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ul. Zamkowa 8, Wieliczka
The Cracow Saltworks Museum is one of the largest institutions in Europe devoted to the history of salt mining. It operates in Wieliczka near Cracow and looks after the heritage of the Cracow saltworks — a complex of mines that filled the state treasury for centuries. A visit falls into two completely different parts: underground and above ground.
The underground section of the museum occupies chambers of the salt mine, at a level of around 135 metres below the surface. It is one of the deepest museum displays on the continent. Mining machinery and tools have been gathered here, along with reconstructions of former workplaces and collections illustrating successive eras of salt extraction.
The surface exhibition occupies the restored medieval Saltworks Castle — the former seat of the mine's management. Fragments of the defensive walls, a shaft and the tower have survived, while the interiors hold archaeological, cartographic, geological and ethnographic collections, including the famous set of salt cellars. A separate collection is made up of old photographs, postcards and prints. In summer the castle courtyard becomes a stage for concerts and open-air events.
The Wieliczka complex is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, which it joined in the very first round of inscriptions. Touring the surface part takes roughly an hour, while the underground section requires separate time and a descent with a guide. It is an all-weather attraction, so it works well as a fallback plan on a rainy day of travel.
