Some 250 million years ago, a part of Ukraine was under a shallow ocean.
This brine was used to produce salt since the 16th century.
The brine was cooked in pans with wood fires, to evaporate the water.
This process was extremely energy hungry, leading to large scale deforestation in the regions south of Soledar.
Another large excavated chamber is now a soccer arena.
One part of the cave has been converted into a sanitarium.
The cool and dry air containing small amounts of salt dust is believed to have therapeutic effect.
The site is promoted to cure many respiratory diseases, allergies, and skin diseases.
