Wieliczka Salt Mine

Wieliczka, Poland

The Wieliczka Salt Mine was built in the 13th century and produced table salt continuously until 2007, as one of the world's oldest salt mines still in operation. From its beginning and throughout its existence, the Royal mine was run by the Żupy krakowskie Salt Mines.

The mine's attractions include dozens of statues and four chapels that have been carved out of the rock salt by the miners. The oldest sculptures are augmented by the new carvings by contemporary artists. About 1.2 million people visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine annually.

The Wieliczka salt mine reaches a depth of 327 metres and is over 287 kilometres long. In 1978 it was placed on the original UNESCO list of the World Heritage Sites. Even the crystals of the chandeliers are made from rock salt that has been dissolved and reconstituted to achieve a clear, glass-like appearance. It also houses a private rehabilitation and wellness complex.

References:

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 13th century
Category: Statues in Poland

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Marina (2 months ago)
Wonderfully unique experience. There are a lot of steps to get down, and the entire experience is walking, with a short break where you can buy snacks and souvenirs. There's also souvenirs and food above ground on the premises. Better to order tickets in advance, there are half a dozen languages available.
Chris V (2 months ago)
Such a cool experience and incredible history here. Be prepared for a long walk, especially with children. There is no strollers allowed. If you’re gonna have a child strap to you make sure you’re in good shape lots of ups and downs and clients and declines almost like a hike, but definitely worth the tour. The architecture and the mine was so incredibly well put together that it’s hard to absorb everything and really understand it all. if you have the time to come here, it’s definitely a recommend and I would do it again. Incredible to visit. Almost unreal
Sarolta Pudney (2 months ago)
We had a great experience at the Wieliczka Salt Mine. To be honest I didn’t expect much but I was completely blown away by the beauty of it! All the chambers have something unique and our guide was really knowledgeable and entertaining as well! The tour does take 2.5-3 hours and involves a lot of walking but is definitely worth it. Highly recommend to pay the salt mine a visit when in the area.
E D (2 months ago)
One of the best places / museums I have ever been! Been here twice and loved it each time, the salt mine is quite large but time really flies by. It was so cool to walk down the stairs, see all the different rooms and passages, and there's even a café and some shops down there. There are plenty of statues, large halls, and even a church down there. When you get to the end, you take a long elevator back up to the ground. I will definitely be coming back again for a third visit!
Dominykas K (3 months ago)
This place is very, very touristy. It's convenient to get there by train, and there are plenty of clear signs in the city directing you to the start. The tour itself left a positive impression, but there's definitely room for improvement considering the price. Everything operates like a conveyor belt – groups are admitted one after another, so for most of the tour, groups are practically on each other's heels, causing congestion. Because of this, the tour moves very quickly. The mine itself is impressive and well-maintained, with many exhibits and installations that truly showcase the hard work of salt miners from that era. One downside is that the guides don’t have microphones, and the groups are quite large, so it’s hard to hear the guide if you’re further back. Everyone ends up crowding to hear. Guides should have microphones with speakers so everyone can hear. Our tour was led by Lyudmila – a wonderful and charismatic guide. Throughout the tour, she kept us very engaged and passionately shared about salt mining. It was fascinating to listen to her! An excellent guide.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Gravensteen

The Gravensteen is a castle in Ghent originating from the Middle Ages. The name means 'castle of the counts' in Dutch. Arnulf I (918–965), Count of Flanders, was the first to fortify this place, building a medieval bastion on this high sand dune, naturally protected by the river Leie and its marshy banks. This bastion consisted of a central wooden building and several surrounding buildings, also in wood.

In the early 11th century, the wooden building was replaced by a stone residence, consisting of three large halls that made up three storeys, connected by a stone stairwell. The monumental stone staircase, the light openings, the fireplaces built into the walls and the latrines were signs of considerable luxury and comfort in those days. There was probably also a tower.