Wieliczka Salt Mine: A UNESCO World Heritage Site
One of the Kraków Salt Mines is located in the town of Wieliczka and is one of Poland’s most popular visitor locations. Since 1978 Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Wieliczka Salt Mine is listed for its historical and artistic value and has been in operation for over 700 years. This special location is an amazing place to visit as a day trip from Kraków.
Wieliczka Salt Mine is the world’s oldest salt mine that is still in operation, the second-largest salt mine in the world, after the Solvay Mine in Belgium, and has over 2,000 chambers and tunnels, which extend for over 300 kilometres. It is estimated that the mine contains over 300 million tons of salt.
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A brief history of Wieliczka Salt Mine
The Wieliczka Salt Mine was discovered in the 13th century by a local named Dominik Saltar, who was digging a well for his wife. When he hit a layer of salt, he realized that he had found something special. The mine was quickly developed, and it soon became an important source of salt for the region.
The mine was originally called the “Salt Mountain,” and it was used to produce salt for centuries. In the 15th century, the mine began to be used for other purposes, such as the storage of wine and beer. In the 16th century, the mine began to be used as a place of pilgrimage, and several chapels were built inside the mine.
The mine became a tourist attraction in the 19th century when the first tourist route was opened with the miners as guides. Even today the guides of the past are remembered in the uniforms worn by the guides that are modelled on the miner’s work clothes.
The mine was in full operation until the 1990s when exploration was stopped due to falling salt prices and to preserve the mine’s historical artefacts from the increasing risk of flooding. The mine still produces 68 tons of salt each year that is sold locally.
What to see at Wieliczka Salt Mine
Wieliczka Salt Mine has been in continuous operation since the 13th century and over that time the miners have added their own details to the crystal-covered walls.
The mine extends 327 meters below ground and there is over 287km of passages and chambers. There are beautiful statues, ornate chapels, and alters all carved by the miners.
Even the salt floors of the tunnels are beautiful with the crystal structures being visible against a bright light. During a visit, the guides are keen to show the beautiful crystal structures that can be seen and even encourage visitors to lick the walls and taste the salt!
There are a number of different tours of the mine and these cater to all sorts of different interests. The tourist route is the most popular, while the miner’s route is more of an adventure and explores the life of the miner.
The Tourist Route
The tourist route is the most common way to explore the salt mine and starts from the Daniłowicz shaft by the main visitors centre.
The route starts with 350 steps that spiral down to 135 meters. The 47 floors are counted down until you enter the first chamber of the mine, ‘The Bono’ which is 64 meters below the surface.
The route tells the story of the mine with carvings and tableaux of the major moments in the history of the mine including the legends and ancient history surrounding the area. As early as the Neolithic period the people living in the area were aware of the salt in the water supply and this led to legends building about the area.
The route covers 3km of corridors and a total of 800 steps which are supported in places by pale wooden supports. These are coated in a mixture of brine and lime to prevent them from rotting in the underground environment. The smell of damp wood adds to the sensory experience of being in the dark corridors of the mine.
What is the Chapel of St Kinga Like?
At the end of the tunnels is the stunning Chapel of St Kinga. This is the only underground church in Europe and is decorated with chandeliers and murals depicting biblical events. The bas-reliefs include a copy of Da Vinci’s Last Supper and scenes from the nativity. The chandeliers are the first thing you will see as you enter the chapel from above and are made of glass-like salt crystals. Steps sweep down into the chapel with an altar carved from salt in an intricate design.
On the way to the final chamber, the route passes a small brine lake which is saltier than the Dead Sea. To reach the bottom of the lake a huge amount of ballast would be needed to make you sink.
The final chamber, the Stanislaw Stasiz Chamber is the deepest in the mine at 135 meters and has been the site of the world’s first bungee jump and indoor hot air balloon flight.
At the end of the three-hour tour, a lift whisks you to the surface in 45 seconds. Far quicker than attempting the 800 steps to the surface.
Exploring Wieliczka Town close to the mine
The mines are located in the small town of Wieliczka which is a pretty wander if you have time to spare. As well as the Graduation Tower, Saltworks Castle and Town Square there is St Clement’s Church, a Franciscan Monastery and an underground Health Resort on the edge of the mine
Graduation Tower
The Graduation Tower is close to the mine entrance and is a 22-metre-high observation tower. From the top, it is possible to see the mine shafts and St Kinga Park. This can be seen from the mine buildings across the park and is an easy walk.
Saltworks Castle
A short distance from the Regis and Daniłowicz shafts is the castle where the administration of the mines was carried out. The castle was the location from where the Wieliczka and Bochnia mines as well as the saltworks, workshops and warehouse were organised and managed.
Town Square
The town square was listed as a historical monument in 1994 and is an easy walk from the salt mine. Small cafes surround the main square and bronze sculptures of the miners can be seen in one corner.
Where is Wieliczka Salt Mine?
The Kraków salt mine is located in a small town called Wieliczka which is 14km south of Kraków.
It can be reached easily by taxi from the centre of Kraków or there is a range of tours that can be taken. The journey time is about 20 minutes.
The town can also be reached by bus or train with the journey taking 20-45 minutes depending on the time of day and the route. Tickets cost around 4zł and are purchased on board the bus.
Tours to Wieliczka Salt Mines
The mines can only be explored with an official guide and they are not suitable for children under 10. The tours take three hours and involve a lot of walking and steps.
There are lots of tours available that include the bus transfer from Kraków and entry into the mines. These tours can be combined with a trip to Auschwitz although this is a very long day.
Visit the mine website to book tickets directly, but remember you will need to make your own travel arrangements.
Are the salt mines worth visiting in Kraków?
The Wieliczka Salt Mines in Kraków are definitely worth visiting. They can be visited on a short half-day trip away from the city or added to a longer tour and combined with a trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau. They are so unusual you will find them being one of your favourite places on a city break in Kraków.
Wieliczka Salt Mine summary
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is a historic salt mine located in the town of Wieliczka, about 15 kilometres south of Kraków, Poland. It is one of the oldest and largest salt mines in the world, having been in operation since the 13th century.
The mine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its beautiful underground chapels and chambers, which are carved entirely out of salt. The most famous of these is the Chapel of St. Kinga, which is decorated with intricate salt sculptures.
The mine is also home to a number of other attractions, including a museum, a restaurant, and a hotel. Visitors can take guided tours of the mine, which last for about 2 hours.
- Daniłowicza 10, 32-020 Wieliczka
- Find on Google Maps
- Visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine Website
- Book tickets
