Solikamsk, Historical salt mining center in Perm Krai, Russia
Solikamsk is a town in the northern part of Perm Krai, situated along the Usolka River at an elevation of around 150 meters. The settlement stretches along the riverbank and includes residential neighborhoods, industrial zones, and several Orthodox churches from different centuries.
The settlement was founded in 1430 when miners from Vologda began extracting salt deposits in the region and built production facilities. Over the following centuries, the town grew into a major center of salt mining in northern Russia.
The name of this settlement combines the Russian word for salt with the Kama River, reflecting centuries of salt extraction that shaped the local economy. Visitors can walk past Orthodox churches and former merchant houses that still define the townscape today.
Bus services run from the central terminal on Metallurgov Street to surrounding towns and operate at regular intervals throughout the day. The town center is easy to explore on foot, while some older buildings stand farther from the main streets.
Below the town, an extensive network of salt chambers stretches for several kilometers and has been in use for industrial extraction since the 17th century. These underground spaces maintain a constant temperature and remain active to this day.
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