The Wieliczka Salt Mine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its incredible history dates back to the Middle Ages. This makes it one of the most important places to visit in Poland.
Did you know that the Wieliczka Salt Mine is the most wondrous of salt mines? Poland invites tourists from around the world to discover this mysterious, underground kingdom! Mining works started in the 12th century, and continue today. Wieliczka is a one-of-a-kind place in the world, and one of the must-see places in Poland.
Its salty microclimate is an additional asset, and it has a positive effect on our health. So come to Wieliczka to experience its unforgettable views, adventure, history and medicinal properties!
Do you want to visit the most beautiful salt mine in the world? Poland and Wieliczka are waiting for you!
You can only experience a fraction of it by reading about the underground miracles or watching them on-screen. You may ask what the top destination is for salt mine adventurers. Kraków! Poland. It is a real paradise for underground tourism amateurs, and Wieliczka and Bochnia are one step away from the southern border of Kraków.
Apart from the tourist route, you can find the Kraków Saltworks Museum in Wieliczka. You can learn about the history of salt mining, the development of the salt industry, and the history of Wieliczka. A special mining route has been designed for the real adventurers. It requires a higher level of physical fitness and allows the visitors to act as real miners.
Why is Wieliczka one of the most important places to visit in Poland? Meet the 5 most interesting attractions of the mine!
The tourist route is about a 3 km underground walk around the chambers located 64-135 m below ground level. Each and every one of them is special, and you will learn more about their history from the guide. Pay attention to several unique and important places.
Casimir III the Great’s Chamber in the Wieliczka Salt Mine
Casimir III the Great’s Chamber was named after the Polish king who created the statute of the Kraków Saltworks. The chamber features the king’s bust and an original Saxon horse treadmill from the 18th century which was used for vertical transport. You can see the whole process on a special model.
St. Cross Chapel in the Wieliczka Salt Mine
St. Cross Chapel is the so-called ambulant chapel. The miners moved its furnishings to bring the chapel closer to their worksite in the mine. The chamber where the chapel is currently located dates back to the 19th century. The visitors can see the Baroque figures of the crucified Christ and Madonna of Victory. There are also interesting salt figures that are slowly melting year by year.
Józef Piłsudski’s Cave in the Wieliczka Salt Mine
The Józef Piłsudski’s Cave consists of 2 excavations connected by a tunnel. In the past, the bottom was flooded with brine, and boats were used to navigate the tunnel. Today, visitors can wonder at the sculpture of St. Jan Nepomucen, the patron of the drowning, and a statue of Marshal Piłsudski, who visited the mine in 1919. The wooden architecture of the chamber and the salt setting create a unique atmosphere!
St. Kinga’s Chapel in the Wieliczka Salt Mine
The St. Kinga’s Chapel which features St. Kinga’s relics is a real underground salt cathedral. Here, visitors can see real miracles - the floor, chandeliers, bas-reliefs, illustrating scenes from the Bible, figures and altars - everything is made of salt!
The salt lake in the Erazm Barącz’s Chamber in the Wieliczka Salt Mine
Did you know that the salt lake in the Erazm Barącz’s Chamber is 9 m deep? During your visit, pay attention to the salt pillar and the layers of salt on the walls that are 70-150 cm thick. They naturally protect the chamber from collapsing and are extremely impressive!
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is a unique spot on the map of Poland and Europe. Everyone coming to Kraków should visit Wieliczka too and discover the mysteries of the underground world of salt. The mysteries of the Wieliczka Salt Mine cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Plan your visit now!
Virtual 360 tour in Wieliczka Salt Mine
Gallery of the Wieliczka Salt Mine
Image credits: discovercracow.com
Mine timbers covered with salt
Image credits: discovercracow.com
Statues made of salt - How the work in the Salt Mine used to look like in the old days
Image credits: discovercracow.com
The salt lake in the Erazm Barącz’s Chamber in the Wieliczka Salt Mine
Image credits: discovercracow.com
Did you know that the salt lake in the Erazm Barącz’s Chamber is 9 m deep? During your visit, pay attention to the salt pillar and the layers of salt on the walls that are 70-150 cm thick. They naturally protect the chamber from collapsing and are extremely impressive!
Statues made of salt - St Kinga, Patron of the Mine
Image credits: discovercracow.com
St. Kinga’s Chapel in the Wieliczka Salt Mine
Image credits: discovercracow.com
The St. Kinga’s Chapel which features St. Kinga’s relics is a real underground salt cathedral. Here, visitors can see real miracles - the floor, chandeliers, bas-reliefs, illustrating scenes from the Bible, figures and altars - everything is made of salt!
Casimir III the Great’s Chamber in the Wieliczka Salt Mine
Image credits: discovercracow.com
Casimir III the Great’s Chamber was named after the Polish king who created the statute of the Kraków Saltworks. The chamber features the king’s bust and an original Saxon horse treadmill from the 18th century which was used for vertical transport. You can see the whole process on a special model.