Ciechocinek graduation towers getting closer to UNESCO listing
The historic saltworks complex in Ciechocinek has been recommended by the World Heritage Committee in Poland for inclusion on the national information list, which paves the way for the international honouring of our unique technical monument and its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
– The recommendation we have received is an expression of recognition of the unique values of the graduation tower and the entire brine complex, as well as an honouring of the many years of work that initially led to the graduation tower complex being entered on the List of Monuments of History, and now opens the way to the highest distinction for the monument – emphasises Marshal Piotr Całbecki. – ‘The symbol of our most famous spa is a showpiece of our region, which is why we make every effort to protect and promote this heritage internationally.
‘The Committee [for World Cultural Heritage in Poland under the Minister of Culture and National Heritage] recognises that the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), authenticity and integrity, as well as the identified attributes of the above-mentioned objects and/or historic complexes meet the criteria set by the World Heritage Committee for the construction of a representative, sustainable and credible World Heritage List,’ – reads the resolution adopted by the committee.
Among the buildings that make up the historic saltworks complex identified in the application are the brine graduation towers, the saltworks building, the underground brine intake chamber, the aboveground open Fung installation and the pumping station. The Ciechocinek complex, operating on the basis of technologies and equipment that have been in operation since the last century, is the only historical complex continuously brewing salt on an industrial scale in Europe, and its characteristic elements – the brine graduation towers – are the largest of their kind on the Old Continent. Their modernisation was completed in 2023.
– This is a historic moment for us and a great reason to be proud. The complex of the Salt Brewhouse is the heart of Ciechocinek’s spa tradition, a symbol of our identity and heritage. The fact that it has been recognised at a national level and designated as a UNESCO candidate opens up new opportunities for us to develop, promote and protect this unique place. Now we have hard work ahead of us to prove this uniqueness before the UNESCO World Heritage Committee,’ emphasises the Mayor of Ciechocinek Jarosław Jucewicz.
Entering the site on the UNESCO World Heritage List is a multi-stage process. The recommendation received paves the way for the graduation of the complex of graduation towers to be included on the national information list, which is the basis for preparing the nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in Paris. Further evaluation is carried out by experts from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The inscription is decided at the annual session of the World Heritage Committee.
The brine graduation towers, the Grzybek fountain and the Museum of Salt Brewing and Healing are administered by the Marshal’s company Uzdrowisko Ciechocinek.
This year – by a decision of the provincial assembly – the regional government took over the historic brine pool in Ciechocinek, which has been closed for over two decades.
Beata Krzemińska
Spokesperson of the Marshal’s Office
17 April 2025.