Gradierwerk, Graduation tower in Bad Dürkheim, Germany
The Gradierwerk is a long wooden structure in Bad Dürkheim that stretches 333 meters and rises 18 meters high, with brine water flowing down from the top. Blackthorn brush covers the walls, spreading the salty water as it cascades toward the ground.
The structure was built in 1736 as part of the salt-making process in the region, using evaporation to concentrate brine. It became a defining feature of Bad Dürkheim and remains one of Europe's largest graduation towers.
People come here to breathe in the mineral-heavy mist that rises from the flowing brine, seeking relief through salt inhalation. This wellness practice reflects a long local tradition of harnessing the healing properties of salt.
The site is open year-round and visitors can walk freely alongside the structure while breathing the salt-laden air. Weather can be damp near the walls due to the flowing water, so dress accordingly when you visit.
As brine trickles down the blackthorn walls, its salt concentration grows from three percent to 22 percent through slow evaporation. This gradual enrichment process is what gives the tower its unique character and explains its importance to the salt industry.
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