Wieliczka is a small town 10 kilometers from Krakow, famous worldwide for its salt mines, which are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's definitely not the kind of place you visit often (although there are various routes to choose from), but it's definitely one you'll never forget. The taste of salt from the fountain is so authentic.
How often do you see underground chapels with salt chandeliers? I doubt it. The salt mines of Wieliczka are unique and worth your attention. Let me explain why.
Velichka has a population of around 20,000, but attracts a million tourists every year. The local mines were once the largest in Europe. They may have lost some of their scale, but they have retained their authenticity.
The total length of all underground corridors is about 300 kilometers. Obviously, only a small part, just 3.5 km, is accessible to tourists, but what a part!
How to get there?
The easiest way to get to Wieliczka from the center of Krakow is by train or bus. But as I already mentioned, the distance between the cities is only 10 kilometers, so you can also get there inexpensively by taxi.
When did mines appear?
Salt mining was carried out in the mines from the 13th to the 20th century. It is the only mining facility in the world that has been in continuous operation from the Middle Ages to the present day. As the tour guide, a Russian-speaking Pole, repeatedly emphasized, you will be lucky if he becomes your guide. Only free people worked in the mine, no slaves. In fact, it is impossible to enter the salt mines without an escort. But trust me, it will be an interesting and even slightly interactive lecture: you can try your hand at being a miner, operate various mechanisms, and taste the salt water from the spring. If you come with children, they will also enjoy it, as part of the route overlaps with the children's program.
How do I order a ticket?
The tourist route is currently open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tours are conducted in various languages, with Russian tours taking place daily at 1:45 p.m. For more information, please visit the official website. website, where you can also buy tickets, or directly at the ticket office. The ticket price for adults is PLN 116 (about €27), and PLN 86 for a tour in Polish.
What awaits you inside?
During the tour, you will see dozens of salt sculptures, bas-reliefs, underground lakes, and chapels. Various conferences, concerts, and sporting events are even held in the underground chambers. Couples get married there (it's expensive, but unusual).
Where you really need to be careful is on the first descent down the 380 steps to a depth of 64 meters—you will only reach the first level of the mine. You may feel dizzy, so it is recommended that you hold on to the handrails. But don't worry, you will be able to take the high-speed elevator back up.
The tour lasts about three hours, but after completing the tourist route, you will have plenty of free time until the mines close. You can take a leisurely stroll in the permitted area, look at the exhibits, have lunch at the "Shakhterskaya Karchma" restaurant, and buy souvenirs made of salt, including cosmetics and jewelry.
The temperature inside the mines never rises above +17 °C, so you won't need to take off your outer clothing. Small bags are also allowed. The only strict rule is no smoking. You will also be given a brief lesson in chemistry and explosives, which is an equally fascinating part of the tour.
What is there to see in the salt mines?
During your tour, don't miss Nicolaus Copernicus's camera with its huge statue of the astronomer made of salt.
You will also see St. Kinga's Chapel, a famous underground church dating back to the late 19th century.
Everything there is made of salt: a huge chandelier and several smaller ones, statues of saints, even a copy of "The Last Supper."
You will pass unique salt lakes with bright emerald water, which make for amazing photos.
Find the little dragon and her mother—kids will definitely love it, just like the exhibition featuring dwarf miners.
What routes are available?
In addition to the tourist mine, there is also a mining mine, and the two do not overlap. Therefore, the latter is usually chosen by those who want to get the most out of the salt mines. An underground salt labyrinth awaits you, as well as the most mysterious and inaccessible chambers and even a mini-quest, during which you will search for and extract salt yourself, control the atmospheric parameters in the mine, and perform other tasks from the tour guide. You will learn all the most interesting facts about the work of a miner, carpenter, and methane measurer. The ticket price and visiting conditions are the same as for the tourist route.
There is also a therapeutic cooling tower in the salt mines. You can visit it without a guide and purchase a single-visit ticket, although many locals go there for treatment. Salt is beneficial for the respiratory tract, so it is very useful for people with allergies, those who have had lung diseases, or children for preventive purposes to visit there.
What else is there in Velichka?
The city is not that big, but it's nice to wander around when the weather is good. There is a souvenir market, several bars and restaurants, parks, churches, museums, and hotels.
It is worth visiting St. Sebastian's Church. It is a wooden church located on a hill on the outskirts of the city. That is why few people visit it. But the building is interesting: wooden Gothic, 16th century.
Souvenirs
Being in Velichka and not buying salt souvenirs is a crime, especially since it is sold in all forms: in magnets and lamps. You can choose from therapeutic and spa cosmetics, various figurines, and soft toys with salt bags. Choose whatever you like best. You can buy souvenirs both in the city and in the mines themselves.
Velika is a city that divides people into two categories: some say it's a place to visit once, while others are ready to return and explore all the secrets of the medieval mines. Whichever category you fall into, your first visit will definitely impress you.
