"WIELICZKA SALT MINE" Top 5 Page for this destination Wieliczka by LoriPori

Wieliczka Travel Guide: 118 reviews and 490 photos

VT GROUP TOUR TO THE SALT MINE

Sunday May 30, 2010 - VT Group Tour to Wieliczka Salt Mine
The Historic WIELICZKA SALT MINE, located 10 km from the centre of Krakow, is the only mine in the world where mining has been continuous since the Middle Ages. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site September 9, 1978. Every year the salt mine (we called it a Gold Mine) attracts millions of tourists from around the world.
Constructed on nine levels, these excavations stretch for 300 kilometres and reach a depth of 327 metres. To enter the first chamber, visitors have to descend the stairs (380 steps in all) at Level I which is 64 metres below ground level.
The walk through the Salt Mine takes about three hours. As you walk, you will see magnificent formations such as chapels cut in the salt (Chapel of St. Kinga situated 101 metres under the ground), underground lakes and hundreds of stalagmites and stalactites. You will see on display, the tools used by the miners when they worked underground and the many sculptures made of salt.
A vast underground city, the Salt Mine also contains a restaurant and souvenir shops. The underground chambers also serve as venues for organizing conferences, banquets, parties, concerts and even weddings.
Going back up to the surface (135 metres) you use a special express lift up the Danilowicz Shaft from Level 3. Seven people were crammed in there at once. Remember, thousands of tourists visit every day and there is only one way up. In just minutes, we were up to the surface - amazing!

Salt Stone Sculpture

VT Group Pic

This great VT Group pic is courtesy of Chris (Balfor). Thanks Chris - it's an awesome photo.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Wonderful to be able to visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site

Last visit to Wieliczka: May 2010
Intro Updated Mar 26, 2011
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Reviews (3)

Sculpture of Christ Crucified - Wieliczka

THE HOLY CROSS CHAPEL Things to Do (3)

Located at Upper Level II and 91.0 metres underground, the HOLY CROSS CHAPEL was created to dedicate the saving of the... more travel advice

CHAPEL OF SAINT KINGA Things to Do (3)

The largest among the underground chapels in the Wieliczka Salt Mine, the CHAPEL OF SAINT KINGA is actually a sizable... more travel advice

WIELICZKA SALT MINE Things to Do (3)

Sunday May 30, 2010 - VT Group Tour to Wieliczka Salt Mine The Historic WIELICZKA SALT MINE, located 10 km from the... more travel advice

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Comments (7)

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matcrazy1 Dec 26, 2010 at 9:05 AM

Great memories again, Lori. WOW, great video with underground dancing :-) You are always welcome back to Poland :-)))
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aussirose Sep 24, 2010 at 3:48 PM

What fun...dancing in the salt mine haha :o) Love those chandeliers! Thanks for the bd wishes matey. Had a wonderful time in KL and Pulau Tioman! Did my first scuba dive :o) Hugs xx
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HORSCHECK Aug 16, 2010 at 2:09 PM

Fabulous little page with great photos of Wieliczka. For some reason I never made it to this salt mine place, although I have now been twice to Krakow and the surrounding area.
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Gillybob Jul 30, 2010 at 1:52 PM

Great underground memories, Lori!! Gillybob greetings
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cachaseiro Jul 4, 2010 at 4:57 PM

very nice page from our salt mine tour.
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Kuznetsov_Sergey Jun 18, 2010 at 12:53 AM

Another interesting tour with VT-friends! I envy you could see such an exciting place!
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yumyum Jun 17, 2010 at 9:59 AM

Thanks for the virtual tour Lori! I didn't come because I had visited the one in Bochnia last july with the crazies :)))