Wieliczka Salt Mine (Poland)

Wieliczka salt mine, in the suburbs of Krakow, has been worked since the 13^th century. Rock salt is still mined here, but tourism has taken precedence over production which is now merely a sideline. In order to avoid flooding of the mine, the 300 kilometres of galleries have to be carefully maintained. So surplus water continues to be pumped and a water treating plant, installed at the site in 1912 and modernised in 2003, carries out the extraction of the salt it contains. Wieliczka salt is black, like rock, yet after grinding it becomes white. It is transformed into perfumed bath salts or table salt. The pink and orange salt lamps sold at the exit are, however, made from salt brought in from other places: but business is business!

 

The most amazing thing in Wieliczka mine is the decoration of the chambers and galleries. The clay schist consisting of 85% salt has been sculpted into statues, chapels, bas-reliefs, the religious and the lowly. These salt icons all tell the mine's story, celebrate its legends and pay patriotic homage to Poland. Even 'Solidarity' and Jean-Paul II are honoured in this way. An exhibition room, conference room, bar, restaurant and even a cathedral (at a depth of 101 metres) have all been created underground.