Wieliczka Salt Mine

Prefer sweet to salty? We think the Wieliczka Salt Mine can change your mind!

This extraordinary location boasts 7 centuries of history, 245km of hollowed out corridors, and is the perfect place to tour on your trip to Poland. Located in the town of Wieliczka, near Krakow, the Wieliczka Salt Mine, initially excavated in the 13th century, is one of the world’s oldest operating salt mines. It produced table salt continuously until 1996, and the rock salt, consisting of various shades of grey, has had many uses over the years. For one, it was used to build the Saltworks Castle. The castle was used to govern the mines, saltworks, workshops and warehouses around Wieliczka, and the foundation stone was set at the turn of the 14th century. There is an incredible exhibit of salt dispensers available to view in the castle, from all around the world, and the castle itself can be toured as well.

Throughout the years, many developments were undertaken in and around the Wieliczka Salt mine. King Casimir III the Great expanded the mine in the 1300s, and founded a nearby hospital. Many technological advances were implemented throughout the centuries, such as the introduction of the Hungarian horse treadmill, and by the late 1800s, machine drills were used in the mine. In WW2, the mine was used by occupying Germans as an underground manufacturing facility, and in 1978 it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is plenty of rich history to explore in the mine, and wonderful sights to see!

There are 26 shafts in the mine, and several hold hidden treasures. There are incredible carved statues to see, four chapels within the mine carved out of rock salt, and there is even an underground lake! The size of the mine is difficult to fathom; visitors only explore 2% of the mine! Around 2,500 hollowed chambers are in the mine, and they are all unique. There are two tours to choose from to explore the mine; tours are between 2 and 3 hours long and take you deep underground for an unforgettable experience. Admire incredible carvings and salt monuments within the mine as well as saline lakes and unique underground chambers, and learn about the history of mining and its tools! Just keep in mind, there are 9 levels in the mine, and the tours can lead you up and down around 800 steps! You might be producing some salt of your own by the end of that!

Maybe catch a bite to eat to replenish yourself? The underground Karczma Górnicza restaurant boasts traditional polish meals, such as pierogi, hunter’s stew, sour rye soup and more. There are even vegetarian options, salads and desserts! There is even the accompanying hotel near the mine, which has a wonderful sauna for you to unwind in.

The Wieliczka Salt Mine is an iconic piece of Polish history, and well worth your time to explore. Let us book a tour for you on your next trip to Poland!