An attraction that only Tuzla has! These are the only artificial salt lakes in Europe!

Summer days are coming, temperatures are rising, and there are never enough places to cool off! So where better than to head to Bosnia and Herzegovina, more precisely to Tuzla, where not one but three – listen to this – salt lakes await you!

Regardless of whether your trip, vacation or some other occasion leads you to the city in this or some of the following summer months, be sure to stop by the only artificial salt lakes in Europe!

Pannonica Salt Lakes, Photo: Dudlajzov, Depositphotos

Located in the heart of the city, the part that includes the Pannonian Basin, or rather the bottom of the former Pannonian Sea. It is this area of ​​the city of Tuzla that is still known today as a salt deposit, which was exploited for many years in an uncontrolled manner for various purposes.

As the soil subsided and a neglected wetland was created, the city of Tuzla decided to turn this very area into a real public bathing place with healing properties.

Pannonica Salt Lakes, Photo: Dudlajzov, Depositphotos

In several stages, three Pannonian lakes, known as Pannonica Salt Lakes, were created, which stretch over 75,000 square meters, have a shoreline of 1,000 meters, and a pebble beach of 22,000 square meters.

The first lake extends over 1,014 ha and is 0.5 to 1.6 meters deep, the second lake is 0.530 ha and has a depth of 1.35 to 1.6 meters, and the third lake extends over 1.7 ha with a depth of from 0.80 to 1.80 meters.

The third lake also has two slides, hydro massagers, a waterfall, and a water geyser.

Pannonica Salt Lakes Photo: Szajci, CC BY-SA 4.0

In addition to the lakes, there are also salt waterfalls, the Archaeological Park – the Neolithic settlement of Sojenica – which allows visitors to explore the Neolithic era through nine dwellings, and the Pannonica Geological Exhibition Museum, where everyone can learn about the geological past of Tuzla.

The Pannonian lakes also have sports fields, as well as various catering, cultural, and entertainment facilities.

What is very interesting is that these Pannonian lakes get their water from Lake Modrac and salt wells in the village of Tetima. This water has the same salinity as sea water and is also rich in various minerals such as calcium, sodium, sulfur, iodine, bromine, and many others.

But the Pannonian lakes are not only popular in the summer. During the winter months, the lakes freeze and turn into a skating rink where hundreds of skaters can enjoy a real winter idyll in one season!

Pannonica Salt Lakes Photo: KalyEV., CC BY-SA 4.

Since its opening, the Pannonian Lakes have been visited by more than 6 million people, and during the summer months, the daily number rises to 7,000 guests.

There are many reasons to visit Tuzla and the Pannonian Lakes, and it’s up to you to explore them all. Let’s go, shall we?