Mlaștina Hergheliei

North of the city of Mangalia is the Mlaștina Hergheliei Natural Reserve, which covers an area of ​​approximately 98 hectares. Following dredging and landscaping works, the area became known as Balta Saturnului or Lake Mangalia. It is located between the national road DN 39, located to the west, and Lavrion Street, which connects the resorts of Saturn and Venus, located to the east.

Balta Saturnului is a marine bay with thermal water and sulfur content, characterized by a diversified vegetation, which includes halophilic, hygrophilic and mesohygrophilic species. Initially a marine bay, the area was transformed into a lagoon, being separated from the sea by a sandbar 1400 meters long and 80-100 meters wide. The sulfurous springs and mesothermal water attract numerous migratory birds, such as egrets, black terns, storks, swans, gannets and red-breasted geese.

The local fauna also includes water turtles, croaking frogs and water snakes. There are over 25 wells at the bottom of the swamp, in the waters of which bubbles of methane and hydrogen sulfide appear. The water in these wells has a temperature of about 25 degrees Celsius. In the cold season, birds such as cormorants, ducks, wild geese, swans and pelicans find shelter in the reeds of the pond. The sulfurous smell of the water is very strong.

On the northeastern shore of the Saturn Pond is the MESOTERMALE PALACE-HOTEL Complex, which houses the MEDICAL SPA Treatment Center. It has four swimming pools with sulfurous mesothermal water, two of which are covered and heated. In addition, the complex offers two beaches, each with an area of ​​​​about 1900 square meters, as well as massage, fitness and physiotherapy rooms.

In the northern vicinity of the complex is the Mangalia Stud Farm, located 500 meters from the seashore and 3 kilometers from the city of Mangalia. Established in 1926, the stud farm houses over 350 thoroughbred horses, of which 40 are purebred Arabians. The Mangalia Hippodrome, which has an area of ​​19 hectares, was set up for galloping races.

Next to the Mangalia Stud Farm is the Camping Palace Venus, spread over 3 hectares of land, which provides camping sites for tents and caravans. It also offers accommodation in 18 rooms, 2 apartments and 30 bungalows.

The nature reserve was declared a protected area by Government Decision No. 2151 of November 30, 2004, published in the Official Gazette of Romania No. 38 of 12 January 2005, in the context of establishing the protection status for new natural areas. The area of ​​the reserve is 98 hectares.

This natural area is a wetland, including water holes, eutrophic marshes, peat bogs, sulfur springs, reeds and reeds, located in the Dobrogean Plateau. Here you can find numerous plant species adapted to humid conditions, and the area offers shelter, food and nesting places for various bird species. The reserve is also part of the Natura 2000 network, including the Mlaștina Hergheliei – Obanul Mare and Peștera Movile sites.

The importance of this natural area is given by the presence of numerous species of migratory birds, including the winter swan, white stork, little and white egret, black tern, woodpecker, great crested grebe, red-breasted goose, saltmarsh tern, stilt, wagtail, pond tern, little wagtail, purple heron, red duck, common pelican and gypsy moth.

Sursa: www.mangalianews.ro