United States of America – 250, Slănic-Moldova – 225!
July 4, 2026 marks 250 years since the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence from the British Empire (1776), and July 20, 2026, Saint Elijah's Day, marks 225 years since the discovery, in 1801, of the first mineral spring in the Slănic-Moldova resort, by the serdar Mihalachi Spiridon, the storekeeper of the salt mines in Târgu-Ocna, while he was on a deer hunt...
Practically, the two events mark the birth of the American nation and the beginning of an independent state, on the one hand, as well as of the spa settlement of Slănic-Moldova, on the other hand, because starting from that date, the locality develops in stages, until it becomes one of the most famous spa resorts in Europe and beyond.
Slănic-Moldova, an arc over time in a brief summary
According to one of the most beautiful legends of the place (The Legend of Nemira), it is said that upon the death of the brave Şandru, who fell in the battles with the Tatars, the tears of his fiancée, the beautiful goddess of the forests, Nemira, turned into real pearls that rolled in the crystal clear water of the Slănic stream, whose rapid and foamy waves carried them over cliffs and gravel. And at the place where each pearl stopped, a spring of mineral water gushed to the surface, the first of those discovered since 1801…
Throughout its evolution, regardless of the transformations that have taken place, the Slănic-Moldova resort has remained one of the most popular tourist and treatment destinations in Romania, being the country's first resort, between 1887-1916, 1930-1944 and among the first, between 1965-1989, 2000-to the present.
Let's not forget that during the period 1887-1916, according to the press of the time, studies and reports of great personalities of Romanian medicine, Slănic-Moldova was considered the first of all the resorts in the country, but also the only one that, thanks to its medical infrastructure, could rival any other balneoclimatic resort in Europe.
"Indeed, Slănicul is not only an admirable spa resort famous for its alkaline waters unmatched in the country - to be honest, it is unique from this point of view - but it is also endowed by nature with a wealth of attractive qualities. The hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, compressed air and inhalation establishments, among the most modern and more than excellent, call here the innumerable clients of diseases, including those of the very modern disease called neurasthenia. For all of them, be they sufferers or mere visitors, water is not everything. They come to find the charm of such a pleasant stay, thanks to the most varied entertainment. And in the necessary hours of rest they rest in the truly comforting companionship of the centuries-old groves and the clear springs, with the incessant moaning that the trembling of the leaves stifles. That is why, compared to other spa resorts, Slănicul in Moldova offers the rare sight of being populated in large numbers during the entire summer season, which is why it has rightfully acquired the reputation and fame it enjoys, the prestige of to be the first of all the climatic and spa resorts of the country. All the successes and improvements achieved will be added to the voluminous book of Slănicului over the years, which will once again strengthen its aureole as the undisputed and unsurpassed Sovereign, the Crown of Romanian Baths" (Biblioteca Centrală Universitara Iași, newspaper "Curierul Slănicului Moldova", No 1, Year X, Sunday, June 10, 1912).
Also, in the work "Călăuza locătoren de bai i de odihnă din România" (1912), signed by the doctor Friedrich Grünfeld, one of the most famous researchers and publicists in the field of spas at the time, there is also a clear classification, but also a description of bathing and rest places in Romania, in which the Slănic-Moldova resort is also presented. Also nicknamed the "Sinaia of Moldova", this spa was considered "the most important bathing place in the country, the main climatic, air and rest location in Moldova, considered an Aix-les Bains of Romania, where all those who want to spend their vacation time usefully". And the professor and doctor G. Băltăceanu, who defended his doctoral thesis on the topic "Mineral waters from Slănic-Moldova and their action on gastric and biliary secretions", thesis awarded with the gold medal, stated in the preface of another work also signed by doctor F. Grünfeld, ("Călăuza băilor din România", 1933 edition), the following: "For the treatment of stomach ailments and digestion in general, there are salty, alkaline or mixed waters. The most famous resort is Slănicul from Moldova. With its 17 springs of deep origin, this resort presents a rare example, because along with springs that increase – there are others that decrease the secretion of the stomach. Located in a mountainous region, surrounded by centuries-old forests, Slănicul also has the advantage of an altitude climate".
After the First World War, when the resort suffered greatly, the recovery began a little later, around 1924, but after 1930 and until around the Second World War, Slănic returned to first place among the country's resorts, as is evident, among other things, from the opening speech delivered by Prof. Dr. Gheorghe Tudoranu, one of the pioneers of Romanian balneology, at the second Advanced Course in Balneology and Physiotherapy, which was held in Slănic-Moldova, between September 1-7, 1936, with the theme "Before, during and after a balneoclimatic cure". Here is an edifying fragment from this speech: "I have the great satisfaction of opening the advanced courses in balneology at Slănic-Moldovei, a resort whose therapeutic resources any country in the world would be proud of. Thanks to the same enthusiasm for the elevation of balneology, the advanced courses were held, first in Sovata, thanks to Professor Marius Sturza; and this year in this beautiful resort, with which nature was so generous. For the courses in Slănic, I addressed all the luminaries from the three faculties of medicine (Iași, Cluj and Bucharest, na), who responded through the most suitable professors to hold balneology courses. I wanted these courses to be especially related to the specialty of Slănic, that is, with diseases of the digestive tract and nutrition. I also gave due value to diseases of the respiratory system, which benefit from the Inhaler. Slănic enjoys a great wealth of springs for almost all diseases of the digestive tract. It is the only resort in the world with springs for both hyperacidity and hypoacidity of the stomach. The endless range of springs offers treatment possibilities for all ages and nervous temperaments. Slănic had the chance to create a series of inhalation and bath establishments, unmatched in the country, thanks to the Epitropia `St. Spiridon`, who made real sacrifices for Slănic. The first-class hotels and villas offer an indispensable comfort for a good water cure. That is why I thought it would be good to hold the second cycle of advanced training courses in balneology in Slănic, so that doctors from all over the country could see a model resort of therapeutic virtues and spa establishments, but also of comfort" (the magazine,,Mișcarea Medicală Română, Anul X, No. 5 – 6/1937, Special issue of Hidro-Climato-Balneologie", pp. 377 – 379).
Slănic-Moldova, in the top resorts in 2026 as well
After 1950, during the communist era, but also after 1990, with the ups and downs inherent in new transitions, Slănic-Moldova (especially after 2000 and until today) resists and returns strongly to the forefront of the tourism and health industry in Romania, through new and important investments, thanks to Slănic tourism entrepreneurs.
And in 2026, according to the rankings/tops made by a series of television stations and tourism companies, the Slănic-Moldova resort is among the favorite resorts of Romanians, including tourists from the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.
The confirmation came this year, on May 14, 2026, when, to the great joy of the people of Bacău and beyond, the Slănic-Moldova resort, so beloved by Romanian and foreign tourists, obtained Third Place in the national competition "Destination of the Year 2026", in the "Beach Resorts" Category, alongside the Călimănești-Căciulata resort (Vâlcea), in fact, an important recognition for the beauty, potential and authenticity of one of the most valuable spa and tourist resorts in Romania, the first two places being occupied by the Techirghiol (Constanța) and Borsec (Harghita) resorts. The category dedicated to spa resorts highlighted once again the destinations that capitalize on mineral waters, therapeutic lakes and wellness infrastructure, in a modern and attractive form, which reconfirms the spa potential of Romania, one of the tourist resources with the greatest tradition at European level.
Slănic-Moldova Resort, other anniversaries in 2026
* 140 years since the last visit of the great storyteller Ion Creangă to Slănic-Moldova, which took place on July 10, 1886
* 135 years since the visit of King Carol I of Romania to Slănic-Moldova, on July 29, 1891. A truly visionary king, who supported the development of spa and tourist resorts in Romania, following the model of those in the West
* 145 years since the birth of composer George Enescu, who gave his first concert in front of the public in Slănic-Moldova, on July 25, 1889, when he was not yet nine years old
* 90 years since the initiation and organization of the first "Balneology Advanced Courses", held in two stages, respectively in 1935 in Sovata (September 7-14) and then, in 1936, in Slănic-Moldova (September 1-7)
* 129 years since the appearance of the first newspaper that appeared in a resort in Romania, in Slănic-Moldova, on June 26, 1897
* 90 years since the death of the architect, decorator, restorer and publicist from Bacău, George Sterian (1860-1936), according to whose plans (together with EH Rick from Iași), the famous Casino in Slănic-Moldova was built, today in the process of renovation and restoration, thanks to the family of young entrepreneurs from Slănic, Bogdan and Alina Șova
Congratulations to all those who contributed to the prosperity of the Slănic-Moldova resort, to which we wish, on this anniversary occasion, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
