Sînmartin – Culture, Landscape and Cycle Paths

In the area of Sânmartin, archaeological evidence ranges from the Neolithic through the Bronze Age, the Early Hallstatt period, the pre-Roman era of the free Dacians, the Roman period and the Ostrogothic period to the era of Slavic tribes. The commune lies in the northwestern part of the Miersig Mountain Plain, which forms part of the Criș Plain, at the contact zone with the westernmost foothills descending from the Pădurea-Craiului Mountains.

Large parts of the area surrounding the commune are covered by protective oak forests that clothe the slopes of the surrounding hills. The name Sânmartin has appeared in written records since the end of the 13th century and is associated with the long-standing use of the thermal water. In 1228, a mill fed by the Peța Stream was mentioned in Sânmartin.

Culture

Near Sânmartin–Dealul Corhan, a Bronze Age settlement lies 500 metres south of the settlement boundary. Another Bronze Age settlement lies on the northern edge of Sânmartin, near the former CAP building complex on the second terrace of the Crișul Repede, on the left bank of the Peța Stream in a floodplain landscape.

At Bd. Felix 106 in Sânmartin stands the castle of the former Premonstratensian monastery complex, dated to 1784. In Băile Felix stands the wooden church from Brusturi; an inscription on the upper portal dates its construction to May 1785.

Nature

The Betfia sinkhole in the surroundings of Băile Felix is an 86-metre-deep limestone cave. It formed through successive collapses and is home to a bat colony. The Felix Forest near Băile Felix has paths for walking and hiking, as well as a jogging trail.

Activities

Băile Felix has a thermal-water complex with 10 indoor and outdoor pools, a wave pool, two children’s pools and five slides. Horseback riding is offered in the natural surroundings of Băile Felix; carriage or wagon rides can also be arranged on request.

A cycle path runs along the Centura Sânmartin, connecting Oradea with Băile Felix. A tourism infrastructure project in the commune of Sânmartin includes a 1,328-metre-long cycle path and a 1,658-metre-long promenade. The different route lengths and activity types give you several points of comparison for your own planning.

For comparing hotels in Sînmartin, you can check travel dates, room category and cancellation policies side by side. Especially when planning on a budget, these offer details remain separate and easy to compare.

More local pages: Margarethen, Pietroasa, Oradea, Chișcău, Urvind, Finiș, Şoimi, Călățea

Connections

Access to the commune of Sânmartin is via European route E79 and DN76, which connects Oradea with Deva. Secondary routes lead from Sânmartin to Haieu and Betfia, from Băile 1 Mai to Băile Felix, and from Sânmartin to Cihei and Cordău.

The commune has the three railway stops Rontău Haltă, Băile Felix Haltă de călători and Cordău Haltă de călători on single-track, non-electrified railway line 314. This line connects Sânmartin with Oradea, Holod, Beiuș and Vașcău.

For the higher-level travel overview: Bihor.