A Trippy Trip: The Psychedelic Salt Mines of Russia 

February 17, 2021 CATALYST Team

The salt mines of Russia are as dizzying in person as they appear in photos. Although a visit is not for the faint of heart, the mines stand as yet another testament to the gentle, artistic hand of nature.

Red swirls cover the walls of this Russian salt mine. Mikhail Mishainik. Daily Mail.

Along the eastern edge of Russia’s Ural Mountains lies the city of Yekaterinburg, an industrial giant currently experiencing an explosion in population and construction. Although the city itself overflows with its buzzing nightlife scene and hectic economic sector, a nearby site also attracts curious eyes and aspiring photographers. 650 feet below Yekaterinburg lies a peculiar system of salt mines often known as the “psychedelic salt mines.”

These mines earned the name “psychedelic” for the hypnotizing pattern that covers the entirety of the caves. Any visitor would be easily mesmerized by the sight; the walls display a magnificent swirling pattern that mimics sound waves or animated gusts of wind. How the caves came to be such a fascinating art show is equally interesting, as the rich, almost electric swirls of blue, yellow, red and orange are entirely natural. They exist due to large deposits of the mineral carnallite, which is commonly used in fertilizer. The mineral showcases its vibrant range in the caves, but can also be found in a colorless state. Unlike most popular caves, the psychedelic salt mines are not narrow passages requiring extreme flexibility to squeeze through; the winding channels stretch for many miles and are truly spacious.

Cave walls underneath Yekaterinburg. Mikhail Mishainik. Daily Mail.

The caves date back 280 million years to the Permian period, and are a result of the Perm Sea having dried up. These rich salt deposits were largely forgotten for many years until around the second millennium B.C., when Russia began salt mining.

Additionally, only recently have photos of the cave even been shown to the public. Although the attractive site seems ideal for family-friendly adventures and novice photographers, the caves are closed off to the public. Only a small section of the caves are still in use, and the other parts require a special government permit to access.

However, a photographer named Mikhail Mishainik is credited with the awe-inspiring photos we now see. Along with some friends, Mishainik spent many hours exploring the caves, being sure to capture the magnificence of their artwork along the way. Mishainik stayed overnight in the pitch-black caves and chronicled his uncomfortable yet exciting experience. Due to the mineral deposits, the air inside is salty and dry, creating a constant feeling of unquenchable, perpetual thirst. Mishainik also claims that the lingering sense of instability in the caves is part of the excitement, since the caves face the threat of gas leaks and landslides.

It is uncertain whether any more than a select few will ever lay their eyes on the rainbow swirls of these caves, but one thing is sure: if such magnificence lies hidden under this one city, there are limitless other gems waiting to be uncovered by unsuspecting travelers.