Wieliczka Salt Mines Crakow Poland Tours and Trips

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The Wieliczka Salt Mines in Poland is an easy journey on your own or with the many Krakov tours.

It was one of the world's oldest operating salt mines in the world.

As it had been working continuosly from the thirteeth century until it stopped commercial operations in two thousand and seven.

Now a main tourist attraction around one point two million people visit the Salt Mines tour annually.

It is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Because of the volume of visitors you will more than likely have to queque to go down the mine. The time spent waiting in line will depend on the time of year and the number of visitors.

The tour commences with an energetic decent of the three hundred and seventy eight sturdy wooden steps to the level of the tourist route. The stairwell is well lit and your tour guides are in touch with you at all times.

The mine descends to over nine levels, and its corridors, galleries, and chambers are filled with works of art such as altars, chapels, various figures and statues sculpted from the salt rock. There are also underground lakes and a major display of old mining tools and equipment from the Middle Ages to more modern times.

The route descends by means of gentle slopes and steps passing exhibits and rock formations on your way all pointed out by your tour guide. The oldest sculptures you will see were carved out of the rock salt by working miners when the mine was producing salt but the more recent figures have been carved by contemporary artists.

Many visitors are surprised to find that the carvings are mostly grey and not white, as they appear on most pictures. The reason is that rock salt in its natural state is various shades of grey. The light from the flash of cameras pick up the salt crystals which makes them look white or silvery on the photographs. The carvings in reality look more like unpolished granite.

The star of the show is the underground cathedral complete with crystal chandeliers that are made from rock salt that has been dissolved and reconstituted to achieve a clear, glass-like appearance. You enter the cathedral from the top and go down some stairs into it for a closer view of the many carved works of art on display. They are amazing! The Wieliczka mine is often referred to as "the Underground Salt Cathedral of Poland" and it is easy to see why.

The visit also includes a visit to an underground lake sound and light show. Although only short it does enhance your trip.

Towards the end of the tour you will pass through an underground reception room with lots of carvings on the walls and then into a huge cavern which houses the enevitable souvenier shop. There is also promotions for the private rehabilitation center and wellness complex attached to the mine.

Don’t worry about how you will leave the mine. Relax you don’t have to climb back up the three hundred and seventy eight steps you can take the lift instead up to another souvenier shop. The lift whisks you back to the surface in thirty seconds.

The Wieliczka Salt Mine is definatley worth a visit.

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