Some travelers visit Nakhchivan to bask in the beauty of its mountains, ancient palaces, and fortresses, while others come for a breath of fresh air. And it’s not just the pristine mountain air that draws them here. Nestled within the city is the renowned wellness center “Duzdag,” which has gained international acclaim for its unique salt caves. The therapeutic properties of salt have been recognized since ancient times, serving as an indispensable remedy for respiratory ailments and allergic reactions. Most importantly, this treatment is entirely natural and eliminates the need for any pharmaceutical interventions. In medical terminology, the treatment using salt vapors is known as halotherapy.
The Duzdag wellness center is located deep within a salt mine, approximately 300 meters underground. Inside the caves, specially designed comfortable chambers are available for visitors. These chambers maintain a consistently low humidity and stable temperature (between 17-18 degrees Celsius), with oxygen levels reaching around 20% between the salt layers. Natural ventilation circulates the air, ensuring it is free of bacteria, microbes, and any particles that could trigger allergic reactions.
Experts highlight one significant advantage of this wellness center: its horizontal layout. This design allows patients to gradually acclimate to the new climatic conditions.
The primary healing agent here is the minuscule salt particles. Due to their tiny size (approximately 0.001 millimeters), they easily penetrate the respiratory tract upon inhalation, effectively cleansing it. The salts of Duzdag are ecologically pure, free from heavy minerals. In addition to salt, the air in the caves is enriched with other beneficial elements such as iodine, calcium, sodium, magnesium, and chloride ions, among others.
Such a diverse array of beneficial substances in one location is a rarity. Thanks to its unique caves, Duzdag has emerged as a leader among many popular European centers for treating respiratory diseases and allergy symptoms. Many individuals suffering from asthma, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, and other bronchial and lung conditions come here for relief. Research indicates that adults with bronchial asthma experience a 65-70% improvement after halotherapy, while children see an 80-85% recovery rate. Studies have shown that after just a few sessions, there is a noticeable reduction in mucus and phlegm in the bronchi, coughing fits and episodes of suffocation gradually diminish, and breathing stabilizes.
Additionally, salt treatments are effective for cardiovascular diseases, hormonal imbalances, dermatological issues (such as psoriasis), and even depression. This last benefit is easily explained, as our mental well-being is closely linked to our physical health. Inhaling salt helps reduce the secretion of cortisol, the stress hormone, which adversely affects brain function when present in excess. As cortisol production decreases, another hormone—melatonin—becomes more active. Thus, halotherapy not only promotes tranquility and alleviates stress but also helps normalize sleep patterns.
The salt mines of Duzdag are recognized as some of the oldest known to date. Artifacts discovered here during archaeological excavations are dated back to approximately the 5th to 4th millennia BCE. It is well-documented that these salt mines are located near an ancient trade route that was used for transporting silk from Tabriz (Iran) to Constantinople.
Initially, the age of these mines was estimated to be around 4,000 years. However, recent findings over the past two years, including tools such as pickaxes, stone hammers, and ceramics, have allowed researchers to “age” this site by an additional 3,000 years. The depth of the mines indicates their extensive exploitation over the centuries.
Archaeologists have noted that only small communities inhabited the surrounding areas, living by the principles of autarky (self-sufficiency). This suggests that the salt extracted from these mines was likely sold to other settlements, highlighting the economic significance of Duzdag in ancient trade networks.