Isn’t temperature outside too high recently? If you think so also, why don’t try something completely different than one more summer day in the city? Let say – something underground. Sounds a little bit scary? Don’t be affraid, it is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Yes, you have right: we’re talking abot Wieliczka and – to be precise – about its famous Salt Mine. As it is written in the justification for entering the place on UNESCO’s First World List of Cultural and Natural Heritage (8th September, 1978):
“The historic Salt Mine in Wieliczka is the only mining site in the world functioning continuously since the Middle Ages. Lying on nine levels, its original excavations (longitudinals, traverses, chambers, lakes, as well as minor and major shafts) stretch for the total of about 300 kilometres: reaching the depth of 327 metres they illustrate all the stages of mining technology development over time.”
Quite a nice recommendation. The tourist route accessible to visitors includes a 3,5-kilometres section located from 64 to 135 metres below ground level. What you can find on the route? Magnificent chapels, captivating underground lakes, original tools and equipment, traces of mining works allow us to understand salt dough handprint the human struggle against the elements, their work, their passion and their beliefs. The Wieliczka miners have left behind many salt carvings and murals. After sightseeing, tourists can rest in the chamber complex 125 metres underground where they can find souvenir shops, a restaurant, and a post office. The underground route is visited annually by over one million tourists.
You can easily be one of them, because Wieliczka is realy very close to Krakow (c. a. 10 km). How can you get there? Try with Krakow Shuttle from 17 euro per run (book now).
See you underground!