Soledar Salt Mine

The scale of the Soledar Salt Mines is vast. The mines have 125 miles of tunnel,[1] are at a depth of 288m,[2] and many of the chambers are 30 meters in height,[3] The largest resembles a hangar of about 100 meters long and 40 meters width and 40 m height, and has accommodated soccer matches and the inflation of a hot air ballon.[4]

The temperature underground is constant at 14–15 °C, 772 mm Hg air pressure and 60% humidity regardless of time of the year.[5][6] giving rise to claims of healing properties for lung conditions.[7]

Many of the chambers are exquisitely decorated with carvings in the salt rock[8] There are accommodation areas and even a church.[9]

In October 2004 the Donetsk Symphony Orchestra under direction of Austrian conductor Kurt Schmid gave a symphony concert in the main chamber, accompanied by Viennese Opera, singer Victoria Lukyanets.[10]

History

The mining of salt started in the town of Soledar in the 19th century.[11] The site was added to the UNESCO list of world culture heritage.[12]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Salt mines of Soledar at travel to Ukraine Blogspot.
  2. ↑ Solidar Salt Mines.
  3. ↑ The salt mines in Soledar
  4. ↑ Solidar Salt Mines.
  5. ↑ Solidar Salt Mines at Explore Ukraine.com.
  6. ↑ Salt mines of Soledar at travel to Ukraine Blogspot.
  7. ↑ Salt Mines of Soledar or Underground Fairytale?.
  8. ↑ Soledar Salt Mines pictures
  9. ↑ Soledar (Salt mines) at discover Ukraine.com.
  10. ↑ Solidar Salt Mines.
  11. ↑ The salt mines in Soledar
  12. ↑ Salt mines of Soledar at travel to Ukraine Blogspot.

Coordinates: 48°41′N 38°06′E / 48.683°N 38.100°E / 48.683; 38.100

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