Figa

History

The archaeological site of Băile Figa is one of the most important monuments of prehistoric salt mining in Europe. The artifacts, whose age was established by the carbon-14 method, date back to around 1000 BC. A trough, of the same age, was presumably used to direct the water stream onto the salt walls for their sectioning. According to other authors, it was used to obtain salt by the briquetting process.

Geography

Figa is situated in a valley surrounded by the hills of Beclean. It is noted for its salt water and mud with properties similar to that of Techirghiol. It features a spa consisting of an outdoor saltwater pool, an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi, massage, fitness and sports grounds. The microrelief of the old salt-mining areas, with numerous excavations or pits, occupied today by salty sludges, springs and ponds and halophytic vegetation, present in the Figa valley, witness the ancient exploitation of salt in excavations with diameters ranging from 4–15 m, respectively with depths of up to 10 m.

Most-observed species

• Canadian Goldenrod

  Solidago canadensis L. · Magnoliopsida
  34
• Jerusalem Artichoke

  Helianthus tuberosus L. · Magnoliopsida
  24
• Common Toad

  Bufo bufo (Linnaeus, 1758) · Amphibia
  20
• Gray/Purple Heron

  Ardea cinerea Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  19
• Agile Frog

  Rana dalmatina Fitzinger, 1838 · Amphibia
  15
• False-acacia

  Robinia pseudoacacia L. · Magnoliopsida
  15
• Desert false indigo, False indigo-bush, Bastard indigobush

  Amorpha fruticosa L. · Magnoliopsida
  15
• Barn Swallow

  Hirundo rustica Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  14