Salt digger Wieliczka in Poland

Poland is a country in Central Europe with a rich heritage. The main attraction of the small town of Wieliczka is the salt mine. The Wieliczka Salt Mines are the only mining facility in the world. Unique workings located at a depth of 327 meters - slopes, underground chambers, lakes, mines - with a total length of 300 km make it possible to see the development of mining technology in different historical periods.

Historical background of the Wieliczka Salt Mine

The salt mine began to function by the decree of King Casimir I in 1044. At first, it was possible to extract salt by cooking, through the evaporation of water. Some salt monoliths have been found on the surface.

By the 12th century, the monoliths on the surface had completely dried up and wells had to be dug out. In the process, the diggers found a monolith underground, which marked the beginning of underground mining.

In 1368, King Casimir the Great issued a decree, which dealt with the principles of the salt digging operations. Even then, the foundations of accounting were laid - the price of extraction and sale of salt was formed.

In the 16th century, salt mines were the largest production in Europe. Royal management of the salt mines ended after the first partition of Poland in 1772.

With the arrival of the Austrians, who received a part of Poland together with the city of Wieliczka, the period of development of mining began. Experts began to improve the technical condition of the digging, all the work was mechanized.

In 1912, a mechanized salt pan was installed on the surface, which today, with minor modifications, produces evaporated salt.

The interwar period is also characterized by the active development of digs as a production facility.

During the occupation by Hitler, the production of salt increased significantly, an attempt was made to build a military factory in underground mines. However, the ill-conceived activity led to the disruption of the balance of rocks.

In 1992, salt mining stopped, Wieliczka became an excursion site for tourists.

Wieliczka Salt Mine: description

Today, the salt mines have nine levels with a total length of about 300 km. The depth of one of the levels reaches 198 meters, which is approximately equal to the height of a 73-storey building.

In the 15th century, tourists began to be allowed into the salt mine, but for this it was necessary to obtain a special permit from the royal court. At the beginning of the twentieth century, a quota was introduced for the simultaneous visit of the mine - up to 100 people. Guests were greeted with honors, a live orchestra played.

The duration of the excursion is up to 2.5 hours.

Nowadays, during the entire excursion, you will have to walk 3.5 kilometers and see firsthand how the technologies of salt extraction have changed, as well as admire all the sights - from lakes to chapels made of salt. The most beautiful is the chapel of St. Kinga - the patroness of the mine.

The dimensions of the salt rooms are breathtaking: the height of the rooms is 12 meters, the width is up to 18 meters, and the length is 54 meters. The temperature in the copal is kept at around + 14-16 degrees. The ventilation works well and provides a constant supply of fresh air.

The healing properties of salt have been proven long enough, so the salt mine began to be used as a resort. In Wieliczka there is a mini-hotel underground, where you can stay overnight and improve your health. Those who wish are lowered at 20.00, raised at 7.30, and in the interval there is silence, peace and sleep. The inn also has a jogging track and reading room.

Opening hours and excursions for tourists

The tourist route consists of 23 cameras located on three different levels. Down you need to go down 800 steps. To get to the first level, you need to go down 380 steps. The depth at the first stage is 64 meters.

At the beginning of the excursion program, tourists are transported to the mine using the Danilovich mine shaft, which was extended in the 1640s, when Nikolai Danilovich was in power. The barrel was intended for transporting salt to the surface, but from the 19th century until today it has been used for employees and tourists.

At the first level, travelers will see:

Gradually, vacationers get to the second level, where the pearl of the dig is located - the acting chapel of St. Kinga. Miner Jozef Markovsky worked on its creation. The construction area is 465 square meters (11 m high, 16.5 m wide and 54 m long).

The famous sculpture of Pope John Paul II also stands at this level. All sculptures were created by the famous Polish master Stanislav Anel.

After overcoming two levels, tourists will have a short rest, then the group is sent to the third level. There is a lake with a perimeter of about 200 meters. Of great interest is the inspection of the vertical chamber "Sauru" and others. The tour of the Wieliczka Mine ends in the Staszic chamber. Those interested can buy souvenirs and dine at the Miner's restaurant.

Tourists are taken upstairs by elevator.

Inspection of the salt mine takes place with a guide. A group consisting of a maximum of 35 people is lowered down. Those who wish to get inside meet at the front door and wait for others. The wait lasts up to an hour.

When the required number of people gathers, the excursion begins. The language of the excursion is not only Polish. During the peak season, July and August, almost every 1.5 hours, individual excursions in English are organized.

Three guided tours run daily in Italian, German and French. Since 2005, you can also choose an excursion in Russian, since in recent years Russian-speaking tourists have made up the majority of all visitors.

The exact timetable is available on the official page. The museum website provides information on tickets and timetables, as well as information on the number of remaining tickets for a specific time.

Opening hours - from 7.30 to 19.30. To minimize the cost of a guide, you do not need to take, just buy a Russian guide.

If you buy tickets for both routes, it will be cheaper: a tour in Polish for a family will cost 267 euros, the cost of a full ticket is 99 euros, and a reduced ticket is 72 euros. An excursion program in another language for a family will cost 405 euros, a full ticket for one adult - 155 euros, a reduced ticket - 115 euros.

Healing properties of the Wieliczka mine

The mine has a specific microclimate, there are no allergens - irritating factors that affect the body. Local treatment is recommended for those who have chronic diseases of the pulmonary tract, pollen allergy, inflammation of the nose and sinuses, throat and larynx, bronchial and allergic asthma, chronic bronchitis.

For some skin diseases (eczema and non-communicable diseases) and metabolic disorders (obesity), a course of treatment in a salt mine is also prescribed.

In Wieliczka, subterraneotherapy is used - a method of balneological treatment, which involves many hours of staying in the microclimate of salt caves under the supervision of doctors.

A special microclimate is provided due to bacteriological purity, high humidity level (from 74 to 90%) and a high content of sodium chloride.

The treatment center provides exercises to control, correct breathing, teach abdominal breathing, train the respiratory muscles, as well as procedures that cleanse the bronchi.

An outpatient course of treatment for a certain period and prices are shown in the table.

Overnight in Wieliczka

Sleeping well in this microclimate strengthens the immune system and relieves allergy sufferers' symptoms. Silence and tranquility guarantee complete peace and provide an opportunity to relax both mentally and physically. You can spend the night here in the Slovakian cell or in the Stables of the Eastern Mountains.

The Slovacki Chamber is located at a depth of 125 meters and offers a unique complex for recreation and lodging. The services can be used by those who attend a tour of the mine.

The Stable Chamber of the Eastern Mountains is the place where horses stood in the 20th century, which participated in the extraction of salt. Later, a kind of hotel was made from this chamber.

The program in the Wieliczka mine

The sanatorium offers complexes of quick healing methods aimed at the rehabilitation of tourists.

In a salt mine, you can even organize an event in a conference room or get married in the midst of salt build-ups. Every day the salt mine encourages walks, during which it is easy to find new places for photos.

Route to Wieliczka

The city of Wieliczka is located 10 km southeast of Krakow. There are three ways to get to Wieliczka: buy a train or bus ticket, or drive your own or rented car.

Other attractions

Although Wieliczka is a small town, there are many interesting places to visit besides the salt mine.

Conclusion

The city of Wieliczka in Poland is a unique place worth visiting for everyone. In 2021, workers are ready to welcome new tourists and will be happy to show the memorable places of the salt mine. Those who wish can choose an interactive route or even stay overnight.