Săcelu – Spa, springs and Roman traces

Săcelu is a spa resort documented in records since 1480. The Săcelu spa is bordered to the east by Dealul Ciocadia (579 m) and to the west by Dealul Săcelu (570 m). The hills around the spa are characterized by deciduous forests with beech, oak and linden trees, as well as pastureland.

Landscape

The named natural points include the Izvorul de Ochi spring, also called Sadoveanu, in the side channel of the Blahnița River, and the Izvorul Săcelata spring, also called Sfânta Treime, on the left slope of the Blahnița in the southeast of the Săcelu spa. Piatra Buha is designated as a natural area within the Săcelu commune. The water in Săcelu’s four pools takes on a different color depending on the season. Springs, pools and the natural area offer different starting points for planning your day.

History

Investigations of the Roman fort at Săcelu documented Roman coins, remains of baths, hewn stones, three stone statues, columns without capitals, inscriptions concerning the use of the mineral springs and a thermal facility. The Roman fort at Săcelu is regarded as a military and cultural center. La Buha is one of the archaeological sites from the Roman period known in Săcelu. The Săcelu–La Buha archaeological site is located at an abstract form. Locals call it “La Buha”.

Spa

At the Săcelu spa, the Izvorul Căciulata spring is used internally for spa treatments. Băile Săcelu has four outdoor pools with cold mineral water, as well as a pool for aeroheliotherapy. The spa treatment center at Băile Săcelu includes mineral-water tub baths, mud and paraffin packs, electrotherapy, galvanic baths, underwater and Scottish showers, aerosol treatments, massages and rooms for medical gymnastics. Treatments and pool types focus on different aspects of personal planning. During the 2026 summer season, the Săcelu spa is scheduled to operate until September 13, 2026; the pool area is scheduled to be open daily from 08:00 to 20:00.

When comparing a hotel in Săcelu, you can place travel dates, room category and cancellation policies side by side on the offer pages. The three fields help link the specific booking decision to your own travel period and preferred room type.

Getting there

Săcelu is located on county road DJ661. By car, the easiest way to reach the town is via European route E70 to Târgu Jiu, followed by the county road in the direction of Crasna and Săcelu. A tourist route listed by the county runs from Târgu Jiu via Curtișoara (Bălănești), Mușetești, Crasna (Săcelu), Novaci and Baia de Fier to Polovragi. The car journey and the tourist route belong to different levels of planning: one describes the journey there, while the other describes a sequence of several places.

Further destinations for your travel planning include Dobriţa, Tismana, Baia De Fier, Aninişu din Deal, Ţânţăreni, Țicleni, Târgu Jiu and Novaci.

For the higher-level travel overview: Gorj.