Wieliczka Salt Mine is within the capital of scotland- Wieliczka, southern Poland, which lies within the Krakow metropolitan area. In the Neolithic times, table salt was produced here from the upwelling brine.

Nowadays, the mine never extracts salt by mining because extraction stopped in 1996. Salt continues to be manufactured from underground brine, this will make it pumped towards the surface and become pure evaporated salt.

The mines are actually a state Polish Historical Monument along with a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its attraction includes four chapels, an underground lake, historic salt-mining and labyrinthine technology displays.

Learn more about Wieliczka Salt Mine during these top fascinating facts.

1. Wieliczka Salt Mine ends 700 Years
The history of the Wieliczka Salt mine extends back on the thirteenth century. Brine following up to the surface have been collected and processed due to the sodium chloride content.

King Casimir II the truly great contributed greatly for the growth and development of the Wieliczka Salt Mine. This granted the mines many privileges and the man took the miners under his protection.

Within the period of the mine’s running, many chambers were dug as well as other technologies were added, such as the Hungarian horse treadmill. During Wwii, the Germans used the mine just as one underground facility for war-related manufacturing.

2. A lot of the Mine Interior is constructed of Salt

This can be a salt mill, in the end. Most tunnels have walls, floors, roofs, and also crystal decorations and statues carved in salt. As soon as you visit the mines, it is possible to touch something to feel.

You will find wooden beams from the tunnels, and they are the dozens of sculptures and reliefs throughout the mine. The wood was applied to protect the walls and ceilings manufactured from salt, which is why there was no forest near Wieliczka from the 15th century.

There are most stunning crystals hanging from numerous chandeliers from the mine. They look like glass but are actually giant salt crystals from rock salt which have been dissolved and reconstructed.

3. Wieliczka belongs to a UNESCO World Heritage Site
In 1978, the Wieliczka Salt Mines in Poland was indexed by the UNESCO World Heritage list plus the historic city centre of Krakow. It really is one of the oldest mines on earth.

The oldest document confirms its existence goes to 1044. The mine site also includes the Wieliczka Saltworks Castle and also the nearby Bochnia Salt Mine.

4. The Mine Has for Chapels
The stipulations from the mines weren’t the very best. So, the miners created four chapels to hope in. The mine will be the only 1 having an underground church in Europe.

Among the chapels was the Chapel of St. Kinga, probably the most impressive section of the salt mines. It took control of 30 years for three men to complete the chapel removing approximately 20,000 tonnes of salt.

Holy masses are carried out even today around the occasion of the name day’s St. Kinga and xmas. Additionally there is a large salt statue in honour of St. Kinga, to also see several of the chandeliers using their rock salt crystal.

5. In The Middle Age, Wieliczka Salt Mining Generated another of Poland’s Income
The wages from salt mining accounted for one third in the salary of the royal treasury in Poland. Salt was considered a noble metal and it was called “White gold”.

During that time, many transactions were paid using salt and work, which explains why nowadays, the phrase “salary” is utilized to describe earnings.

As a result of salt income, tenement houses and royal residences were built. This created a fortune for families with names growing from salt.

6. The Mines have some of Unique Machinery and Structure
You will find the world’s largest mining machines made of wood, a horse treadmill in the 17th century and the horn of miners in the miner’s brotherhood from 1534. Within the 17th century, the first horse was brought to the salt mine.

The few things within the mine that weren’t made from salt were buckets, winches, mining tools and several sculptures created from wood. Salt is a superb preservative and lots of tools and apparatus remain in good shape.

7. Hot Air Ballooning and Horseriding Have Occurred inside the Mine
A classy air balloon was lifted 65 feet up for four minutes in 2014. However, there is absolutely no proof that online outside the website.

Also, athletics happened within the mines, such as soccer games and windsurfing on Subterrain Lake. Some areas could be hired out for formal dinners, weddings, and also concerts.

8. The Mine is Deep
The best the main mine is 1073 feet underground and also the total length of the mine tunnel is 178 miles.

The easiest approach to the mines will be the tourist route, which allows you to see the great thing about the mine and also the most significant areas of it. The length is 3.5 kilometres as well as the depth you will reach is 135 meters.

Most rocks in the mine have a very dull grey look; however, in some batches, the salts look fluffy white. The miners nicknamed this cauliflower.

9. The Mines Happen to be Featured in Culture
In 1995, Preisner’s Music, a selection of film music by Polish composer Zbigniew Preisner was recorded by Sinfonia Varsovia from the Wieliczka mines chapel. Also, in 1999 in the united states, the Wieliczka Salt Mine was featured inside a Modern Marvels episode on salt mines.

Within the Australian television series Spellbinder: Land in the Dragon Lord, the mines were featured because the Land of the Moloch. The mines have also appeared on multiple editions of an reality show; The astonishing Race, The spectacular Race Australia 1 and many more.

10. Breath Healthy Air During Your Visit
The air within the Wieliczka salt mine is provided for free from bacteria, viruses and pollutants. Visiting them can relieve people being affected by respiratory diseases and allergies you’ll take pride in helps cure a hangover.

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