Poland proved to be special thus far, and visiting Wieliczka Salt Mine made it so unforgettable that the Southeast Poland tourist triangle route is one of the most popular in the world!
I never had any fancy thoughts about mines, I’ve never entered one before, so my judgement was fruitless and had no basis, except that I know it’s an important product of human source of livelihood and toil. I did a little research about this mine that, it’s part of the first batch of UNESCO World heritage Sites inscribed in 1978; that it’s one of the oldest salt mines in the world, built in the 13th century, which recently ceased in operation; of labyrinthine and was extensively explored that it reached 327 metres deep, spread over 9 levels, it has 300 kilometres of galleries, connecting more than 2,000 excavation chambers. Now that’s something! Makes me think of human size termite colony!
But still, I wasn’t prepared with what I’ve seen inside the mine…
Chapel of St. Kinga, Wieliczka Salt Mine
From Krakow, reaching Wieliczka Salt Mine takes less than half of the travel time reaching Auschwitz but on a totally different direction, making it shaped like an acute triangle between the three UNESCOs, i.e., Krakow- Auschwitz- Wieliczka Salt Mine.
I hired a taxi because it was raining early in the morning and I reached the site before 8AM while it’s still closed. I waited outside for about 30 minutes, smoking on the side street and setting my camera for lowlight photography because I know I’ll face challenges taking photos without flash inside the mine.
At the museum’s opening hours, I headed for the cashier to pay for my ticket for an English tour and there were many tourist buses already emptied with hoards of tourists from all over the world. I was kind of loss because I see no solo traveler like myself and I made inquiries where will I show myself up on my scheduled tour because it was overwhelmingly overcrowded.
While waiting, I had my breakfast at the cafeteria of sandwich and coffee and, in no time, our tour guide was looking for all the tourists scheduled under her wing.
The mine’s main building exterior looks nothing special. It’s like all other main buildings of mines I’ve seen- the Walloon coal mine of Bois- du- Luc was even more impressive from the outside world, I concluded.
So we had our radios and headphones ready and the tour guide assisted us where we should make the first entry to get inside the mine. I was less than ecstatic that time blaming it from the many noisy children and tourists crowding the museum’s lobby.
Main building, Wieliczka Salt Mine
Then the tour guide opened the first door and she said “we will now descend to get to the first level and walk down 380 steps of spiral wooden stairs…!” Reaching more than 64 metres underground with more than 50 turns on the spiral wooden stairs will make you dizzy and an impression of adventure of going down the unknown, reaching down the navel of the earth! We were so impressed instantly.
The historic Wieliczka Salt Mine presented us it’s extraordinary secrets and work of genius! Wonderful sculptures made from rock salt and crystals with stories and exposition of how the miner’s work during the medieval times. Mind you, they even used horses inside the mine to help transport salt deposits! There were many underground lakes and chambers that enchant visitors with their unique beauty.
We went deeper and deeper into the earth reaching about 135 metres underground, about 800 steps of wonder! It’s like the Disneyland of mines! True enough, it feels like an underground metropolis made of salt- a human sized termite colony of sort! It was quite cool inside the mine, about 14 C. The air , however, was therapeutic specially for people suffering from respiratory ailments.
We also have tried licking the solid rock salt wall of the mine chambers and even drank flowing water from pipes inside the mine! The rock salt is naturally gray in various shades, resembling unpolished granite rather than the white or crystalline look that many visitors may expect. It was such fun and an amazing thing to experience! 🙂
The mine was very beautiful and even picturesque! The most impressive being the Chapel of St. Kinga. It was built from pure rock salt and crystals as Wieliczka salt miners of the olden days have mastered the art of rock salt sculpture. It is such a magnum opus with many salt crystal chandeliers that illuminate the intricately carved floor, with amazing bas relief and altars as proof of their extraordinary artistry. Its splendours make it the dreamland location for a Holy Mass, a wedding ceremony, a classical or religious music concert, located more than 100 metres deep underground. It is so big it can accommodate 400 people in total! The Chapel of St. Kinga is, indeed, the crown jewel of the Wieliczka Salt Mine and the miners’ pride.
Chapel of St. Kinga, Wieliczka Salt Mine
Chapel of St. Kinga, Wieliczka Salt Mine
Chapel of St. Kinga, Wieliczka Salt Mine
Then we went to different other chambers with many life- size or larger statues and watched a film feature about the salt mine. There’s even a classical music played on one of the subterranean lakes- Chopin’s Etude in E Major Op. 10, No. 3, it was so touching and poignant. And inside the mine are numerous souvenir shops, restaurants and even a hotel!
To get back to the outside world, an old- school mining elevator will bring you up all cramped together with other tourists inside, making you feel like you’re one of the miners getting back to their homes from a day of handwork, as the importance of salt during the medieval age was universal. It was an exciting ride, I have to admit!
Wieliczka Salt Mine is, no wonder, one of the symbols of Poland and is treasured of its great significance in human history!
Michałowice Chamber
Inside Wieliczka Salt Mine
Going down deep inside the earth!
Inside Wieliczka Salt Mine
Sculptures inside Wieliczka Salt Mine
mountaingorillaboy 