Both mines also offersleepovers deep down the surface, which are quite an adventure both for adults and kids! Its hard to comprehend the magnitude of the tunnels and the countless chambers beneath our everyday world. The information regarding the administrator and personal data processing. If youre planning a trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, I can suggest the grand Grand Sal Hotel, which is located conveniently near the Danilovich Shaft. Wieliczka Pictures and Google Map Location : If you find yourself in St. Kinga Park, you should stop by the, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wieliczka_Salt_Mine. Their collection of mining tools, prove mining technology evolution. You should spend at least 2 days in Krakw to appreciate its magnificent monuments and vibrant atmosphere and savour the night-life, cruise along the Vistula River, and climb at least one mound. Be prepared that the lift back to the surface is somewhat primitive, small and very crowded. By leaving cookies in your browser settings enabled you accept the use of cookies. They have also . They remained in operation until 2007 and they have earned a recognition as one of the oldest salt mines in the world. The mines were worked continuously from the. Finally, we had to go through an area with souvenir shops, restaurants, conference rooms, and all these things until we got to the elevator that took us back to the surface. The tour can be extended by a boat trip on a narrow channel, actually that was the best part of the visit. It has formed a 36-meter-deep chamber. I would certainly recommend this visit to anyone!! At present, brine is drawn from here, which is then turned into salt through the brewing process. On a separate visit a few years later, I also visited the Bochnia mine, which was added to the list as an extension of Wielieczka. The Wieliczka mine is a fascinating site and well worth the steep price of about 18 Euro. Frankly, the extension was an error as it dliutes the OUV. This is the place where you can also participate in a mass. We arrived just in time to get tickets for the first English tour at 8.30 am. The routs are arranged from 07:30 am to 07:30 pm, however, the tours with an English-speaking guide are available between 09:00 am and 07:00 pm. The tour itself is quite interesting touching upon different aspects of salt production and giving some insight on other trivial stuff. In fact, there are over 40 places of religious importance located underground. It is widely known that the patron of salt miners is Saint Kinga, a woman of the Arpad dynasty who was married to Boleslaw the Chaste. Not like cut crystals at all. Salt mines are distinct from other mining sites: less dusty and narrow, but with spacious excavation chambers. Full of historical machines, tools, salt sculptures and artworks, it forms a unique and authentic record of the development of mining techniques and a chronicle of mining culture, beliefs and customs throughout centuries. Kinga later became a saint patron of Polish salt miners. * I have familiarized myself with the information regarding the personal data processing. Wieliczka is located only 10 km from Krakow. Wieliczka Salt Mine, also known as the Krakow Salt Mine is a 'must' when you visit Poland! As you journey through the captivating chambers and salt chambers, you will be accompanied by a guide. ** During peak season, it is advised to book tickets in advance. Accessible only forpersons of over 10 years old. All of these attractions and experiences listed below are within 100 km of Krakw, within two hours drive. The worlds only ferry crossing of an underground chamber flooded with brine is without a doubt the biggest attraction of the Bochnia mine. Oh, it's not like it looks like salt. The huge chandeliers in this Cathedral are made of salt, each consisting of many dangling salt crystals. The price for a single ticket in their case is 6 PLN while a pass for 5 tickets costs 20 PLN and a pass of 10 tickets is available for 30 PLN. During the flight, the balloon was able to soar up to 213 centimeters in the air and remain there for four minutes. Tacky to the point where I had to laugh or I would have cried!! The starting point for this tour of the Wieliczka Salt Mine is Paderewski Shaft and its end point is located at Regis Schaft. This organized tour will guide you through multiple corridors and rooms decorated with salt sculptures and statues, chapels including the must-see chapel of St. Kinga as well as underground saline lake. We visited several levels by stairs or elevator, and saw many works of art, carved entirely out of salt. Some people joke that it is an enormous underground Swiss cheese. in the Weimar chamber), others with huge wooden scaffolds such as in the Michalowice chamber (photo). After we had negotiated the incredible number of steps to get down to the first level in the mine, we realised that what we saw was very much worth the effort. They have also been a business project, with one of the longest history in Poland.The salt mines are famous for chapels cut of the salt with altars and statues. Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines Together with the neighboring Bochnia it is one of the oldest salt mines in the world. At a depth of 135 meters, visitors can enjoy the health benefits of the beneficial microclimate of the salt chambers. There are several options available to the tourists, however, it is important to make sure the one you are interested in will indeed be available at the time of your visit. While a standard ticket costs 9 PLN, you can also get a pass of 5 tickets for 30 PLN and get 10 tickets for 50 PLN, yet, remember to use them within 30 days after a purchase. and lots of ther carved objects are disappointing. Walking Print directions The total length of the passages linking about 3000 cavities (passages, ramps, excavation chambers, shafts and small shafts) exceeds 300 km. Not the best solution for anyone suffering from claustrophobia or anxiety! Each year more than 1 million tourists visit the mine - not without good reason. Since a very long time ago, thanks to the process of evaporation, salt was obtained from naturally occurring brine springs. When planning a trip to the Wieliczka underground, you will be able to choose one of several routes. Subscribe to our newsletter with news about the museum, exhibitions and activities. Technological progress turned the Wieliczka Salt Mine into a modern business enterprise in the 16th century. Theyfound a lump of salt that, when split in two, revealed the hidden princesss ring. The tour begins by descending the stairs to 64 meters, then you will explore the three levels of the mine. Next, the route goes through the tavern, which is also situated underground. Pilgrims Route is quite similar to Tourist Route, however, it is more focused on the Christian religion as a part of the culture of the generations of miners working in Wieliczka. It illustrates the historic stages of the development of mining techniques in Europe from the 13th to the 20th century. They represent testimony of miners tradition to carve sculptures out of the nature rock. A must visit sight on your trip to our beloved Motherland, Poland. The mine houses an Underground Multimedia Exposition presenting the history of salt production. In 2013, the mine was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as an extension of the Wieliczka Salt Mine inscription of 1978. **Schedule around four hours for the entire trip and related activities, as the Brine Graduation Tower awaits you above. The grounds of this chamber were filled with brine to form a small lake. The Salt Mines were the best thing about our trip to Krakow. Coinciding with the European Heritage Days celebrations, UNESCO will launch the first-ever web platform dedicated to World Heritage and sustainable travel. Discover the oldest Bochnia mine workings, which have never before been made available to tourists, where rock salt was mined from the Middle Ages to the early twentieth century. Entire economies were based on salt production and trade, and Poland's medieval capital, Cracow was fortunate to be close to some of the richest salt deposits in the world. Discounts are available for older children, students below 26 years and adults above 65 years of age. This mine receives far more visitors than Bochnia and although I has a commentary in English, the group had to keep moving to keep ahead of the next one. In 2000, the record was set for the deepest underground hot air balloon flight. They must have cut down a whole forest only for the section of the visitors route. You might go if you've never been in a large cave before. This 54 m long and almost 12 m high stunning chapel is completely carved in salt. As the Carpathian Mountains were being formed around the same time, the bottom of the basin was lowered significantly, which greatly boosted sedimentation. Full-day tours that combine a visit to Wieliczka Salt Mine with The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum commemorating the Holocaust victims are also available. I visited this WHS in September 2014. To enjoy all of the Maopolska attractions featured here, plan at least 10 days in the region. how?! . Exploring the old mines gives you an insight into the life of miners. Way overrated. Note that Miners Route goes through a colder part of the mining site where the temperature can reach 14C. From the 13th century up until 2007, the mines produced table salt, and in 2010 they were officially added to UNESCO's World Heritage Site List. Inside the altar area we will see the relics of St. Kinga and John Paul II. A standard ticket costs 119 PLN, while there is also a special family ticket. The Kinga Chapel is breathtaking. In 1996, the industrial production of salt was stopped. The artistry at display and how the miners transformed a mundane, industrial mine into architecture and art is astonishing. Brief description The rock salt mines of Wieliczka and Bochnia have been worked since the 13th century. The mine houses an underground post office, restaurant, cinema, tennis court, and sanatorium which offers allergy and asthma treatment. It is possible to disable cookies through your browser settings. Part of the route leads through the Krakow Saltworks Museum. Tourists cross the distance of 120 m in chamber flooded with brine, accompanied by two raftsmen, who spin colourful tales of the mysterious recesses of the Bochnia mine. If you decide to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine taking Tourist Route,you will be able to learn about the history of the place as well as the technology used by the mine that produced table salt in the past. (the camera I had when I visited was not so good, so alas the pictures I have are all of the surface but trust me the mines themselves are much more interesting!!). Or to any of several monestaries in the Judean desert. The inscribed area is almost 1000 hectare large and has about 300 kilometres galleries on nine levels, the deepest being more than 300 metres underground. We wish to invite you to share your opinions about Poland. The mines are the oldest of their type in the world. Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Minesselected as one of 34 World Heritage sites in the EU featured in World Heritage Journeys sustainable travel web platform. Entrance fee includes a ticket to the Krakow Saltworks Museum. For instance, you might prefer this option if you are going to stay in one of the Krakow hotels and would like to get your transportation from there. A vast part of the decorations of Wieliczka mine site is devotional. Research indicates that the **Wieliczka deposit originated 14 million years ago, during the Miocene era, when the Paratethys Sea (also known as the Sarmatian Sea) began to recede. It has a unique medieval castle design with a spacious yard. Read more about this underground church in Poland in this article: Worlds Largest Salt Mine Church -A Must-See Wonder in Poland. 18 connections. It wont be any boring geological facts, but rather a multimedia display narrating the tale of discovering St. Kingas wedding ring. But it's over in a few seconds so don't let it put you off. Wieliczka Salt Mine - symbol of World Heritage Saltworks Castle in Wieliczka, renaissance detail with the Boner Salt master's coat, 16th c. Bochnia Salt Mine, legendary Treasurer WIELICZKA AND BOCHNIA ROYAL SALT MINES PROPOSED EXTENSION OF THE WIELICZKA SALT MINE WORLD HERITAGE PROPERTY, INSCRIBED ON THE LIST IN 1978 122 5. Having seen my fair share of mines hunting world heritage sites, I have not encountered anything like it. Water flew through these layers and absorbed the salt before springing out to the earths surface.. The Wieliczka and Bochnia royal salt mines have been known for the therapeutic power of the unique underground microclimate. The mine was entered and exited via the Campi shaft. The Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Krakow area. The mine may be visited on foot or by boat. Ksiga Henrykowska, achronicle of the Cistercian Abbey of the 13th century containing the oldest sentence written in Polish, has been included in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. The case of other important annual applications with previously . Copyright 2023 POT The Privacy & Cookies Policy. What is overlooked is the engineering feats performed to make this mine what it is. A single-time family ticket costs 24 PLN. As for that, go to India (Ajunta and others) if you want to see really spectacular ancient religious buildings carved into the living stone. Memory of the World. Avoid Highways Formulated by the advisor on mining issues of the Elector of Saxony, engineer Johannes Borlach, the rule stated: Where brine springs lay, one can expect salt layers, which are the cause of the saltiness of the springs. The highlight of my visit was definitely the Underground Salt Chapel of St. Kinga and the intricate salt carvings and sculptures. Here in the Janowice chamber, you will get to hear an alternative story of where the salt in Wieliczka originated. There are even programs available to encourage health rehabilitation through underground visits. Lack of consent to the processing of data prevents us from sending you our newsletter. The main Cathedral does nothing less than take your breath away. It was named after Stanislaw Staszic, the pioneer of geological studies in Poland. The salt mine and baths provided help and assistance to the victims of accidents as well as the widows and orphans of miners in the past. About The SiteAbout The WebsiteAbout The AuthorTerms And ConditionsPrivacy Policy, ContactI am always open to your suggestions and feedback:[emailprotected], Exploring Polands Cultural Riches: A Guide to UNESCO Cities, Worlds Largest Salt Mine Church -A Must-See Wonder in Poland, Presenting Krakows Street Food Market Flavors of the World, Winter in Krakw Top Places To Enjoy the Charming Atmosphere, Seeking Medical Treatment? For some time, the mine balanced its conventional mining operations by accepting more and more visitors. 3 locations, The site has The property Wieliczka Salt Mine was inscribed on the List by World Heritage Committee in 1978, extended by Bochnia Salt Mine and Saltworks Castle in Wieliczka in 2013. It takes about 50 minutes to get to Bochnia from Krakw on a similar train. This is not only a trip to the place where the mine is located but also to the largest mining heritage museum in Poland and unusual infrastructure created in the site of the UNESCO World Heritage List. If there are still some questions you would like to find answers to, this part will provide you with more useful information. Together with the neighboring Bochnia it is one of the oldest salt mines in the world. Already during the 2nd UNESCO Conference on the List of World Heritage the Polish Wieliczka Salt Mine was entered into UNESCO's First World List of Cultural and Natural Heritage. In the case of school students, it is important to bring a school ID. Five decades later, in 2013, the Bochnia mine was added to the list as well. The royal salt mines in Wieliczka and Bochnia, unlike other European mines, are open all year round, with a few holiday exceptions. Since 1967, the chamber has featured five statues made of salt, crafted by the miner-sculptor Mieczyslaw Kluzek. The Tourist Route accounts for only 2% of Wieliczkas total underground area. Put on comfy shoes and something with long sleeves, because due to the ventilation system, wind can sometimes blow inside the mine. It is very close to Krakow which is really a WHS hotspot and perhaps it is one of Poland's most famous WHS and/or tourist attractions. Underground lake in the Wieliczka Salt Mine. For English-speaking groups, tours are organised every hour, while the tours for Polish-speaking groups are organised on demand. Prominent Europeans like Copernicus, Goethe and Chopin also visited. Print directions. No English guide is available, so I found myself pretty bored, so much so that I turned on a podcast to keep me entertained. The Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines are an example of a well-organized, large industrial establishment. The two cities are very wellconnected. Unusual post-industrial monuments, the salt mine and Saltworks Castle in Wieliczka and the salt mine in Bochnia have become an inspiration for participants of the jubilee 20th Open-air painting workshop for disabled people. Unfortunately, the least valuable sections are now being backfilled and preserved. It encompasses 9levels, 2040 chambers and 360 km of galleries that form amysterious labyrinth. I then exited via the St Regis shaft and returned to Krakow by train, which was far more comfortable than the bus.
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