Wieliczka Salt Mine influences capital of scotland – Wieliczka, southern Poland, which lies inside Krakow metropolitan area. From the Neolithic times, table salt was produced here through the upwelling brine.
Nowadays, the mine never extracts salt by mining because extraction stopped in 1996. Salt is still made out of underground brine, it’s then pumped on the surface and transformed into pure evaporated salt.
The mines are actually the 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.
Find out about Wieliczka Salt Mine of these top fascinating facts.
1. Wieliczka Salt Mine has ended 700 Years
The historical past in the Wieliczka Salt mine extends back on the thirteenth century. Brine following up to the surface have been collected and processed for its sodium chloride content.
King Casimir II the truly amazing contributed greatly towards the progression of the Wieliczka Salt Mine. This granted the mines many privileges and that he took the miners under his protection.
Within the time of the mine’s running, many chambers were dug as well as technologies were added, for example the Hungarian horse treadmill. During The second world war, the Germans used the mine as a possible underground facility for war-related manufacturing.
2. The majority of the Mine Interior is made from Salt
This can be a salt mill, after all. Most tunnels have walls, floors, roofs, and even crystal decorations and statues carved in salt. Once you look at the mines, you’ll be able to touch something to feel.
There are wooden beams inside the tunnels, and so are the many sculptures and reliefs throughout the mine. The wood was adopted to shield the walls and ceilings manufactured from salt, which is why there was no forest near Wieliczka within the 15th century.
There are most stunning crystals hanging from numerous chandeliers within the mine. They look like glass but are actually giant salt crystals from rock salt that were dissolved and reconstructed.
3. Wieliczka is Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site
In 1978, the Wieliczka Salt Mines in Poland was classified by the UNESCO World Heritage list plus the historic city centre of Krakow. It can be among the oldest mines on the planet.
The oldest document confirms its existence goes back 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 is the only one with the underground church in Europe.
One of the chapels was the Chapel of St. Kinga, essentially the most impressive section of the salt mines. It took control of thirty years for three men to finish the chapel removing approximately 20,000 tonnes of salt.
Holy masses are performed even now on the occasion from the name day of St. Kinga and yuletide. Additionally there is a large salt statue in honour of St. Kinga, where one can also see a lot of the chandeliers making use of their rock salt crystal.
5. In The Middle Age, Wieliczka Salt Mining Generated one third of Poland’s Income
The income from salt mining taken into account a third in the earnings of the royal treasury in Poland. Salt was considered a noble metal and was called “White gold”.
In that time, many transactions were paid using salt and work, which is why nowadays, the term “salary” can be used to explain earnings.
On account of salt income, tenement houses and royal residences were built. This made a fortune for families with names growing out of salt.
6. The Mines have numerous Unique Machinery and Structure
You can find the world’s largest mining machines made from wood, a horse treadmill from the 17th century as well as the horn of miners through the miner’s brotherhood from 1534. From the 17th century, the initial horse was brought to the salt mine.
The few things from the mine that weren’t made from salt were buckets, winches, mining tools and some sculptures manufactured from wood. Salt is an excellent preservative and several tools and apparatus remain in good condition.
7. Heat Ballooning and Bungee Jumping Have Happened inside the Mine
A warm air balloon was lifted 65 feet up for four minutes in 2014. However, there is no proof of that online outside the website.
Also, sporting activities happened inside the mines, including soccer games and windsurfing on Subterrain Lake. Some areas can be hired out for formal dinners, weddings, and in many cases concerts.
8. The Mine is Deep
The best the main mine is 1073 feet below ground as well as the total length of the mine tunnel is 178 miles.
Easy and simple option to the mines is the tourist route, which lets you understand the beauty of the mine and the most significant parts of it. The gap is 3.5 kilometres as well as the depth you will reach is 135 meters.
Most rocks from the mine possess a dull grey look; however, in a few 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 compilation of film music by Polish composer Zbigniew Preisner was recorded by Sinfonia Varsovia from the Wieliczka mines chapel. Also, in 1999 in the usa, the Wieliczka Salt Mine was featured inside a Modern Marvels episode on salt mines.
In the Australian tv series Spellbinder: Land in the Dragon Lord, the mines were featured because Land from the Moloch. The mines also have appeared on multiple editions of an reality show; The astounding Race, The Amazing Race Australia 1 and others.
10. Breath Healthy Air On your Visit
The air inside Wieliczka salt mine costs nothing from bacteria, viruses and pollutants. A trip to them can relieve people struggling with respiratory diseases and allergies and in addition it helps cure a hangover.
For additional information about Auschwitz & Salt Mine tour check this popular internet page