Just a short distance away from Krakow, at 10 kilometers, there is a unique place, the Wieliczka Salt Mines, one of the world’s oldest mines.

Salt mining in the Wieliczka began in 1280. At that time, the sales gains amounted to almost a third of the royal treasury. It was the largest production in the country, which, since the 15th century, attracted the curious Polish from all over the country. Even back then, the mines were not only a production line but also a tourist attraction.

The first “tourist” to visit the Wieliczka was Nicolaus Copernicus. According to a historical record, it happened in 1493. To honor this event, a salt monument to the famous astronomer was erected in the chamber of Nicolaus Copernicus several years ago. In 1774, there appeared a guest book in the mine. These valuable documents have survived to this day: you can use them to learn who came to Wieliczka and for what goal, varying from “to look at the smartly created interiors” to “to learn the secrets of mining skills.”

The mine operated per its designated purpose for a very long time. And both during the Partition of Poland and wars, the salt-making process did not stop here. Industrial production ceased only in 1992. It is now a unique maze of adits and underground tunnels, with a length of more than 350 kilometers. But now only a small part of them is open to tourists.

The entire complex includes some 2,000 chambers located on nine levels, the deepest of which is 327 meters.

All the mines are decorated with extraordinary sculptures, figurines, and bas-reliefs of solid rocks of salt. Some depleted chambers have become genuine masterpieces by the hands of masters who used them to create themed rooms.

The tour circuit includes a visit to 20 historic adits, located on three levels of the mine at a depth of 64 to 135 meters. During the walk, the guests of the Wieliczka can see the rooms and chapels with salt sculptures, among whom the most impressive is St. Kinga’s Chapel. You can admire the mine lakes and see the conditions in which, for centuries, people worked here.