Kamila 2
30 Jul 2007 / #1
The "Wieliczka" salt mine is considered to be the oldest working salt mine in Europe . When I visited there in June I didn't have any doubt in my mind why UNESCO put this unique phenomenon on the list of one of the World Cultural Heritage monuments. Imagine an extraordinary underground with a labyrinth of huge chambers, incredible passageways and all crafted entirely out of salt. Impressive huh?
Now on to the facts. The "Wieliczka" salt mine is 700 years old. The first extraction of salt in the mine occurred during the second half of the XIII century. As the extraction process lasted over centuries, the result was the creation of an enormous network of rooms and tunnels. It is estimated that all this stretches to the depth of 327 m with 300 km of tunnels spreading all around the mine.
Today, tourists can descend the three level route that covers approximately twenty chambers. Some of them include The Sielec Chamber, which portrays the hard work of horses that started to be used for salt extraction in the XVII century. Another very impressive chamber is The Pieskowa Skala Chamber whose main attraction is stairs hammered in the salt which were used by miners to carry the salt. The mine also has something for kids as The Chamber of Dwarves portrays the little helpers that, according to the legend, used to serve as the guards of the treasure - meaning salt.
While speaking about the chambers, I cannot omit the most popular and largest chamber of all in the mine, as well as in the world which is St Kinga's Chapel (54 meters in length and 10 to 12 meters in height). The entire chamber is made of salt starting from the floor, continuing to the altars and statues depicting St Mary or Pope John Paul II to name but a few. As surprisingly as it may sound, as the chamber resembles a subterranean church, it serves as a banquet hall for numerous wedding ceremonies that take place here. There is nothing like getting married 135 m (443 ft) below the surface. Apart from that, conferences, concerts and many more events take place in the chamber as well.
The descent to these spectacular views is by wooden stairway that takes you first to the first level of the mine - 65 meters down and ultimately ends 135 meters down in St Kinga's Chamber mentioned above. The museum is also located at the lowest level. The museum exhibits the entire history of this incredible mine.
Because of how far underneath the ground you are, it is necessary to take a lift back to the surface. Since there are numerous twists and turns leading up to the lift, it is necessary to be accompanied by a tour leader. Once there, you are separated in groups of 8 as each compartment of the lift can only contain that number. After the approximately 24 people are inside, it is a short thirty seconds before you can once again see daylight.
Here is also some helpful information before you decide to go. Wieliczka is a favorite destination for many tour groups so expect large crowds, especially in the summer months. The duration of the two is two hours and because of the popularity of the mine, which draws visitors from all of Europe and beyond, you can take a tour in any language imaginable. Languages offered include English, French, German, Spanish, Russian or even Japanese. Be prepared for a long walk, be sure to duck down low if you are tall as the ceilings of the mine can be rather low and take a warm sweater or jacket to prevent from getting cold. Have fun in the mine.
Now on to the facts. The "Wieliczka" salt mine is 700 years old. The first extraction of salt in the mine occurred during the second half of the XIII century. As the extraction process lasted over centuries, the result was the creation of an enormous network of rooms and tunnels. It is estimated that all this stretches to the depth of 327 m with 300 km of tunnels spreading all around the mine.
Today, tourists can descend the three level route that covers approximately twenty chambers. Some of them include The Sielec Chamber, which portrays the hard work of horses that started to be used for salt extraction in the XVII century. Another very impressive chamber is The Pieskowa Skala Chamber whose main attraction is stairs hammered in the salt which were used by miners to carry the salt. The mine also has something for kids as The Chamber of Dwarves portrays the little helpers that, according to the legend, used to serve as the guards of the treasure - meaning salt.
While speaking about the chambers, I cannot omit the most popular and largest chamber of all in the mine, as well as in the world which is St Kinga's Chapel (54 meters in length and 10 to 12 meters in height). The entire chamber is made of salt starting from the floor, continuing to the altars and statues depicting St Mary or Pope John Paul II to name but a few. As surprisingly as it may sound, as the chamber resembles a subterranean church, it serves as a banquet hall for numerous wedding ceremonies that take place here. There is nothing like getting married 135 m (443 ft) below the surface. Apart from that, conferences, concerts and many more events take place in the chamber as well.
The descent to these spectacular views is by wooden stairway that takes you first to the first level of the mine - 65 meters down and ultimately ends 135 meters down in St Kinga's Chamber mentioned above. The museum is also located at the lowest level. The museum exhibits the entire history of this incredible mine.
Because of how far underneath the ground you are, it is necessary to take a lift back to the surface. Since there are numerous twists and turns leading up to the lift, it is necessary to be accompanied by a tour leader. Once there, you are separated in groups of 8 as each compartment of the lift can only contain that number. After the approximately 24 people are inside, it is a short thirty seconds before you can once again see daylight.
Here is also some helpful information before you decide to go. Wieliczka is a favorite destination for many tour groups so expect large crowds, especially in the summer months. The duration of the two is two hours and because of the popularity of the mine, which draws visitors from all of Europe and beyond, you can take a tour in any language imaginable. Languages offered include English, French, German, Spanish, Russian or even Japanese. Be prepared for a long walk, be sure to duck down low if you are tall as the ceilings of the mine can be rather low and take a warm sweater or jacket to prevent from getting cold. Have fun in the mine.