Unicum Salt Baths & Snail Hill – The Birthplace of the “Secler Gemstone”
Snail Hill (also known as Rakodó Hill) is one of the most popular nearby excursion spots for visitors staying in Corund. This unique hill, shimmering in a wide spectrum of colors, was formed by mineral deposits created by the salt springs bubbling beneath its surface.
Unicum Salt Baths
The Unicum Bath complex is fed by three mineral springs:
“Salt Spring” – naturally carbonated salty mineral water
“Main Spring” – carbonated iron-rich mineral water
“Erzsébet Spring” – carbonated iron-rich mineral water
The water in the pool is continuously refreshed through natural flow, ensuring its purity at all times. Thanks to its high carbon dioxide content, the water provides a pleasantly refreshing and invigorating bathing experience.
Snail Hill – A Geological Rarity
Snail Hill represents the largest known occurrence of aragonite in the Carpathian Basin.
Since 1980, the area has been protected as a national geological reserve.
The formation is estimated to be 30,000–40,000 years old.
Today, visitors can explore three former mining sites where surface traces of aragonite extraction are still visible.
How Aragonite Forms
Aragonite and calcite are formed through cold precipitation processes from mineral-rich, carbonated waters.
Crystals:
develop along cracks and fissures
grow until they block the water flow
then the process continues elsewhere
The coloration of the formations is influenced by:
iron oxidation
manganese oxides
and sometimes biological processes
he “Székely Gemstone”
Aragonite is often referred to as the “Székely gemstone”.
Although too fragile for carving, it has been polished into beautiful decorative objects such as:
writing sets
ashtrays
vases
fruit bowls
Two large holy water fonts in the Roman Catholic church of Corund are also made from aragonite.
Springs and Natural Dynamics
The most important spring in the area is the Unicum Spring, known for over a century.
Key characteristics:
it constantly changes its emergence point
it reaches the surface with bubbling carbon dioxide
its composition varies depending on season and conditions
Its water flow was once estimated to be ten times stronger before mining activities reduced it in the 20th century.
Mud Volcano Phenomena
Small cold mud volcanoes can also be observed in the area.
Important:
they are not volcanic in origin
they are created by natural gas rising from underground
The Legend of Snail Hill
According to legend, the hills of the Salt Region were shaped by giants.
One of them pierced the hill with his staff, and from that spot a salty spring emerged — continuing to build Snail Hill to this day.
Visitor Guidelines
To protect this unique natural site:
Smoking is strictly prohibited
Do not pick plants or collect wildlife
Do not damage or remove geological formations
Stay on marked paths only
Respect the peace of nature and other visitors
Take only memories and photos – leave only your footprints!
Recommendation
Visit Snail Hill and the Unicum Spring, where you can witness the continuous formation of aragonite — a rare and fascinating natural process still happening today.
