The Wieliczka salt mine is the oldest mining enterprise in the world, which has been opened continuously since the 2nd half of the 13th century up to the present day. The Wieliczka salt mine is one of the most valuable monuments of material and spiritual culture in Poland. Each year, it is visited by more than one million tourists from all over the world. It is also a world class monument, featuring among twelve objects on the UNESCO’s World Cultural and Natural Heritage List.
During over 700 years, miners excavated here over 7.5 million cubic meters of rock salt, which led to the creation of 2040 chambers connected with over 245 kilometers of corridors and located over 9 levels. The excavation of rock salt with mining techniques stopped in 1996, but still the Wieliczka salt mine produces salt by evaporation of salty water up to the now naturally present underground; per year, about 10,000 tons of salt are still produced.
The Tourist Route is composed of chambers and corridors, saline and wooden chapels, and saline lakes. A walk along the route resembles not only an expedition into the depths of the Earth, but also a trip into the past. Mining machines, tools, traces of the ancient miners’ labour composes a thrilling adventure tale about the place and the people who created them during the past centuries. More sacral sites, and amongst them the amazing Chapel of St Kinga, form a unique – as it is the only one in Europe – underground pilgrim’s route “God Bless” (Szczęść Boże).
Those in favour of adventures or in search of excitement, addicted to adrenalin, fans of active recreation who just love to wipe sweat off their foreheads should definitely participate in the escapade called “Miner's Route”, which involves visiting the mine off the regular tourist route. The austere undergrounds provide magnificent views and awaken the dormant pioneer within you.
One would be mistaken to think that the underground Wieliczka is only what it once was in the past. On the contrary: today the Wieliczka salt mine combines many centuries of tradition and modernity, a history spanning several hundred years and an underground metropolis with an extensive infrastructure. The saline city is not apprehensive of novelty and in no way fearful of challenges awaiting in the future. Flights in a balloon in the Staszic Chamber, bungee jumping, boxing and football matches underground, contests for firemen, weddings and wedding celebrations, or a New Year’s eve ball - just about everything is possible in the mine!
The mine is also a place to rest and relax. In the first underground health resort in Poland, you can undergo treatment, participate in breathing exercises or even spend a night 135 meters under the ground surface. Those suffering from various respiratory diseases such as bronchial asthma, COPD, recurring infections of sinuses or throat and also allergies should consider spending time underground, in an environment isolated from external factors. The air in the Wieliczka salt mine is free from harmful radiation and pollutants: bacteria, fungi, dust, allergens; it is also rich in microelements and salt aerosol, maintaining a constant temperature and high humidity. The healing microclimate stimulates the immune system, and the high air purity allows the bacterial flora of the respiratory tract to regenerate, minimizing the risk of infection recurrence. The Wieliczka salt mine offers treatment services in the underground mining chambers that take advantage of the unique microclimate: an air free of pollution and allergens, rich in micronutrients, with a constant temperature, high humidity, and free from harmful radiation.
The Wieliczka salt mine is truly a mine filled with ideas. You can also organize a conference, huge banquettes, private meetings or an integration event.
For more information visit:
www.wieliczka-saltmine.com.
Text by Wieliczka salt mine
