Salt mines in Wieliczka and Bochnia are unique in every aspect. First of all, their existence dates back to Middle Ages. They are the oldest active salt mines in Europe! Secondly, the remarkable history of these places and unique beauty of the underground world delight visitors from all over the world. Wieliczka itself is visited by more than million tourists a year! In this context You probably understand, why both mines found their place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Today, we propose You a fantastic journey with Guide Krakow through the underground corridors and chambers of Wieliczka Salt Mine. Read carefully our entry and book the guided tour!
Brief history of Wieliczka Salt Mine
We should start our journey with a short introduction about the history of this region. Do you know how old are salt layers in Wieliczka? Well, some of them have even 15 million years! Men discovered these resources “only” ca. 5 thousand years ago (the oldest evidence of salt digging comes from ca. 3 thousand years B.C.). From that time till early Middle Ages local inhabitants brewed only this portions of salt that escaped form the ground brines. Then, under the rule of Piast Dynasty (in the 13th century), mines began to work.
Probably, You are not familiar with the legend about discovering salt layers in Wieliczka and Bochnia thanks to St. Kinga. She was a Hungarian princess, daughter of Bela IV and wife of Krakow prince, Boleslaw the Chaste. Kinga is famous for her piety and wisdom. When king Bela asked her what she would like to take as a dowry to Poland, she did not choose neither treasure nor beautiful gowns or service. She wanted to give her husband a truly unique gift – Hungarian salt mines! But how to transfer them to another country? Kinga knew exactly what she was doing – she dropped her engagement ring to the mine shaft in Hungary and after she came to Krakow, new salt deposits with a princess ring stuck into them were discovered in Wieliczka! It is a beautiful, hagiographic story, well-known in the local mining tradition for hundreds of years. Official Christian Cult of St. Kinga was announced in 17th century and she was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1999.
In fact, first mine shafts were hollowed in Bochnia, years before princess Kinga arrived – at the turn of the 12th and 13th century. Salt quickly became a main treasure of Krakow rulers from Piast Dynasty. Everybody used it to spice food and only a ruler had a right to trade it. So it was natural that every prince and king took special care of Wieliczka and Bochnia Salt Mines. Prince Henry IV the Right arranged even a bath for miners. But it was the medieval king Casimir the Great who created a hospital for miners and wrote a special Statute of Krakow Salt Works which regulated the legal aspect of mining and salt trade (it became a privilege of Polish monarchs).
Wieliczka Salt Mine guided tour – what (or who) can You see underground?
The lowest level of the mine is more than 300 meters beneath the earth (in contrary, the highest 9th level is slightly more than 60 meters below). Very impressive is also total length of Wieliczka mine sidewalks – more than 300 km!
Tourists can choose between several routes, eg. the main route (the most popular), route for mining lovers (very active, for those who want to try sightseeing with an pickaxe!), and the pilgrimage route through splendid underground chapels!
During mine visiting, You are going to see vast underground chambers, religious chapels and even lakes! We do not know anyone who have not been impressed after sightseeing. There is also a fantastic museum, partly situated in the gothic castle of former Krakow Salt Works commander. The exhibition shows old technologies of salt production, daily life of miners and their unique folklore (the rest of the exhibition is located below the ground). In one of the mine chambers you will meet a famous Treasure Keeper – ghost which guards legendary treasure. Extremely interesting is the exhibition about mining dangers and ways of avoiding them presented in the Burned Chamber. We love also the Weimar Chamber (the name comes from the city where lived Johann Wolfgang Goethe who visited the mine at the end of the 18th century) due to the picturesque salt lake. Shiny crystals of salt covers walls and shimmering green water of the lake and creates an amazing play of light and colors. Stanislaw Staszic’s Chamber (Chamber of Science and Technology) has also a unique story. During the World War II, the Nazis tried to build there an underground aircraft factory!
Extremely delightful are also Wieliczka underground chapels. During our sightseeing, You can visit even three of them! We will start from the oldest one – St. Anthony’s chapel with its amazing, Baroque interior. The largest and probably the most beautiful is St. Kinga’s chapel with an amazing salt furnishings and chandeliers made of salt crystals. Finally, You will see St. John’s chapel located 135 meters beneath the ground!
Going to Wieliczka Salt Mine, remember to take comfortable shoes and warm clothes, even on a hot day! You can visit the mine with Krakow Guide. We provide transport, tickets, guide and educational video during the bus transfer from Krakow.
