From May to October, you can inhale healthy air here at the saline, as the graduation tower is called colloquially.
In the past, salt production in graduation towers - now a healing side effect
Until 1945, the graduation tower, at that time sporting a length of 2.2 kilometres, was an integral part of the salt production facility in Bad Kissingen. Brine was recovered from saline water trickling down brushwood walls, which was then processed into conventional salt in further production steps. Later, production was completely discontinued at this location and consequently, the building lost its commercial relevance.
However, what was discovered early on was the fact that the nebulisation of the brine within and around the graduation tower creates a special microclimate. The salty air can alleviate the affliction, especially in case of respiratory illnesses. Take a time out on one of the many seating possibilities in the graduation tower or walking up and down the footpaths, and at the same time improve your health. Many treatment facilities in Bad Kissingen even recommend that their guests visits the graduation tower regularly.
Editorial tips on the graduation tower
Similar procedures of salt production are still employed today on Sicily, in the saltworks of Marsala and Trapani. They transfer sea water to basins and the salt is deposited on the bottom through natural evaporation. The salt recovered from the bottom of the basins is then regularly piled into salt piles so it can dry and be processed.