8 Kolobrzeska, Bydgoszcz, Poland
The graduation tower (Polish: Tężnia Solankowa, Wieliczka) is located in the Saint Kinia Park, near the Daniłowicz Shaft, which leads to the mine underground. It is one of the four largest graduation towers in the country and the largest in Małopolska. It has 7,500 sq m. area and is surrounded by a garden. At the same time, about 100 people will be able to stay in the graduation tower. Tourists will be attracted both by the health benefits of the facility and additional attractions, such as the 22-meter high observation tower. Inhalations at the graduation tower are recommended for people suffering from recurring or chronic respiratory diseases. Patients with rhinitis, inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, laryngitis, and patients with acute respiratory infections after therapy will feel relief. It is also worth going to the graduation tower when you are healthy. Inhalations help clear the respiratory tract.
Please note that ITS-Poland works with groups only (10 participants and more).
In the 19th century, Wieliczka was a health resort at the European level. Patients enjoyed the benefits of brine baths, and the founder of the prospering Bathing Center, doctor Feliks Boczkowski, a saline doctor, could boldly dream about further development of the treatment offer. The harsh reality of the partition Poland dispelled these hopes, nevertheless the idea of the spa survived and found a worthy implementer in the person of Professor Mieczysław Skulimowski. The modern spa traditions of Wieliczka are continued by the Wieliczka Salt Mine Health Resort, and the brine graduation tower is another important step in restoring the town's healing character.
Construction of the graduation tower began in August 2013 and was to be completed after a year, but its opening was postponed until December. The investment cost the Wieliczka Salt Mine over PLN 8 million.
The facility was built on a difficult terrain affected by mining damage. It was built for over a year. When building the building's foundations, Skanska company used special reinforcement to limit the impact of mining damage on the graduation tower. The utilities necessary for the functioning of the facility were also created.
The area around the graduation towers was also taken care of. Elements of small architecture were created here - benches and showcases for thematic exhibitions. The alleys surrounding the graduation tower have been illuminated to emphasize the sculptures presented here.
The graduation tower is located in the Saint Kinga Park, near the Daniłowicz Shaft, which leads to the mine underground. It is made of larch wood. The material was chosen not by accident, because larch is extremely durable - in dry conditions its wood can survive up to 1800 years, and in water for about 500 years. It is the only one that does not rot in sea water. The larch construction is lined with blackthorn bundles. Blackthorn, or wild plum, is a thorn shrub found almost all over Europe. It creates dense thickets and provides hardwood. Thinking about graduation towers blackthorn is cut at a specific time of the year - when the leaves fall off and the juices drain to the roots.
The graduation tower in Wieliczka covers 7,500 square meters and is surrounded by a garden. Tourists are to be attracted not only by the health properties of the facility, but also by additional attractions, such as the 22-meter high observation tower. Up to 100 people can use the advantages of the graduation towers at the same time.
The building resembles a wooden stronghold with a 22.5 m high octagonal observation tower. It refers to the cooling towers of the Salt Mine, demolished in 2009, located in the area of Dembowskiego and Matejki streets. From the tower you can see the panorama of the park, the center of Wieliczka, the Franciscan monastery and the nearby mining shafts.
Inhalations at the graduation tower are recommended for people suffering from recurrent or chronic respiratory diseases. Patients with rhinitis, inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, laryngitis, and patients with acute respiratory infections after therapy will feel relief. The salt aerosol also facilitates the removal of secretions in people suffering from, for example, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or bronchial asthma. It is also worth going to the graduation tower when you are healthy. Inhalations help to clear the respiratory tract. The unique microclimate in this place also allows you to relax and regain energy.
There are no age restrictions for visiting the graduation tower. It is recommended that one visit should not exceed 30 minutes.
