Khewra Salt Mines, One of the World's Largest Salt Mines

The Khewra Salt Mines are among the largest salt mines on Earth, in continuous operation since being discovered, according to local tradition, by Alexander the Great's troops in 320 BCE, though large scale mining dates to the Mughal era. Visitors ride a small train into illuminated tunnels featuring salt brick structures including a mosque built entirely from translucent salt bricks.

History

Local tradition credits the discovery of the salt deposits to Alexander the Great's army passing through in 320 BCE, noticing horses licking the salty rocks. Systematic mining is documented from the Mughal era onward, with the mine reaching its modern scale of operation under British colonial administration in the 19th century.