The Wieliczka Mines, An Underground Paradise
There are always wonderful adventures for those brave capable of traveling this wonderful planet that human beings have transformed into their image and likeness. The option we propose is a getaway to an incredible corner of the Polish city of Krakow, there are the impressive Wieliczka mines, an absolutely amazing place.
The Wieliczka mines are located in a city of the same name, but they belong to the metropolitan area of the famous Krakow. This is one of the great cities of Poland that stands out for its enormous beauty and history.
So, if you want to join famous people who have already honored the Wieliczka mines, such as the case of Nicolás Copernicus, Bill Clinton, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Pope John Paul II or Alexander von Humboldt, follow us and we will tell you the stories. secrets of the Wieliczka mines.
What the Wieliczka mines are like
The Wieliczka mines are primarily a large source of table salt, which has been continuously mined from the cavities of its caves from the 13th century to the present day. However, although their commercial exploitation continues today, they are also open to the public, who can even access one of its most famous rooms, the Chapel of Santa Kinga.
These Wieliczka mines reach a depth of more than 300 meters and since they began to be excavated to the present day, they have exceeded 300 kilometers in length between cavities, caves and galleries that have been drilled by man.
However, the tourist route that is offered now does not allow to walk that enormous distance. However, you will need to be in good shape, as there are more than 3 kilometers that you will walk between chambers full of sculptures of historical and mythical figures and other wonders, all carved out of salt rock.
Among the curiosities of the Wieliczka mines are their use as a silo and a war warehouse throughout World War II ; its importance in the famous novel Pharaoh by Boleslaw Prus, of 1895; or its conversion into a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.
On a route through the Wieliczka mines
If you are brave enough to go to Krakow and take a tour of the more than 3 kilometers of tourist route through the Wieliczka mines, get ready to enjoy a fantastic adventure through the secrets of this unique place in the world.
The tourist route enabled for visitors to the place has a depth of 135 meters under the ground, which involves a walk through more than 800 steps. More than 40 million people have already known the place, will you be the next?
A tour through tortuous caves that begins at the Danilowicza well, in which you will learn the secrets of a unique place that has given rise to the legend of Santa Kinga. According to popular history, she was the one who brought salt to Polish lands because of the enormous wealth of having a mine of this much-needed product.
It is no coincidence that halfway through the route you reach the famous Chapel of Santa Kinga, where true works of art made of salt rocks are located. It even allows you to marvel at an incredible brine lake on which light shows are performed along with music by the immortal Fyderyk Chopin.
The itinerary also has quite incredible surprises to be inside a deep cave. For example, the underground tavern, between whose walls you can taste different typical dishes of the autochthonous gastronomy.
There is also access to the Krakow Salt Mines Museum, which hides many wonders from the history of the Wieliczka mines. The aurochs horn framed in silver from 1534 stands out, symbolizing the Fraternity of the Barreteros.
In total, there are more than 20 cameras that over 3 hours will leave more than one visitor speechless by the magnificence of an incredible and unique place in the world through underground lakes full of salt rock statues and natural formations spectacular.
If you visit the Wieliczka mines, prepare comfortable shoes and a good dose of attention to learn each and every one of the secrets of one of the most striking and surprising places in Krakow.
