The wieliczka salt mine remained functional for centuries. Wieliczka salt mine through the eyes of a noted polish photographer pawel. Historic salt mine tourist guide polish edition by mariabroniowskahenrykszydowski abebooks. It is said about him that he found a poland made of wood and left it made of stone. The hungarian princess kinga was about to be married to the king of krakow. The krakow salt mine is rich in history as a unesco world heritage site. Many people ask to get married inside of the salt mines cathedral. Wieliczka and bochnia royal salt mines unesco world.
Its a subterranean labyrinth of tunnels and chambers about 300km distributed over nine levels, the deepest being 327m. A while ago during easter break we spent a few days in krakow, poland. In 1978, the mine was inscribed on unescos world heritage list. Wieliczka salt mine is an incredible polish underground. The tradition of miners carving statues into the rock salt of the tunnel walls dates. Wieliczka salt mine is also one of the most important religious places in poland. Throughout its history, the royal salt mine was operated by the zupy krakowskie krakow salt mines company. Jan 01, 2001 wieliczka, the sevenhundredyearsold royal mining town, lies in little poland malopolska, near cracow, the old capital of poland. The wieliczka salt mine, located in southern poland, near krakow, is over 700 years old. The crown jewel in the wieliczka salt mine is the impressive chapel of st.
Prus combined his powerful impressions of the salt mine with the description of the ancient egyptian labyrinth, in book ii of herodotus. Despite the mines remarkable history, it is the miner artwork and later artwork by others that brings over a million tourists to the wieliczka salt mine each year. Wieliczka salt mine is a product of work of tens of generations of miners. See all 147 wieliczka salt mine tickets and tours on tripadvisor. Over the nine centuries of salt extraction the salt mine has transformed into an underground city in which a specific, therapeutic microclimate has developed. Due to falling salt prices and mine flooding, commercial salt mining was discontinued in 1996. Reaching depths of 1073ft 327m, wieliczka salt mine is over 190 miles 300km long and attracts around 1. Wieliczka, polands salt mine alternate history of the world. Wieliczka, the sevenhundredyearsold royal mining town, lies in little poland malopolska, near cracow, the old capital of poland. The history of the salt mine in wieliczka goes back to the middle ages. The wieliczka salt mine in the krakow metropolitan area is something of an enigmatic legend in poland.
Wieliczka salt mine is said to be the oldest operating business in poland. You can go to the salt mine by yourself and join a group or you can prebook a tour. Asmr history of petra and other underground cities goreme. From neolithic times, sodium chloride table salt was produced there from the upwelling brine. The 10 best wieliczka salt mine kopalnia soli tours. The castle, on the other hand, is one of the most valuable salt shaker collections in the world. Throughout its history, the royal salt mine was operated by the zupy krakowskie krakow. Asmr history of petra and other underground cities. Underground adventure in wieliczka salt mines hidden. Throughout the centuries wieliczka continued bringing great wealth to the polish republic. Wieliczka saltworks castle is inscribed on the register of historic monuments of the state party n a579, march 1988. It was opened in the th century and since then it has been continuously exploited.
Wieliczka salt mine can be crowded, so we recommend booking etickets ahead of time to secure your spot. Book your auschwitz and wieliczka salt mine tour online. It owes its existence and increasing fame to the rocksalt mine, which is also seven hundred years old. The mine has nine levels, is 1,000 feet deep, and has. It owes its existence and increasing fame to the rock salt mine, which is also seven hundred years old. This is including transport, guides, tickets and polish lunch in a restaurant. Legend has that salt mining started here in 1290 and there is an interesting story behind this start. Cracow saltworks museum in wieliczka cracow saltworks.
Kopalnia soli wieliczka, in the town of wieliczka, southern. It has exhibitions in the medieval saltworks castle and in the historic salt mine, where you can see unique horse machines, minerals, works of art and beautiful chambers. Book your tickets online for wieliczka salt mine, wieliczka. To get to the bottom of the wieliczka salt mine, it takes 810. Wieliczka historic salt mine by janusz podlecki goodreads. It is the largest underground museum in europe, and presents all aspects of salt making and mining conducted at the krakow salt works. The wieliczka salt mine was founded in the th century and has been a tourist destination since the 18th century. Since 1990 the mine stopped digging down for salt, but it. Jan 01, 2005 just as wieliczka is permanently connected with st kinga, the town. Wieliczka historic salt mine hardcover january 1, 2004 by janusz podlecki author see all 3 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Wieliczka salt mine 2020 all you need to know before you.
Today, it is a city lying 500 feet underground with some of the most amazing architecture youve ever seen. Wieliczka salt mine wieliczka, poland atlas obscura. Some 14km southeast of krakow, the wieliczka vyehleechkah salt mine has been welcoming tourists since 1722 and today is one of poland s most popular attractions. A winding, crystalline labyrinth of elegant sculptures, cavernous hallways and deep green lakes, our local guides provide you with fascinating insight and unparalleled service, so that you get the most out of your salt mine experience. Barbersurgeons were employed who offered simple health treatments. In 1774, guest books were introduced to be signed by visitors. See all 152 wieliczka salt mine tickets and tours on tripadvisor. A visit to wieliczka salt mine is a must when in poland. Famous salt mine worked from the th century, unesco world heritage site.
Throughout history, the way of thinking about the wieliczka salt mine has changed from an industrial plant to a worldfamous tourist attraction, a place of unusual events and a health resort. Wieliczka salt mine is where you may feel trapped underground for a while, but never as if it was a tourist trap. A visit underground surrounded by beautiful pieces of art made of salt is an unforgettable experience. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our. The wieliczka salt mine was visited by the president of the republic of poland andrzej duda and his wife, agata kornhauserduda. I didnt want to go down into a salt mine because i am claustrophobic. It encompasses 9 levels, 2040 chambers and 360 km of galleries that form a mysterious labyrinth. First mention of the existence of underground salt in wieliczka is found in writings of 1124, but its industrial utilization began in the 8 th decade of the th century. This volume shows the beauty and uniqueness of both, the aboveground city, and the one chiseled in salt below. The wieliczka salt mine, excavated from the th century, produced table salt continuously until 2007, as one of the worlds oldest operating salt mines. And in this case, its an intoxicating experience that will leave your head spinning.
One of polands top tourist attractions, a worldclass monument and one of unescos world culture and natural heritage sites. Wieliczka salt mine krakow salt mines cracow city tours. The wieliczka salt mine one of the most frequently visited tourist attractions in poland records a good 2019, both in terms of the number of visitors. This subterranean labyrinth includes galleries of art, with statues sculpted directly into the rock salt, some telling the history of this massive and constantly evolving industrial undertaking. Legend has it that queen kinga, wife of wladislav, then the king of poland, found the mine in the th century. Kilometers of underground corridors with impressive chambers, chapels and emerald salt lakes hide the history. Wieliczka salt mine is located in the town of wieliczka in southern poland.
Historic salt mine tourist guide polish edition by mariabroniowskahenrykszydowski and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Apr 07, 2015 10 things that will shock you about traveling the world s1 e34 visit krakow 10 things that will shock you about krakow, poland duration. Sep 18, 20 time to visit wieliczka salt mine, krakow, poland. A wieliczka salt mine visitors guide four around the world. Wieliczka mine, wieliczka county, lesser poland voivodeship, poland. Jul 11, 2017 with 183 years of history, the wieliczka salt mine representative brass band claims to be europes oldest and plays at all the religious holidays in the underground chapel, as well as at. Kopalnia soli wieliczka, in the town of wieliczka, southern poland, lies within the krakow metropolitan area. Operating without a break since the thirteenth century, the wieliczka salt mine holds, deep down underground, not only the extraordinary beauty of the miners world, but also the mysterious past which comes down to us in many legends. The bochnia salt mine is legally protected both as a registered historic monument n a238, december 1981 and as the monument of history presidential decree, september 2000. Wieliczka mine, wieliczka county, lesser poland voivodeship. History of wieliczka salt mine the water in the wieliczka region had always been salty, and salt used to be extracted from it for use in varied chores. It illustrates the historic stages of the development of mining techniques in europe from the th to the 20th century.
Nov 18, 2014 a twenty minute drive from krakow will take you to the wieliczka salt mine. Wieliczka salt mine krakow, poland attractions lonely planet. It poses exhibitions in the medieval saltworks castle and in the historic salt mine, where you can admire unique mining machines, minerals, works of art and beautiful chambers. Dec 14, 2016 the wieliczka salt mine is well worth visiting because its history and importance is tightly woven into the fabric of this region of poland. Wielickza salt mine is a wonder of human engineering and endeavour. Unesco added the salt mine to the world heritage list in 1978. Some 14km southeast of krakow, the wieliczka vyehleechkah salt mine has been welcoming tourists since 1722 and today is one of polands most popular attractions. Jul 18, 2016 many people ask to get married inside of the salt mines cathedral.
Kilometers of underground corridors with impressive chambers, chapels and emerald salt lakes hide the history and secrets of the mine. The wieliczka salt mine, excavated from the th century, produced table salt continuously until 2007. Other articles where wieliczka salt mine is discussed. The mine has been on the unesco heritage site since 1978. Ive always been partial to seeing underground sites and caves you can thank my grandfather for that one so this place was just my cup of tea. History of the mine about the salt mines wieliczka salt mine. It is easily accessible from krakow and it is a good option for the day in case of bad weather. The main attraction of the mine is the chamber of st kinga, which is made entirely out of salt. The wieliczka salt mine began production in the th century, and at one point in its history, it produced onethird of polands income.
Its a subterranean labyrinth of tunnels and chambers about 300km distributed over nine levels, the deepest being 327m underground of which a small part is open to the. Wieliczka salt mine 2020 all you need to know before you go. Its 190 miles 300 km of underground tunnels now contain a functioning sanatorium, a museum, and several chapels. Wieliczka salt mine krakow, poland attractions lonely. Heres a few facts about the wieliczka salt mine that you might find interesting. Kinga was a hungarian princess set to marry the sovereign of krakow, poland. Well, except for if you dont like being underground. Throughout the years miners here carved figurines of saints, hoping that they will protect them from harm. Exploring polands famous wieliczka salt mine roaming required. Due to falling salt prices and mine flooding, commercial salt mining was. The salt gets rid of bacteria too so youre good to go.
The wieliczka salt mine is one of the worlds oldest salt mines still in operation. With its storied cities and breathtaking landscape, vibrant food scene and rich history, poland is an ideal destination for travelers looking for a trip full of culture and beauty. The mine was established between the 12th and th centuries after salt was first discovered in bochnia and became part of the royal mining company zupy krakowskie krakow salt works. Incredible polish wieliczka salt mine is underground city. Wieliczka, poland this subcamp of the krakauplaszow concentration camp was created in the spring of 1944 and produced heinkel aircraft. The wieliczka salt mine is now an official polish historic monument pomnik historii. Wieliczka, the sevenhundredyearsold royal mining town. Established by the royal decree, wieliczka salt mine was the largest provider of table salt in the region and together with the bochnia salt mine was one of the oldest salt mines in poland. This is no ordinary mine, no warren of small dark tunnels and dangerous industrial pitfalls. Even today, the wieliczka salt mine is often included in the plans of official visits of politicians, crowned heads of state and members of royal. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
One the top of our bucket list of places to see there was the salt mine. If youre eager to plan an itinerary that will maximize your time, read on to learn how to spend a. In wieliczka also saline baths operated from as early as 1289. An eerie world where everything has been carved from salt blocks, the wieliczka salt mine kopalnia soli is made up of a labyrinth of tunnels, the deepest of which lies 1,075 feet 327 meters underground. Participants of the owhc world congress in krakow to visit wieliczka. Visit the wieliczka salt mine visit krakow bezoek krakau. Feb 04, 2020 petra, the capital of the nabataeans jordan, goreme and derinkuyu in cappadocia turkey, the wieliczka salt mine poland. Kopalnia soli bochnia in bochnia, poland is one of the oldest salt mines in the world and the oldest company in poland. Cracow saltworks museum in wieliczka is one of the largest mining museums in europe. Wieliczka, the nazi death camp in poland not the salt mine.
There are chapels and statues carved out of the rock salt and an underground lake offering a breathtaking and unique sight. Be prepared for crowds but dont let that deter you from visiting a remarkable place in polands history. Wieliczka salt mine is the top tourist attraction near royal. See all 151 wieliczka salt mine tickets and tours on tripadvisor.
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