Erlebnisbergwerk Merkers, Adventure mine and salt museum in Wartburgkreis, Germany.
This former potash mine in Thuringia now operates as a visitor attraction where guests explore underground galleries. The tunnels cover around 4600 kilometers in total length, with the lowest sections located 860 meters below the surface.
American soldiers found looted property from across Europe here in 1945, including more than 100 tons of gold and many paintings from German museums. The Nazis had stored the material deep in the tunnels to protect it from air raids.
Theater performances and concerts take place in the large underground chambers, where wooden platforms provide seating for the audience. The natural acoustics of the space give every sound a character that differs noticeably from halls above ground.
The descent takes place in a hoisting cage that brings visitors around 500 meters underground in less than a minute. The temperature remains steady at 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit) year-round, so bringing warm clothing is helpful for walking through the cooler tunnels.
A salt crystal grotto discovered in 1980 displays crystals with edges exceeding one meter in length. The formations continue to grow as mineral-rich water slowly seeps through the rock layers and deposits new salt.
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