The Wieliczka Salt Mine
Everybody was telling me that the Wieliczka salt mine was a great place. It is true that it is classified in the Unesco World Heritage List. But I did not want to go there alone, so I waited for some visitors. Finally, I went there yesterday with my brother Denis, who came for a week holiday with his family.
Archeoligical studies have shown that the salt exploitation started very early, first by evaporation of filtration water.
Different innovative tools are presented, to carry the salt minerals or to pump the water.
The second step is deeper, as deep as 90 meters. You can see there one of the 40 churches dug directly in the rock. Miners were very superstitious and needed religious support to fight against the ghosts of the mines...
It is interesting to see that there are different qualities of salt rocks. So many caves required heavy wooden frameworks.
Let's go a little further and we are now at the 128th meter under. The wonderful Kinga church is still used for ceremonies, masses and concerts.
Many religious scenes were executed all around.
The visit is going on and you can discover underground lakes (of which my pictures were too dark so not interesting). New galleries would be opened for visitors in close future.
Finally, after crossing the restaurant and souvenir shop, you can discover the wonderful reception room, which can be rented for any occasion. For fresh parties only, with its usual 14 degrees temperature...
Time to go up! Let's go to take the miners' lift. It is a small lift for 10 people only, so it is better eyou are not claustrophobic...
Wieliczka, a small city near Krakow, has the salt mine from the 11th Century. Nowadays, only infiltred water is treated.
Out of the 300km underground galleries, only 3 km could be visited. The first level is at the depth of 64 meters, which can be reached by hundreds of wooden stairs.
Out of the 300km underground galleries, only 3 km could be visited. The first level is at the depth of 64 meters, which can be reached by hundreds of wooden stairs.
At this level the Kinga legend is narrated. Kinga, a Hungarian princess, had to get married in the city of Krakow. Before leaving her country, she threw away a ring in a local salt mine. On the way, her husband to be met her in Wieliczka city. At this place, Kinga recommanded to dig the ground. It was done and not only salt was found, but Kinga's ring also!!!...
Here you can discover the first salt statues about that legend. All these sculptures were done by the miners during the last centuries.
Here you can discover the first salt statues about that legend. All these sculptures were done by the miners during the last centuries.
Archeoligical studies have shown that the salt exploitation started very early, first by evaporation of filtration water.
Different innovative tools are presented, to carry the salt minerals or to pump the water.
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The second step is deeper, as deep as 90 meters. You can see there one of the 40 churches dug directly in the rock. Miners were very superstitious and needed religious support to fight against the ghosts of the mines...
It is interesting to see that there are different qualities of salt rocks. So many caves required heavy wooden frameworks.
Let's go a little further and we are now at the 128th meter under. The wonderful Kinga church is still used for ceremonies, masses and concerts.
Many religious scenes were executed all around.
 |  |
 |  |
The visit is going on and you can discover underground lakes (of which my pictures were too dark so not interesting). New galleries would be opened for visitors in close future.
Finally, after crossing the restaurant and souvenir shop, you can discover the wonderful reception room, which can be rented for any occasion. For fresh parties only, with its usual 14 degrees temperature...
Time to go up! Let's go to take the miners' lift. It is a small lift for 10 people only, so it is better eyou are not claustrophobic...
To sum up, the site must be certainly visited. The visit takes around 2 hours. There are fixed time, as you are not allowed to go down alone, but with a guide only. A complementary exhibition presents also different mining techniques. This visit will be finally healthy, as the salty atmosphere is very good for breathing...
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