the north and northeast of the lake, one can see a layer of floating peat about one meter thick.
(source here)
It doesnβt have any underground springs, and as I mentioned before, the water comes only from snow melting and rain. A few decades ago the mineral content of the lake was lower than distilled water, but now with all the pollution....you can tell is not as pure as it was anymore. π
The scenery is just magnificent! I think it's just the place if you're around for walking, relaxing and exploring nature.
At the moment, swimming is not allowed but it was in the past. I saw some other photos of this lake and it has something similar with the lakes I've seen in Canada, more precisely with Cultus Lake, in BC.
I'm not entirely sure what sparked the connection between these two in my mind and how my neurons work, but somehow they seem to be similar. for a reason or another. Anyways, my point is that the lake looks spectacular and the water color was amazing. Maybe it's the pier though....π€
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Watch for the BEARS, especially in the season!
These large zones of Harghita, Covasna and Brasov Counties are the most populated with bear specimens.
There are a lot of warning signs everywhere, in the area.
We were here twice. In 2021 it was early summer and we actually took a boat and had a a nice time on the lake, until the rain came.
Here at the lake, most families can enjoy boating together because the boats fit easily 3-4 people, and there are kid-sized life jackets for safety. There are not many boats, so it wont be too crowded. Also the rent price isnt to high for a family and a boat experience.
All the photos are taken last year, in March. Now I'm getting nostalgic because last year I was here haha π. It was a nice 5 days vacation with our friends, no kids this time. :D
On season, here's a mini bar and you can have a coffee, soda, snacks or a Kurtos Kollacz. π
There are wooden tables all around the eating area, the picnic ones type. Now I'm just realizing a picnic sounds quite nice, don't u think? π
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Parking Area
You can't reach the lake by the car. There's a 15-20 min walk, keep this in mind.
Maybe back in the days this was possible, driving the car all the way down to the lake, but not anymore. We've been here already two times and every single time they said NO, you can't go by car.
But they have a minibus, like a 9 seats van or so and they will take kids, pregnant women, people having a hard time to walk until there or suffering from all kind of health conditions. They leave every 20min if there are visitors.
In our first expedition here, me and @pink.wizz were lucky enough to be taken by the bus all the way back to the parking lot, from the lake. *It was a storm coming, raining sooo hard and we've had Caleb with us. So they took us in the van! We had to share a seat, all the three of us. But that was just perfect considering how the weather was outside. π¦π©
You can serve here a coffee or a snack. That's the good part. There's also this beautiful area nicely arranged where you can sit down and enjoy the view, breathe the air, letting yourself be sunkissed. π
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Right before you end up in front of the lake, after a 15 min walk and being careful not to meet a bear (praying actually), there's the lake, staying MAGNIFICENT!
Look at the view! Isn't just perfect?
I hope you're amazed by now, as I promised you'd be LOL! haha π
You know....I can get it. All things are subjective. Some make sense for all, some doesn't. This includes travel too.
I always say that visiting new places is a feeling, other than just the view. It's about how you feel in one place and if that place resonates with you and your heart. It may be a wonderful corner on the planet, but if the timing isn't right....you get where I'm heading with this. π
Anyway, Lake Ana was our best choice for that day and our little adventure. I was happy doing the walk trip to see the lake again and it was amazing to be around nature and into the WILD, the FOREST! I love forests :D no bears though....π
What I didnt mention is that next to the lake, there's a chapel. We didnt get to see it this time, but I'm sure we will next time when around.
Also, there are a few LEGENDS about this place, tipically Romanian π π€£! Crepyyyyyyyyy hahaaa
One of the legends tells us about two young people who were supposed to get married. The girl, named Ana, did not want this because her parents forced her to get married just to get her hands on the young man, who was quite rude. Ana wants to get married for love, not for interest, so on the wedding night, she ran away and threw herself into this lake, her lifeless body not being found even today. This is why the lake is named after that girl. Every year, on the patron saint of St. Ana, the lake is sanctified by the metropolis. (source)
Another legend tells us that once upon a time, two tyrants who were brothers lived in these places. One owned a fortress on the nearby Puciosul peak, the other, a fortress located on the site of the current lake. The master of the fortress on Puciosul had a wonderful carriage, won at dice, a fact that aroused the envy of his brother, who promised that the next day he would come to visit with an even bigger carriage. In order to win the remnant, the tyrant has eight of the most beautiful girls around to be harnessed to his carriage. The horse being very heavy, they could not pull it, which unleashed the master's anger, who began to whip them. One of the girls, named Ana, cursed the poor master. The girl's curse was fulfilled immediately: a terrible storm started, with lightning and thunder, earthquakes, and the fortress, together with its tyrant, was engulfed in flames. In the place of the old fortress, a blue and quiet lake was formed, called by the residents of the area Lacul Sfanta Ana. (source)
Some fairies lived in the water of the lake, spending their lives happily. However, they were disturbed by the sound of the bell from the nearby chapel. They managed to convince a lad to steal the bell for which he will be rewarded. Instead of reward, however, the lad was drowned in the water of the lake, and the fairies continued their vigorous dance, killing many more lads. Once, a Szekler lad named Gergo kissed a fairy, who lost her magical power and became Gergo's wife. After many adventures, the couple managed to recover the bell from the fairy king, who lives in the depths of the waters. At another ring of the bell the fairy king would turn into a frog, thus freeing the land. (source)
Well, I hope you like stories. If not, jump over these and go forward. We Romanians, like these mythical legends. They're fun to hear when visiting a new place. It's part of our culture and tradition. However, I never memorize them. I forgot all the legends of all places I've been. π
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Eventually, I hope you liked this virtual tour of Lake Ana in my beautiful Romania.
You can see it was a sunny day and I really enjoyed it here. I'm sure you'd enjoy it too, if you love nature and lakes. And just do nothing, spending time outside :)).
My post is already too long but I'll share some photos with you taken on the road from parking to get here. I am in LOVE with forest photography! And because of this reason, I took a few too many photos and they don't fit in here anymore! π
Take care,
missdeli π
All the photos you show look very beautiful and very enchanting, it must be very calm to be there with the seating provided and it looks unique
Yes, if you are around this area or maybe live not too far away, it's a lovely spot to be in nature and enjoy reading a book, having a walk or just gaze at the sun. Or why not, write a post on your blog hehe. I think in summer may be too hot if its sunny and I honestly dont enjoy spending time in the sun. So spring or a sunny day in autumn its perfect.
I am happy to see your comments from there I see you really enjoy the charm of beauty
Yes, ofc I am! I enjoy pretty much everything haha. I try to stay as positive I can in general and simply enjoy life the best I can :p
sending u greetings from Romania
A picture-perfect view indeed. And it's not too crowded π«°
Yes, the place looks iconic. π
It wasnt crowded but it wasnt summer season. Then the situation will be different for sure. In March there is still snow not too far away from here so unless you're around or staying on a hotel near by,people dont come to visit this time of the year.
So it makes it perfect now if you want to really enjoy your time here.
It is really an enchanting landscape, I can't believe that one day there was volcanic lava instead of water. Which leads me to be even more amazed by nature πΏ I would love to sit there and enjoy a picnic, without bears of course hahjjj.
Greetings β€
Nature is amazing in so many ways, we dont even realize it. π·π
Bears can be in this area even by the lake but I think they dont come too close if its crowded cause they would avoid noises and loud sounds. π»
First time we were here with our kid I was a bit scared anf very anxious about the bears...
A picnic here sounds amazing. Even one hour next to the lake will do! π€ππ
Seems nice to be there! I wish I can go in a peaceful like this!
It was nice for sure! A sunny day really makes a difference! Nature is always the best option in order to feel energized and peaceful.
I've visited this place for at least 5 times in my life and would always do it again with the same excitement π
I only visited two times π€ but I love it. And I would love go again. I'm sure I would enjoy it cause every time u visit a place, you discover more of it and the fact u know it a bit gives u a sort of a nice feeling . I realized I dont get bored seeing same place many times. Its actually comfort seeing a place you love.
Exactly π―
Very beautiful description of the lake. I too would like to sit at the lake shore and gaze at the view of the lake for hours, but I would not at all want a bear to spoil my enjoyment.
First time we were there didnt enjoy it the way we would because a heavy raun started out of nowhere. π
About the bears, I honestly refuse to have an encounter with them. π€ haha π
Indeed, I wrote about this place, but I would definitely visit it again if I had the chance.
It is an iconic place that has different amazing colors depending on the season.
Somehow, I dont remember your post enterely but its in my head somewhere.
I love the legends about this place though. I can't pick my favorite, can u? π
It's kind of hard to find in my hundreds of posts so far, but it's in there somewhere.
The legend of the lake (there is always a legend) is interesting, and yes, you have many amazing pictures, it's a bit hard to choose just one.
No, I meant if you have a favorite from all the legends of the lake. not pictures.
Yes, I love the beginning of the story ,, Once upon a time,,.
The legend of Lake St. Ana is a really interesting one.
What intrigues me is that there are at least three of them. π and I wonder how many more.
You know how it is, we Romanians are good at legends, hehe.
I have been there last year, the bear was on the edge of the road begging for food
You mean on your way to the lake from the parking spot? Or the way until to get to the parking?
But either way, the zone is full of bears. We saw a few bears from the hotel we were staying Balvanyos, from third floor on the balcony. It was a family with three cubs. And we saw also bears alone. They were huge.
On the road before parking, like 2-3 km before we fot there :) but some people said also saw it close to the lake. Yeah the area is full of bears, visited dumpsters also in the night at the pension where we stayed at Sovata π
I think I saw a mamma bear with her cubs much deeper in the forest, on our way to the parking lot. I mean I think I saw them from the car. I think....I'm not sure. Sometimes the forest plays tricks on us with all that landscape and infinite trees and logs and bushes everywhere. Anyways, it's just as you said. The zone is full of bears and first time when going there, we've had Caleb with us and we were a bit scared at the thoughts facing a bear on our way to the lake, by foot. But it went just fine, fortunately.
Sovata sounds nice :) I remember I saw a post of yours from there.
!ALIVE
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A very sad story about this lake. It is very cute.
Yes, but we dont know which one is to be true. Hahahaa
Ofc we know its not either of them.
Great shots and great post, it looks such a lovely place.
Thank you, appreciate it :). With such a place, taking photos is easy for newbies like me. π