Breaths like a day at the sea
Anyone who has ever stood at a graduation tower in Lower Saxony knows this special feeling: A cool, salty breath hangs in the air, your chest expands, and for a moment, everyday life seems far away. Whether in Bad Rothenfelde, Bad Salzdetfurth, or Bad Essen – graduation towers throughout the state characterize places where history, health, and landscape converge. They remind us that Lower Saxony is not just a land of heathland, coast, and cities, but also a region where "white gold" has influenced life and culture for centuries.
But salt air is more than a relic of bygone times. In spa gardens from Hanover to Göttingen, the mighty wooden structures are vibrant places of power, attracting visitors seeking tranquility or relief for their respiratory problems . Yet, even here, a contradiction emerges: Regular visits to the graduation towers cost time, travel costs, and entrance fees – a considerable sum quickly adds up. It's precisely at this point that many wonder whether there isn't a way to permanently incorporate the experience into their daily lives.
Below, we travel to seven of the most impressive graduation towers in Lower Saxony, which demonstrate how diverse and vibrant the state's salt history has remained – places that must be experienced if you want to understand why salt air is far more than just a hint of the sea inland.
Bad Rothenfelde – salt air between brine springs and spa park
Bad Rothenfelde is home to one of the largest graduation towers in Europe. Two monumental blackthorn walls crisscross the town, a total of over 400 meters long and up to 10 meters high. Even from afar, you can see the water trickling in delicate streams over the dark branches, while a fine veil of salt disperses in the air. Walkers report that breathing feels deeper and freer here, as if the North Sea were right on their doorstep. A visit in spring is particularly impressive, when the first warm rays of sunshine bathe the salty mist in a glittering light. For many, the graduation tower is not only a place of relaxation, but also a landmark of the region, highlighting the importance of salt production in the Osnabrück region to this day.
Bad Salzdetfurth – spa history in the Leine Valley
Bad Salzdetfurth also bears salt in its name – and in the heart of the town stands an impressive graduation tower, an integral part of the spa tradition since the 18th century. Nestled in a well-kept park, the complex exudes tranquility and stability. Visitors relax on the surrounding benches, read, or listen to the steady dripping of the brine, which seems like a natural rhythm. The salty air not only has a soothing effect on the respiratory system but also creates an atmosphere that many describe as relaxing and healing . With its proximity to Hildesheim and Hanover, Bad Salzdetfurth is a popular destination for day visitors who appreciate the balance between historical scenery and modern health culture.
Bad Essen – Salt air in the Wiehen Mountains
In the spa town of Bad Essen, on the edge of the Wiehen Hills, stands a graduation tower that impresses visitors at first sight. Over 100 meters long and clad in dark blackthorn, it rises above the spa gardens like a wall of living water. Here, the brine from the Jordansprudel spring meets the fine wooden mesh and disperses into an aerosol that fills the air with a fresh, almost maritime aroma. Especially on warm summer days, a fine mist forms that settles like a cooling veil over skin and breath. Many use the graduation tower as a daily stop; others combine the visit with a stroll through the historic town center of Bad Essen. This transforms the stay into a ritual combining culture, nature, and health.
Lüneburg – Salt town with historical heritage
Lüneburg is widely known as a Hanseatic city and salt metropolis. Even in the Middle Ages, "white gold" laid the foundation for its prosperity. Today, the graduation tower in the spa gardens commemorates this history—a facility that combines tradition and modernity. The brine comes from the old salt springs and is channeled over the wooden walls, while the mist makes the air noticeably heavier. Those who breathe in the air here sense how closely Lüneburg's identity is intertwined with salt. Visitors often describe the atmosphere as "earthy and maritime at the same time"—an impression that is particularly intense in the evening, when the graduation tower is bathed in warm light and the park falls into tranquility.
Bad Pyrmont – Salt air in the Weserbergland
Bad Pyrmont is known for its healing springs, but the graduation tower in the heart of the spa gardens is also one of the town's treasures. The long wooden wall, interspersed with blackthorn, blends harmoniously into the park landscape. As the brine trickles over the branches, a fine mist settles into the air – and visitors report that their breathing immediately feels freer. Particularly enchanting is the contrast between the perfectly formed gardens and the raw power of the graduation tower, which combines nature and healing tradition.
Göttingen – Graduation tower in the old spa park Bovenden
Not far from Göttingen, in the Bovenden district, stands a graduation tower that is especially appreciated by locals. It's smaller than the monumental structures in Bad Rothenfelde or Bad Salzdetfurth, but its compact size makes it a familiar, almost family-like place. Children play in the park, while adults linger on benches and enjoy the salty air. For many people in the region, it's a source of everyday health that's quickly accessible and doesn't require a long commute.
Bad Zwischenahn – Salt air in the Ammerland expanse
Although Bad Zwischenahn is primarily known for its Zwischenahner Meer lake, the spa park also features a graduation tower, revealing another facet of the region's health culture. The salty air here blends with the fresh breeze of the Ammerland landscape—a combination visitors describe as particularly soothing. Walkers often use the facility after a walk around the lake to relax and breathe deeply. This makes the graduation tower a place of connection: between water, land, and breath.
Conclusion: Salt air between spa park and everyday life
The graduation towers in Lower Saxony tell a story deeply interwoven with the landscape and culture. From the monumental structures in Bad Rothenfelde to the traditional salt walls in Lüneburg and the quieter towns in Göttingen and Bad Zwischenahn, they demonstrate that salt air is far more than a medical aid. They are places of encounter, tranquility, and remembrance – small windows to the sea, right inland.
But anyone who regularly seeks out the soothing effects quickly realizes that visits to spas add up. Admission fees, travel expenses, and the time invested add up to a sum at the end of the year that surprises many. This is precisely where the idea of incorporating salt air into their daily routine grows, even beyond the next excursion.
A mini-saltworks makes this possible. It operates on the principle of large graduation towers, only on a smaller scale: quiet, efficient, and available at all times. Compared to repeated trips, the investment often pays for itself in a short time. This way, the special experience in the spa gardens becomes a daily ritual at home – without long walks, but with the same calming effect on the respiratory system and well-being.
(Image source: Adobe Stock)
