Attractions of Soledar

The Museum of the Salt Industry "Salt Mine" has been opened in Soledar for tourists to visit in the complex of salt mines produced by the "Artemsil" enterprise.

This is the largest salt mining enterprise in Central and Eastern Europe. More than a million tons of table salt are mined here every year. Many types of packaged and bulk ground salt, salt briquettes and blocks, iodized salt and bath salt are delivered from here throughout Ukraine and to 15 other countries of the world.

The first salt mine in Soledar was put into operation in 1881. As a result of more than a hundred years of underground work, a system of workings with a length of more than 200 kilometers was formed in the earth's crust. Their sizes are impressive, the height sometimes reaches 30 meters.

The excursion to the salt mine begins with a rapid descent in the elevator cage to a depth of approximately 300 meters. The labyrinth of the underground city spreads out from the main shaft. Loose salt crackles just under your feet. Salt laces cover the illuminated walls of the tunnels. Everywhere there are bas-reliefs and sculptures carved by folk craftsmen in a layer of salt. In particular, you can see a salt analogue of the famous Donetsk Mertsalov palm tree.

During the excursion, tourists are told about the origin of the salt deposits of Donbas, the history of local salt extraction, about unique mine technologies and machines, about the working conditions of local miners, about the current assortment of the company's products and many other interesting facts, you can even visit the salt church.

The main attraction is the "Camera 41-bis" salt chamber. In 2003, a Guinness record was set here - the first underground hot air balloon flight, sometimes symphony concerts are held here. At a depth of 300 meters, the "Salt Symphony" speleosanatorium operates for 110 places, where respiratory diseases are treated. There is even an underground cafe and a football field for those who rest in the underground sanatorium.

A full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022

After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Soledar became one of the hottest spots on the front. Heavy shelling of the city by the Russian army began in May. The Artemsil salt mining enterprise, whose administrative building was hit by a Russian missile in May, stopped working due to shelling. There were also hits in salt mines and material composition.