Salt Mine Therapy in Belarus

A child looks on after spending time at the Belarus' Republican Clinic of Spelotherapy, which is located within a salt mine near the town of Soligorsk, south of Minsk, Feb. 19, 2015.



According to the state clinic, more than 7,000 children and adults seek medical treatment for respiratory illness each year in the subsurface chambers of its facilities, located 420 meters underground between layers of potassium and stone salts in an operational salt mine.

A girl reads a book while resting in the clinic.

A teacher exercises by holding onto rungs attached to the cylindrical clinic walls.

Children play billiards in the clinic, which is located within a salt mine.

Youths chat among themselves as workers walk past.

Youths spend time in the facilities of Belarus' Republican Clinic of Speleotherapy.

Children gather around to play table tennis.

Children resting at the Belarussian clinic.

There is even a basketball ring located in the clinic.