Didinsky Tunnel, Railway tunnel in Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia
Didinsky Tunnel is a railway passage that runs 1,123 meters (3,688 feet) through the Ural Mountains and features distinctive portals decorated with castle-like walls and turrets. An underground drainage system with wells keeps water from accumulating inside the passage.
Construction began in 1914 using local workers and prisoners from World War I, with the first train passing through in 1918. The project transformed rail connections across this part of the Ural region.
The tunnel served as a vital military route during the Russian Civil War and remains connected to the region's identity. Visitors come to experience this link between the present landscape and the area's past.
Winter visits reveal thick ice formations coating the ceiling and floor as groundwater freezes, creating a striking visual experience. This makes the colder months the ideal time to explore the site.
The tunnel features an elaborate underground drainage system with wells and a 500-meter (1,640 feet) drainage tunnel running beneath it to manage water flow. This engineering solution remains one of the most complex parts of the structure.
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