^{Photo Credit: Mikhail Mishainik}

Deep under the city of Yekaterinburg in Russia, there’s this wild place most people have never even heard of, a psychedelic salt mine that looks like something out of a dream.

Picture miles of tunnels swirling with vivid colors, blue, orange, red, yellow, all naturally formed in the rock. It’s not graffiti or paint.

These mind-bending patterns were created by minerals that settled here over 280 million years ago, back when the area was covered by an ancient sea.

The colors come from a mineral called carnallite, and when you see it streaked across the walls, it feels like stepping into some kind of underground art gallery. except it’s all natural.

These tunnels were once mined for potash, but now they’re mostly abandoned. A few brave explorers have gone in to take photos, spending hours (or even overnight) in the dark maze.

The catch? You can’t just show up and go for a tour. The mines are technically closed to the public, and getting in legally requires a hard-to-get government permit. Plus, it’s not exactly safe.

There are dangerous gases, unstable tunnels, and it’s pitch black without your own light. Still, for anyone obsessed with hidden worlds and weird natural wonders, this place is a total gem. Just be warned, it’s not for the casual tourist.

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