free hit counter
Romania - The Neptune Baths, Romania - June 2022 | Oblivion State Urban Exploration

Post a thread

Post a thread in one of the forums

Browse the forums

Browse threads and contribute to reports

Contact Staff

Contact the team

Romania The Neptune Baths, Romania - June 2022

The_Raw

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Dec 16, 2013
Messages
3,931
Reaction score
2,183
Points
113
Another trip with elliot5200 mixing up a bit of culture with exploring. This was quite out of the way but I'm really glad we got to see it as it's boarded up and under lock and key now as far as I'm aware. There were loads of workers carrying out structural repairs when we arrived so we didn't have high hopes of getting in, but after wandering around the town for a while (which is an amazing place by the way) we went back and found they'd all gone for lunch, leaving the front door wide open for us. Result!

The first documented records of this spa resort date back to 153 AD. Since then, the site has been under Roman, Hungarian, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian reign. The current structure of the Neptune Baths was constructed between 1883 and 1886, as part of the Casino Ensemble.. It houses 63 individual bathing or massage rooms and four communal pools. At the time of the building’s construction, it was the most modern spa in Europe.

After the fall of communism in 1989, the spa resort was abandoned and fell into decay. Despite being declared as a Class A monument in 1980, the Neptune Baths have suffered further degradation from water ingress and being exposed to the elements. Two structural walls and a roof collapsed in 2019, plus another wall in 2021. In 2022 the Neptune Baths was listed as one of the Seven Most Endangered monuments and heritage sites in Europe. The nomination was made by a Romanian NGO created in 2017 by architects and young graduates who have started a project hoping to save the historic complex. A series of temporary interventions have been carried out thanks to the group, but the building continues to degrade even further. The project relies on donations from the public while the government sadly does nothing to help. Shame to see such an amazing building in such a state but hopefully it can be saved thanks to these passionate volunteers who are making it difficult for the government to ignore.


52221524376_75cd8aa2f9_b.jpg

Such a stunning exterior. You will notice the beginnings of hoarding being put up if you look closely.

52742344571_e755fe534f_b.jpg


52222017205_365fca3699_b.jpg

The building is very narrow so it consists mostly of long corridors with small bathing rooms either side.

52220521547_9e06bdf1ab_z.jpg
52220521507_f40fd89f85_z.jpg


52222017290_447489c00e_b.jpg

One of the communal thermal pools

52221796249_7645ea9c7e_b.jpg

The roof had collapsed in this section but now has a temporary roof thanks to the volunteer group

52741763932_ed26c08a8d_b.jpg

This is the state it was in before....

52222016775_b172b73e87_b.jpg

The most outstanding feature of the Neptune Baths is this vaulted, frescoed lobby with an ornate Hungarian-made ceramic fountain as its centrepiece. On our visit the fountain had been secured with a wooden frame and covered with a tarpaulin to protect it from falling debris. Annoying for photos but good that it's being looked after for the first time in over 30 years. Surprised it's lasted this long without being vandalised. Perhaps due to the remoteness of the location.

52220521242_77e7eddec7_b.jpg

This frescoed ceiling is still in surprisingly good condition

52222016680_fc522b196b_b.jpg

The rest of the corridors are quite colourful

52221524996_303af63888_z.jpg
52222016285_184e4e86c5_z.jpg


52220520617_f0942fb46d_b.jpg


52222016345_df87280862_b.jpg


52220521727_d28c2825cf_b.jpg

Across the river we found the entrance to the old casino which has now been converted.



Elsewhere in the town we came across this stunning railway station which was constructed just before the Neptune Baths in 1878. This is still in use and NOT abandoned but I thought it was worth sharing a few pictures as it's very cool and considered to be one of the most beautiful stations in Romania.

52742723563_ab00f541ab_b.jpg


52742645635_4ded32d26f_b.jpg


52741717552_d9c93e060e_b.jpg


52742723858_2261cfee39_z.jpg
52741717602_4dfd243432_z.jpg


52741717987_f4c66a4f11_c.jpg


Thanks for looking.​
 
Last edited:

jones-y-gog

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Apr 30, 2013
Messages
1,742
Reaction score
848
Points
113
Location
Leodis
That's absolutely stunning!! Great to see something totally different.
 

Gigi

Oblivion State Member
OS Full member
Joined
Jan 31, 2013
Messages
132
Reaction score
27
Points
28
Brilliant pics mate!
 
Top