blog.category Sightseeing
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Kopalni Soli Wieliczka
If you think that all the best attractions can be found on the surface, the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine will certainly change your mind. One of the oldest and most beautiful sites of its kind in the world is a fascinating underground maze with galleries, majestic chambers and sparkling brine lakes. But how deep can one actually descend while looking for salt treasures? Let us delve deeper and venture on a journey to the depths of Earth to find out what awaits adventurous visitors coming to the unique UNESCO World Heritage site!
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The “Wieliczka” Salt Mine is a unique place - that much is certain. The winding galleries leading to numerous chambers of varying sizes make up a maze with a total length of 245 kilometres. The mine has nine levels in total - the deepest one could be found at the depth of 327 metres and has been shut down for a while now. How much can you see as a visitor?
While strolling along the underground galleries, you might feel as if the journey never ends. The areas available to visitors comprise only 2% of the entire mine area!
Are you wondering about how deep the salt mine goes and where you can end up during your tour? The most popular route in the mine ‒ the Tourist Route ‒ takes you to the depth of 135 metres underground This is the deepest spot in the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine available to visitors. The groups going there assemble at the Daniłowicz Shaft. The journey starts with a descent down the shaft, with some 380 stairs along the way. Eventually, you will reach Level I, also known as the Bono Level. Later, the visitors also see the upper (90 metres) and lower (110 metres) Level II, finishing their tour at Level III (135 metres underground).
During a tour of the Tourist Route, you can admire the many chambers - the result of several hundred years of salt extraction from the “Wieliczka” salt deposit. The beautiful underground landscape is sure to amaze you more than once with picturesque brine lakes, various salt formations - cauliflowers and strings, all illuminated by light reflecting off the surfaces.
You will definitely never forget he visit to St Kinga’s Chapel, where everything is made of salt - from the floor, to the sculptures, including the altar and the chandelier made of salt crystals. Seeing natural formations transformed in such a way can be truly amazing!
The Pilgrims’ Route also takes visitors to the depth of 135 metres below surface. The route itself offers an opportunity to discover the deep faith of the miners, who created some 40 places of worship in the nooks and crannies of the salt deposit, which remain one of the most unique monuments in the world.
The second popular route in the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine is the Miners’ Route, which will take you to the maximum depth of about 101 metres.
The tour starts in the oldest preserved shaft - the Regis Shaft. You will get on the elevator and descend to Level I, to the depth of about 57 metres. Eventually, you will reach Level II below and from there they take the lift to the surface at the end of the tour. The Miners’ Route offers a unique experience of touring a mine, as every visitor can become a miner for the day. As the tour starts, visitors are given special equipment - protective gear, helmet, light and carbon monoxide absorber to ensure their safety. The underground world looks a little different: everything is illuminated by the light of headlamps, and the expedition is packed with various tasks and missions that need to be completed in order for the group to move forward. Along the way, the guide spins an interesting story about the history, geology the miners working in the mine.
During a trip to the salt kingdom, you will go down some 380 stairs (on the Tourist Route). But wait, there is more! There are as many as 800 stairs along the various routes that can be explored in the mine!
If you are going to visit the mine, there are certain tips that will help you prepare for the adventure. The temperature in the underground is quite low - depending on the route, it hovers around:
Make sure to bring appropriate clothing. This includes comfortable shoes, as you will cover 3.5 kilometres of the Tourist Route and 1.9 kilometres of the Miners’ Route. Each of them takes about three hours.
The Tourist Route is the perfect choice for visitors of all ages. You can even take a stroller down there. Due to the nature of the Miners’ Route, it is available to visitors over the age of 10.
Depending on the route, your group might have anywhere between 20 and 35 people. The Miners’ Route groups are usually less numerous.
While visiting the Tourist Route, you have the opportunity to rest at the underground Miners' Inn.
No, they are completely separate routes; however, there is one thing they actually have in common - the beauty of the underground world of our Salt Mine!
Sightseeing
Are you dreaming of going somewhere new, but your vacation days are gone for the year? Your friends are urging you to go on an interesting trip together? A city break might be the solution for you!
Sightseeing
When the outdoor temperature drops significantly and the weather is rather unsuitable for outdoor activities, many people looking for interesting alternatives for a so-called winter city break. The Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of those places that maintains its charm and unique atmosphere during all seasons of the year. It is therefore also ideal for a winter adventure!
Sightseeing
It is located right next to the Daniłowicz shaft. Until recently almost invisible in the landscape of Wieliczka, it will serve tourists once again. Starting in November, the Ignacy Paderewski Shaft will “replace” from the Daniłowicz Shaft as access to the Tourist Route.