the wieliczka salt mine is in the suburbs of krakow, and was fascinating to see. it is a massive underground salt mine which has been in use for many hundreds of years, and one must take the guided tour to see the mine, which lasts over 2 hours. it involves descending thousands of feet, with many air locks and doors at different levels. the tour provides more information about salt mines than any person would ever need to know, but it is remarkable how much history is associated with this mine. in the middle ages salt was used as currency, and thus poland was very wealthy thanks entirely to this mine.
the mine is most famous for its underground chapel, including art work and chandeliers, all carved entirely from salt. the tour ends with an ascension in a small, mid-century miner’s elevator.
wooden beams help prevent collapse, and do not rot as bacteria cannot survive in the salt mine. wieliczka salt mine, polandunderground fires can and have occurred however, so many of the beams are painted with calcium fire-retardant. wieliczka salt mine, polandwieliczka salt mine, polandbust of king kazimierz, wieliczka salt mine, polandunderground chapel carved entirely from salt, wieliczka salt mine, polandchandelier carved entirely from salt, wieliczka salt mine, polandartwork carved from salt, wieliczka salt mine, polandartwork carved from salt, wieliczka salt mine, polandpope john paul II visited the underground chapel. wieliczka salt mine, polandunderground chapel carved entirely from salt, wieliczka salt mine, polandwieliczka salt mine, polandwieliczka salt mine, polandunderground lake, wieliczka salt mine, polandwieliczka salt mine, poland
