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.
Slănic-Moldova, the country's first resort, between 1887 - 1916, 1930 - 1944 and among the first, between 1965 - 1989, 2000 - until now
Let's not forget that in the period 1887 - 1916, according to the press of the time, studies and accounts of great personalities of Romanian medicine, Slănic-Moldova was considered the first of all the resorts of the country, but also the only one that, thanks to its medical infrastructure, could compete with any other spa 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 a lot, the restoration started a little later, around 1924, but after 1930 and until around the Second World War, Slănicul returned to the first place among the country's resorts, as it emerges, 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 1 - 7 September 1936, with the theme "Before, during and after a balneoclimatic cure". Here is an edifying fragment from this speech: "I have the particular satisfaction of opening the training courses in balneology at Slănicul 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 improvement courses were carried out, 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 committees from the three faculties of medicine (Iași, Cluj and Bucharest, na), who responded through the professors most suitable to hold balneology courses. I wanted these courses to be more important in connection with the specialty of Slănic, that is, with diseases of the digestive tract and nutrition. We have also given the due value to diseases of the respiratory system, which benefit from the Inhaler. Bacon enjoys a great wealth of sources for most diseases of the digestive tract. It is the only resort in the world with springs for both hyperacidity and stomach hypoacidity. 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 `Sf. Spiridon', who made real sacrifices for Slănic. First-class hotels and villas offer an indispensable comfort for a good water cure. That's why we thought it would be good to hold the second cycle of training courses in balneology in Slănic, so that doctors from all over the country could see a model resort of both therapeutic virtues and spa establishments, but also comfort" (magazine, , Romanian Medical Movement, Year X, No. 5 - 6/1937, Special issue of Hydro-Climate-Balneology", pp. 377 - 379).
Slănic-Moldova, in the top resorts in 2023 as well
After 1950, during the communist era, but also after 1990, with the ups and downs inherent in the new transitions, Slănicul Moldavia (especially after 2000 and until now) resists and comes back in force in the foreground of the tourism and health industry in Romania.
And in the year 2023, 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 those from the Republic of Moldova or Ukraine. Thus, in a top which included 11 balneoclimatic resorts in Romania, made by the "Christian Tour" Tourism Agency, with the slogan "Rest, relaxation and healing", the second place was occupied by Slănic-Moldova, after Băile Olănești and before other resorts such as Vatra Dornei, Băile Tușnad, Băile Felix, Sovata, Covasna, Băile Govora, etc. "A place of a story, Slănic-Moldova is an excellent resort for those who want to follow a treatment course and enjoy the beauty of nature", it says on the agency's website, at https://christiantour.ro/ blog/destinatii/romania/balneo-resorts-romania/. The following is mentioned about "Christian Tour Holding": "With a solid presence on the tourism market, the holding demonstrates its desire to invest in the continuous development of the industry, offering its customers innovative and quality services. Through its achievements, ``Christian Tour Holding'' consolidates its leading position and ensures an extensive presence on the tourist map of Romania".
And not long ago, around the middle of November, in the tourism news, the "Pro TV" television channel presented the report "The most popular treatment destinations in Romania: spa resorts to visit in autumn". In the category "The most popular balneo-climatic resorts in Romania" (there was also the category "Balne resorts ideal for autumn"), the Slănic-Moldova resort is in first place. "If you have never been to a balneo-climatic resort, then you must do it. In addition to finding welcome relief for a variety of medical conditions and ailments, including rheumatism, endocrine disorders, kidney, liver, respiratory, cardiac, gastrointestinal and nervous problems, as well as nutritional, metabolic and gynecological disorders, these resorts are ideal for relaxation. Our country has more than a third of Europe's mineral and thermal springs. Statistics show that Romania annually attracts a considerable number of tourists, both Romanian and foreign. Here are some of the most popular balneo-climate resorts in Romania: Slănic Moldova spa harmoniously combines traditional elements with a modern design. It is also called the ``Pearl of Moldova'', and those who have been here understand why. Located at the foot of Mount `Nemira' in Bacău, the carbonated, bicarbonated, slightly sulphurous and trace mineral springs have transformed this spa resort into a center sought after by those looking for natural treatments. The thermal springs were discovered here as early as 1801, and the highly appreciated spa facilities appeared in 1877. In addition to the thermal offers, Slănic Moldova offers nature lovers delightful mountain trails to escape the daily routine", the website states station, at https://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/travel/cele-mai-vindecatoare-destinatii-din-romania-statiunile-balneare-de-vizitat-toamna.html.
At the end of October, the Slănic-Moldova resort could also be seen on the channel "Kanal D", in a unique show on the Romanian media market, entitled "ROventura" and dedicated to Romanian tourism (at https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=JrFnaRPuHiw). The show is produced by George Mihai, presented by George Mihai and Andrea Străvoiu.
A necessary clarification and proposal for those in the field
The observations made regarding the compilation and presentation of some rankings/tops of the resorts in Romania should take into account, for a better framing and representation, several normative acts, which regulate the classification of the resorts according to their specifics and their attestation as resorts national and local interest. But even in these acts there are some ambiguities, because according to them there are three categories of resorts: spa resorts, climatic resorts and balneoclimatic resorts, and according to the provisions of annex no. 1 of GD no. 1016/2011, regarding the granting of the status of spa and balneoclimatic resort for some localities and areas that have natural healing factors, with subsequent amendments, only the second category is included, although there is also that of resorts spa and climatic. The latter are presented elsewhere, and searches take some time.
And because all resorts in Romania are primarily touristic, but also taking into account the three categories above, the classification should be as follows: spa tourist resorts of national and local interest (Băile Herculane, Techirghiol, Băile Govora etc), climatic tourist resorts of national and local interest (Breaza, Bușteni, Păltiniș, Durău, Mamaia, Neptun-Olimp, Venus, Saturn etc) and balneoclimatic tourist resorts of national and local interest (Sovata, Felix, Slănic-Moldova) , Târgu-Ocna, Olănești, Covasna, Sângeorz-Băi, Tușnad, etc.).
In Bacău County, there are currently two tourist resorts of national interest and three tourist resorts of local interest
In Appendix no. 5 to Government Decision no. 852/2008 for the approval of the rules and criteria for the attestation of tourist resorts, the List of localities certified as tourist resorts of national, respectively local interest, permanently updated by the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, with the changes that have appeared, is also included.
According to it, in Bacău county there are two tourist resorts of national interest, respectively Slănic-Moldova and Târgu-Ocna, and three resorts of local interest: the city of Dărmănești, the Moinești Băi Zone (Moinești municipality) and the tourist area of ​​Comănești.