© irene waters 2015
I’m sure we’ve all heard tales of the salt mines in Russia. Part of my husband’s youth was sliding on a hessian sack into the salt mines in Austria. The Gradation houses were a way of getting salt that I had never heard of until a visit to Bad Dürkheim, a city in the Rhein area of Germany.These gradation houses were used to produce table salt out of natural brine, in this case from the Maxquelle Spring. This is the only one of 5 gradation houses still in existence in this part of Germany.
© irene waters 2015
The water was pumped by a myriad of pipes to the top of the house(16 metres) and trickled down over bundles of blackthorn brushwood (200 cubic metres larchwood and 1000 cubic metres spruce and firwood). The water was collected at the bottom and pumped up again. This procedure was repeated several times until there was a high salt content (you can see the white presence of salt in the photo). The remaining water was then collected and heated, evaporating off the water until only salt remained in the pan.
© irene waters 2015
Looking along the roof, a span of 330 metres. This building was build in 1847 towards the end of the period where salt was obtained in this manner. It closed down for a short time in 1867 until someone realised the health benefits of breathing in of the large amounts of minerals in the form of microscopically fine drops, like inhaling an aerosol.The saltern was reopened for these benefits.
© irene waters 2015
Walking along the walkways or sitting on the seats set on it for the purpose one can gain these health benefits and drink in the surrounding countryside at the same time.
© irene waters 2015
A health industry has blossomed in the town as a result. I peered in through the windows at the spa pools but I didn’t partake. The saltern was a trace of the past that I previously had known nothing about.
In response to Paula’s prompt
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Just yesterday I was Googling a salt cave in my town and here you are with a super interesting salt spa from Bad Durkheim. Your photos give me a great perception of the size of the place. Excellent captures! Thank you again, Irene.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another co-incidence. I’d love to visit a salt cave, whether I’d have the courage to slide in is another matter.
LikeLike
Pingback: Thursday’s Special: Traces of the Past 03 | Lost in Translation
What a laborious procedure. Interesting photos
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Pauline. A fascinating place.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fascinating, Irene, I had no idea how salt was made – other than native American putting salt water out on skins to dry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t either Noelle until we went here. Fascinating. Great minds who work out how to do it.
LikeLike
Interesting buildings, Irene. It looks as if the upper part is made from straw bales. I didn’t realise these were used back then!
LikeLike
They weren’t walls but rather a bundle of sticks that went from one side to the other and they ran the water through them. Somehow it concentrated the salt. I’ve never seen anything like it anywhere before.
LikeLike
Fantastic! Back in the ’80s Rich used to live near Bad Rothenfelde, which has a similar structure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting. The word Bad must mean spa or spring or maybe even salt. I’d never seen anything like it.
LikeLike
‘Bad’ has all sorts of watery connections, Irene, not least of which it means bath! But in this context, I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with spa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for that info. I hadn’t thought until your comment of the meaning of the name. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The benefits of having lived in Germany for a time, Irene.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A saltern! Your blog exposes me to so much of the world about which i know nothing – thanks for all the enlightenment. I really thought salt came from the grocery in a blue box. Hee hee hee
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha. I probably used to think it came from the dead sea but I hear tonight that the dead sea is dying
LikeLike
How fascinating. I didn’t know about this process or health spa benefit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t either til going there. There must be so many things in the world that we simply don’t know exist.
LikeLike