Crystal Cave of the Farcu Mine

About Crystal Cave of the Farcu Mine

The Crystal Cave of the Farcu Mine lies above the commune of Roșia, in the Pădurea Craiului Mountains. It has no natural entrance: it was discovered during bauxite mining, when the working face of a gallery in the Farcu mine broke into a sealed, geode-like cavity. The lack of any connection to the outside created ideal conditions for calcite crystals, in very varied shapes, which now cover its walls.

The cave then stayed closed for years, but thieves still got in and took some of the crystals. In 2012 the Bihor Centre for Protected Areas and Sustainable Development and Roșia town hall fitted it out for visitors, and the two still run it today. The underground cavity is about 250 m long and has been protected since 2000 as a speleological reserve.

Information verified on 31 October 2026.

Good to know before you go

Getting there

By car: from the centre of Roșia follow the signs for the Crystal Cave of the Farcu Mine, ~3.5 km on a road suitable for any car. From Beiuș (DN 76 / E79) take the DJ 764 through Delani, Petreasa, Remetea and Căbești to Roșia: ~22 km to the cave, about 30 minutes. From Oradea it is ~67 km (~1h30). From Cluj-Napoca leave the E60 at Borod and take the DJ 764 through Bratca and Damiș to Roșia: ~130 km, ~2h30.

Public transport: trains and buses run between Oradea and Beiuș; from there to the cave you need, in practice, a car or a taxi.

Where to park

Leave the car in the car park at the end of the road, then walk down about 50 m, following the arrows, to the ticket desk and the gallery entrance. Park only in the marked spaces.

Fees & discounts

Adults 40 lei, children aged 5 to 18 30 lei. Members of the Romanian Speleological Federation with a card valid for the current year go in free. You can pay in cash or by card. Organised groups (agencies, schools, universities, camps) book the visit and ask for a quote by email, at rezervari.pesteri@gmail.com, or by text message, Monday to Friday, 09:00–13:00.

Rules

Visits are only with a guide, in groups of 2 to 25 people. No photography with flash or a phone torch. Do not touch the crystals or the walls, do not move stones on the path, and follow the guide's instructions; the bats along the route must not be disturbed. Pets are not allowed inside the cave and can only wait at the entrance. Barbecues, picnics and camping are forbidden in the car park and around the cave. Inside it is 9–12 °C: bring a jacket and suitable shoes.

Facilities

Ticket desk · car park · toilets · picnic area · restaurant and accommodation in the area · souvenir shop · card payment accepted · nearby: the "Discover the Roșia Valley" themed trail and the Cheile Cuților via ferrata