Tag Archives: Wieliczka salt mines

Poland

Now that is a lot of salt

We went to the Wieliczka salt mines in Poland, which was an amazing thing to see. The salt mines are a major historical tourist site and were designated as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1978.

Ray and Shelley at the front of the entrance to the salt mines

We began our tour by walking down 720 steps into the depths of the mine. The staircase was made of wood and was a continuous square staircase. we were almost dizzy by the time we reached the base.

Wooden staircase down 720 steps into the depth of the salt mine.

When we reached the bottom our guide took us through some of the tunnels in the mine. Along the tunnels, we would reach separation doors which would require the door at the other end to be closed before another could be opened. This was due to the pressurized air which was being pumped in artificially.

Wooden cribs used to shore up the mine.

We walked through the tunnels of the mine and there were signs identifying time periods when the mine was active in that particular tunnel. We walked through the tunnels and eventually would come to a large cavern area carved out of the salt. In these areas, there were salt carvings which were very impressive and represented a story in history.

Salt carvings of the queen initiating the start of the salt mine in Poland.

We came to a large area which was carved out by the miners when they were not working the mine. They created a church in the heart of the salt mine. Each carving, statue, and staircase were created entirely in Salt. It became known as “the Underground Salt Cathedral of Poland“.

Staircase of salt leading to the church in the heart of the mine.

We walked down the salt staircase and were immediately in awe by the sheer beauty of the carvings. It was hard to imagine that the miners would carve these beautiful pieces of art, while on their own time after working the mine.

Salt statue of Pope John Paul II
Salt carving of Jesus and the last supper.
One of the many scenes carved in salt in the church
Salt carvings and altar in the salt mine church

The chandeliers were all made with salt and each one was unique which made them even more beautiful.

Salt crystals carved into a chandelier
Salt chandelier

We stopped at one point to quietly admire the beauty of the carvings. It was a surreal feeling to be in an entirely made church of salt.

Shelley and Ray in the Salt church in the heart of the salt mine in Poland.

We then walked through several kilometers of tunnels which would open up into amazing sites. There was a “salt lake” which contained so much salt that items would not sink.

We also saw some huge rooms which contained banquet halls and restaurants all underground in the salt mine.

Hallway in the salt mine leading to the restaurant and lounge area.
restaurant area in the salt mines.

The tour of the Wieliczka salt mine was an amazing site. It was an extraordinary experience walking in the depths of the mine seeing carvings from hundreds of years ago made completely in salt.

“do widzenia i dobry dzień”