These monumental structures were built between1824 and 1833 and in 1859 by Stanislaw Staszic according to designs by Jakub Graff. The cooling towers in Ciechocinek are the largest wooden structures in Europe and serve to remove water from brine.

Three such towers, arranged in the shape of a horseshoe, were erected on 7000 oak piles driven into the ground. A spruce and pine construction filled with blackthorn branches was placed on this base. The height of each tower is 15.8m and their joint length is 1741.5m. The cooling towers are used to concentrate the brine in the production of salt. The brine is pumped to the top of the towers where it flows over the blackthorn branches into wooden containers.

During the run-off water is partially evaporated from the brine thus increasing its concentration. The concentrated solution is then taken by pipes to the salt works. The characteristic feature of this process is the forming of a natural aerosol having medical properties. The surrounding area has a specific microclimate rich in iodine and bromine and the salt particles that are also emitted and ozone that is formed, creates a natural therapeutic inhalator.

Spa in Ciechocinek (woj. Kujawsko-Pomorskie)

www.ciechocinek.pl