Wieliczka Salt Mine is within the town of Wieliczka, southern Poland, which lies inside the Krakow metropolitan area. From the Neolithic times, table salt was produced here from your upwelling brine.

Nowadays, the mine never extracts salt by mining because extraction stopped in 1996. Salt is still produced from underground brine, it is then pumped on the surface and become pure evaporated salt.

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

Find out more about Wieliczka Salt Mine of these best fascinating facts.

1. Wieliczka Salt Mine has ended 700 Years
A brief history in the Wieliczka Salt mine goes back on the thirteenth century. Brine following to the surface ended up collected and processed for the sodium chloride content.

King Casimir II the fantastic contributed greatly on the continuing 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 technologies were added, for example the Hungarian horse treadmill. During World war 2, the Germans used the mine as an underground facility for war-related manufacturing.

2. Almost all of the Mine Interior is made from Salt

This is the salt mill, after all. Most tunnels have walls, floors, roofs, and also crystal decorations and statues carved in salt. Once you check out the mines, you’ll be able to touch something to feel.

There are wooden beams within the tunnels, and so are the a large number of sculptures and reliefs around the mine. The wood was utilized to guard the walls and ceilings made from salt, and that’s why there wasn’t any forest near Wieliczka within the 15th century.

You’ll find most stunning crystals hanging from numerous chandeliers within the mine. They look like glass but they are actually giant salt crystals from rock salt which have been dissolved and reconstructed.

3. Wieliczka is Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site
In 1978, the Wieliczka Salt Mines in Poland was placed in the UNESCO World Heritage list plus the historic city centre of Krakow. It’s among the oldest mines on the globe.

The oldest document confirms its existence goes to 1044. The mine site also may include the Wieliczka Saltworks Castle as well as the nearby Bochnia Salt Mine.

4. The Mine Has for Chapels
The conditions in the mines weren’t the most effective. So, the miners created four chapels to wish in. The mine will be the only 1 by having an underground church in Europe.

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

Holy masses are finished today for the occasion from the name day of St. Kinga and yuletide. Additionally there is a large salt statue in honour of St. Kinga, where you can also see a portion of the chandeliers using rock salt crystal.

5. In the centre Age, Wieliczka Salt Mining Generated another of Poland’s Income
The income from salt mining included another from the income of the royal treasury in Poland. Salt was considered a noble metal and was called “White gold”.

During that time, many transactions were paid using salt and work, which explains why nowadays, the term “salary” can be used to describe earnings.

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

6. The Mines have numerous Unique Machinery and Structure
You’ll find the world’s largest mining machines created from wood, a horse treadmill from your 17th century and also the horn of miners from the miner’s brotherhood from 1534. Inside the 17th century, the very first horse was delivered to the salt mine.

The few things in the mine that weren’t created from salt were buckets, winches, mining tools and a few sculptures made from wood. Salt is a great preservative and several tools and apparatus are still in great condition.

7. Hot Air Ballooning and Horseriding Have Happened inside the Mine
A classy air balloon was lifted 65 feet off the floor for four minutes in 2014. However, there is absolutely no evidence that online outside their internet site.

Also, sports activities occured within the mines, for example soccer games and windsurfing on Subterrain Lake. Some areas can be hired out for formal dinners, weddings, as well as concerts.

8. The Mine is Deep
The minimum area of the mine is 1073 feet below ground and also the total entire mine tunnel is 178 miles.

The simplest approach to the mines could be the tourist route, which allows you to begin to see the appeal of the mine along with the most important aspects of it. The length is 3.5 kilometres and the depth you may reach is 135 meters.

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

9. The Mines Are already Featured in Culture
In 1995, Preisner’s Music, a compilation of film music by Polish composer Zbigniew Preisner was recorded by Sinfonia Varsovia inside the Wieliczka mines chapel. Also, in 1999 in the US, the Wieliczka Salt Mine was featured inside a Modern Marvels episode on salt mines.

Inside the Australian tv series Spellbinder: Land in the Dragon Lord, the mines were featured because the Land with the Moloch. The mines in addition have appeared on multiple editions of the reality show; The astounding Race, The astounding Race Australia 1 and others.

10. Breath Healthy Air During Your Visit
The environment inside Wieliczka salt mine is free from bacteria, viruses and pollutants. A visit to them can relieve people suffering from respiratory diseases and allergies looked after helps cure a hangover.

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