Soledar, Salt mining city in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine
Soledar is a city in eastern Ukraine whose economy developed around salt extraction and processing. The Artemsil facility operated as a major production center, refining salt for domestic use and export across Europe.
The settlement began in the 17th century when Don Cossacks established a community near salt deposits. Its name evolved several times through the 20th century, reflecting political changes until it became Soledar in 1991.
The salt mines became galleries where artists carved sculptures directly from salt crystals, turning the underground into spaces that reflected local mining traditions. Visitors could see how mining shaped both the economy and the creative life of the community.
Walking through the city allows visitors to understand its layout around the former mining areas and central district. The extensive underground workings have shaped how the city is organized and which areas remain accessible on the surface.
Beneath the city lies an enormous network of tunnels and chambers created by centuries of salt extraction. This underground landscape makes the city one of the region's most distinctive examples of how mining shaped its development.
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