Attractions of Bakhmut district

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.

The "Artwinery" Champagne Wine Factory is the largest enterprise in Eastern Europe for the production of sparkling wines by the classical bottling method.

The history of the plant dates back to the middle of the 18th century, when the development of gypsum deposits began in Bakhmut. In 1950, a wine cellar was created on the basis of plaster tunnels, and the construction of the factory of champagne wines with a capacity of 5 million bottles per year began. In 2005, production reached 300 million bottles.

The plant's products received 12 Grand Prix, 62 gold, 39 silver and 4 bronze medals. At the same time, 30 million bottles of wine are aged for at least three years in underground tunnels at a depth of more than 72 meters.

Excursions are conducted with visits to alabaster tunnels and tasting of 5-7 types of champagne.

Russian-Ukrainian war

Due to the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Artwinery Champagne Factory was forced to relocate. Before the war, the factory employed 500 people. Almost everyone was evacuated. They also took out all the products. Now the plant works at the production facilities of partners in Odesa.

During the siege of Bakhmut, battles took place on the territory of the champagne wine factory. All the buildings of the factory were destroyed.

The Bakhmut state museum of local lore originates from the district historical and local history museum, founded in 1924 by the doctor and naturalist Borys Valkh.

It is located in a building built in 1911 by Bakhmut industrialist Veniamin Frantsuzov.

In twelve halls there are expositions of the departments of nature, archeology, folk life, history of the 19th century, the Ukrainian revolution, 1920-1930 years, the Second World War, post-war five-year plans, literature of the native land. The most valuable exhibits: a late Paleolithic silicon ax, a collection of Bronze Age weapons, a unique collection of items from the workshops of ancient metallurgists, a Scythian statue of the 6th century BC.

The Bakhmut Museum of Local Lore was completely destroyed by Russian troops during the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The wooden two-throne Saint Nicholas Church in Bakhmut is one of the oldest churches in Donbas.

It was built in 1797 over the Bakhmutka River on the territory of the Pokrovska sloboda. It is made in the style of Slobojan architectural traditions.

Along in 1861. the stone John the Baptist church-bell tower was built.

In September 2022, during a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Russians shelled the Saint Nicholas Church with mortars. Shelling damaged the dome of the bell tower. In the wooden temple itself, the windows were blown out, the facade was cut.

In July 2023, during the temporary Russian occupation, the Saint Nicholas Church burned to the ground.