Wieliczka Salt Mine

Wieliczka Salt Mine, ancient and massive salt mine in Wieliczka, Poland, near Kraków. It is one of the oldest documented salt-manufacturing sites in Europe. Though salt had been produced from brine springs since Neolithic times, rock salt was first discovered in Wieliczka in the 13th century, when the first shafts were dug, and it was mined continuously from then until 1996. By the 15th century, the mine was already so renowned that tourists came to visit the tunnels, and it was listed as a World Heritage site in 1978.

Though the salt produced from the mine became a major contributor to Poland’s economy within two centuries, it reached its highest production only in the 20th century. By that time the mine had come to spread over nine levels, reaching a depth of 1,073 feet (327 m) below the surface. It includes some 2,500 chambers, as well as more than 152 miles (245 km) of galleries and corridors, 26 surface shafts, and around 180 shafts connecting caverns across its nine levels. In addition, the mine contains chapels, sacred artworks, and statues sculpted in salt by local miners, as well as salt lakes on which it is possible to row in small dinghies. Much of the first three levels is now open to visitors, while miners continue to work to preserve the mine.

Of the several chapels in the mine, the oldest preserved is the Baroque St. Anthony Chapel, created between 1690 and 1710. In addition to its altars and many detailed bas-reliefs, the chapel is also home to several freestanding statues carved from salt blocks, including those of the Virgin Mary and St. Anthony of Padua, the patron saint of ore miners. The largest chapel is that of the patron saint of salt miners, St. Kinga. Work began on the chapel in 1896 and continued sporadically until 1963. It is completely carved from salt, from floor to ceiling, including the altar and other decorations, the most remarkable being the large chandeliers made from salt crystals that were adapted for electricity.

Various other chambers are dedicated to religious and Polish historical figures. One delightful chamber contains carved figures of gnomes imitating miners at work, in a playful nod to the efforts of the miners and also to Polish folklore.