Wieliczka Salt Mine

Why visit?

The Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the oldest continuously operating enterprises in the world — salt was extracted here without interruption from the late 13th century until 1996. This underground city on nine levels, reaching 327 metres down, has some 300 kilometres of galleries; in 1978 the mine was among the first twelve sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The most popular Tourist Route leads through 20 chambers at depths of 64 to 135 metres: past underground lakes, gigantic chambers hewn out of the salt deposit and chapels, the most famous being the St. Kinga's Chapel — a hall over 50 metres long, filled with salt sculptures and chandeliers — which for decades has served as a real church where masses, concerts and even weddings take place. An underground restaurant awaits at the end of the route, and health chambers operate in the workings, as the saline microclimate helps treat respiratory conditions. More than a million visitors tour the mine each year. The descent involves around 800 steps, and the whole route takes about 2–2.5 hours — the temperature underground stays around 17–18°C, so bring an extra layer even in summer. Buy tickets online in advance (bilety.kopalnia.pl), especially in high season and for morning slots. Wear comfortable shoes; the route is not accessible with prams or wheelchairs because of the staircases.

What you’ll see

• Kaplica św. Kingi — solna katedra 100 m pod ziemią
• Podziemne jeziora i komory pokryte solą lodowcową
• Trasa Turystyczna: 20 komór i 800 schodów
• Żyrandole i rzeźby wykute w bryłach soli
• Podziemna restauracja i gabinety zdrowotne

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