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"Wieliczka" Salt Mine

ul. Daniłowicza 10, 32-020 Wieliczka, woj. małopolskie

  • Curiosities & Technology
  • Mines / Adits
  • Technical Monuments

"Wieliczka" Salt Mine

The "Wieliczka" Salt Mine is one of the oldest operating rock salt mines in the world, in continuous operation since the Middle Ages. It is one of Poland's most famous monuments and a tourist destination of worldwide importance.

Location and surroundings

The mine is located in Wieliczka, about 13 km east of Kraków, in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. The entrance for individual tourists is at the Daniłowicz shaft.

History and what to see

Salt exploitation in the Wieliczka area dates back to the Neolithic, and rock salt mining began at the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries. The mine has 9 levels reaching a depth of about 327 m and hundreds of kilometres of galleries. The Tourist Route, about 3 km long, leads through some 20 chambers at a depth of 64-135 m. The most famous place is the underground Chapel of St. Kinga, entirely carved and decorated in salt, located about 101 m underground.

Who it is for

An attraction for individual tourists, families with children and organised groups. Underground there is a constant, low temperature - warmer clothing is recommended.

Infrastructure

On the surface there is tourist infrastructure and a museum (the Kraków Saltworks Museum), and the mine also functions as a rehabilitation and treatment centre.

Practical information

Visiting

  • Tourist Route about 3 km long, some 20 chambers, about 800 steps
  • Visiting time about 2-3 hours
  • Inscribed on the first UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978; a Monument of History

Season and hours

Open all year round; hours and route availability depend on the season.

Getting there

Wieliczka, about 13 km from Kraków; accessible by car and public transport (including rail and buses).

Contact

  • phone +48 12 278 73 02
  • web: www.kopalnia.pl
Cost: bilet normalny ok. 92 zł, ulgowy ok. 82 zł (Trasa Turystyczna) Visit duration: approx. 2-3 hours Seasonality: all year Opening hours: Trasa Turystyczna ok. 8:00-18:00 (godziny zależne od sezonu)

Udogodnienia - atrakcje

  • Parking
  • Toaleta

Sposób dojazdu

  • Kamper / samochód
  • Komunikacja miejska

Kontakt

Source: https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kopalnia_soli_Wieliczka; https://www.kopalnia.pl/turysta-indywidualny/informacje-praktyczne/ceny-biletow-i-godziny-zwiedzania; https://www.kopalnia.pl/turysta-indywidualny/informacje-praktyczne/mapa-i-dojazd