Dominella Trunfio Wieliczka Salt Mine near Krakow features a stunning underground cathedral carved entirely from salt, UNESCO heritage site since 1978, attracting 38+ million visitors worldwide.
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If you’re visiting Krakow, a must-see destination on any tourist itinerary is the Wieliczka Salt Mine, home to the magnificent underground Cathedral that has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 1978. Active for over 700 years, this extraordinary mine represents one of Poland’s most fascinating treasures and has attracted over 38 million tourists from around the world.
History and structure of the mine
The mine consists of galleries and tunnels that extend for approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles) distributed across 9 levels, reaching depths of up to 327 meters (1,073 feet). For centuries, it was a source of wealth for Poland, and today it’s considered beneficial for treating chronic allergies, asthma, and other respiratory diseases thanks to saline vapor inhalation.
How to visit
There are two different routes to explore the mine: the tourist route, the most popular option, extends for 3.5 km (2.2 miles) and reaches a depth of 135 meters (443 feet). It offers a glimpse of the mine’s beauty and essential areas. Alternatively, the second route, known as the Miner’s Route, is 2 km (1.2 miles) long and reaches 101 meters (331 feet) in depth. It requires miner’s clothing and offers a unique mining experience similar to that of an actual miner.
The tourist route begins at the Daniłowicz Shaft and includes over 20 visitable chambers, framed by more than 800 steps – prepare to walk 800 steps to the mine’s deepest point: an adventure that involves more steps than climbing the Eiffel Tower!
A world made of salt
The mine is primarily made of salt. Except for some wooden elements, the mine’s interior, including walls, crystal decorations, and sculptures, is an extraordinary work of art made primarily of salt. Every corner tells a unique story, showcasing the artistic skills of miners and their attention to detail.
There are beautiful chambers carved in salt, bas-reliefs and statues distributed throughout the visitable halls, along with underground lakes with green waters and statues carved by miners.
The salt cathedral
The most extraordinary moment of the visit is encountering the Salt Cathedral, an enormous chapel decorated entirely with this mineral, from reproductions of works like the Last Supper to the Crucifixion and the Apparition of Christ to the Apostles.
Even chandeliers, floors, altars, columns, and sacred vestments are made entirely of salt in this church dedicated to Blessed Kinga, the patron saint of Polish miners to whom, according to legend, this land owes its saline wealth.
This was certainly no easy feat: to create it, it was necessary to remove 20,000 tons (44 million pounds) of salt over thirty years of work. The chapel often hosts concerts and art exhibitions as well as wedding ceremonies.
The museum
Of inestimable value is the collection of carts, machinery, and tools gathered in the Museum of Krakow Salt Works located 135 meters (443 feet) deep. Salt’s extraordinary preservation capacity has allowed various ancient mining tools and machinery to be maintained in surprisingly good condition, offering insight into the technological evolution of salt extraction.
The mine horses
Over the years, many horses were employed within the mine to transport carts containing salt. The animals spent most of their lives underground, and when they died, they were buried there, as their weight made it impossible to transport them to the surface. It’s surprising how the carts operated by these horses, preserved under salt, are still in operation today.
Therapeutic benefits and products
Beyond its historical significance, the Wieliczka Salt Mine is an unconventional healing place. The mine’s microclimate is believed to have therapeutic benefits, attracting tourists with respiratory disorders who want to try something different from usual therapies.
Wieliczka brine or sodium chloride mineral water is extracted from the mine’s depths and sold as a beneficial product for bathing and body care, offering a relaxing wellness experience at home.
Events and unique experiences
Not only can you take guided tours, but you can also participate in concerts, banquets, and conferences within the chapels and chambers. The space is pervaded by an aura of charm and sculptural beauty that lends itself perfectly to special events and meetings.
During the visit, visitors can listen to Chopin’s music that accompanies the entire experience, making this place truly unmissable and capable of providing evocative emotions.
