Third article of my city trip to Krakow. Today I am going to tell you about the Wieliczka salt mine not far from Krakow. This mine was on the first list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1978, and is also on my list of must-sees for a stay in Krakow.
The Wieliczka salt mine is undoubtedly, with the visit of Auschwitz, the unmissable site of a trip to Krakow. The mines are located 12 kilometers from Krakow, a twenty-minute journey.
To reach the mine, several solutions, you can take the taxi, the bus or go there by mini-bus via agencies which organize for you the displacement as well as the visit.
Looking for a Krakow travel guide?
Like many, I often travel with a travel guide. If you are looking for a guide for your visit to Krakow, let me recommend the "Cartoville" guide from Gallimard. These guides are perfect for directing you during a city trip.
Organized in neighborhoods with numerous maps, the “Cartoville” guides really stand out from their competitors by their practical and intuitive aspect. You will discover the essentials of each district, the places to eat, where to go out, etc.
> Learn all about the history of the Wieliczka Salt Mines
> Visit the Wieliczka mines: Route, timetables and prices
> The visit to the Wieliczka salt mines: zoom on the tourist route
> My opinion on the Wieliczka Salt Mines Direct link :
This link allows you to directly book your visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mines Book your visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mines
Learn all about the history of the Wieliczka Salt Mines
Let's start this visit with a bit of history. The Wieliczka salt mine was discovered in the XNUMXth century with the rapid construction of the first two shafts, the “Goryszowski” shaft and the “castle” shaft. The construction of the salt castle of the mine, today used as a museum was built quickly after its discovery between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries.
Over the centuries, the mine saw the construction of many new shafts.
In 1724 the production of salt salt stops. The years that followed saw the implementation of new extraction techniques as well as the installation of machines to bring the salt to the surface. Horses were brought into the mine and chapels were built.
In 1876 the production of salt blocks stopped.
In the XNUMXth century, machines were modernised, shearing machines and explosives were introduced.
It was in 1966 that the Krakow Salt Mines Museum was created. In 1976 the mine was included in the register of national monuments, and, 2 years later, on the first list of sites belonging to UNESCO's world heritage.
In 1996 the extraction of salt in the mine ends, but the mine still produces flame salt (obtained by evaporation).
In the 2000s the mine continued to be modernized with the installation of new machines.
It was in 2012 that the “Mining Route” was inaugurated, allowing visitors to visit the mine.
Impressive dimensions:
The Krakow Salt Mine has impressive dimensions with 327 meters deep on 9 levels and more than 287 kilometers of gallery.
This mine is famous for its churches which were created inside this mine, in particular the Saint Kinga church entirely designed in salt. Indeed this impressive room with spectacular dimensions is made up of salt, from the ground, to the reliefs and even its chandeliers.
Visit the Wieliczka mines: Route, timetables and prices
Wieliczka Salt Mine opening hours:The mine is open from April 1 to October 31 from 7:30 a.m. to 19:30 p.m.
And from November 2 to March 31 from 8 a.m. to 17 p.m.
The mine is closed on December 24, 25, January 1 as well as November 1 and Easter Sunday.
Departures of visits take place regularly in many languages. Discover the detailed timetables of the Wielliczka mine on the official website.
The different routes offered to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine
Several routes are offered. Indeed the size of the mine does not allow you to visit it as a whole. Different courses have therefore been designed, of different sizes and different difficulties.
> The tourist route:
The first route available to you, the most popular of all, is the so-called tourist route. It is indeed the one that attracts the greatest number of tourists. It has already been borrowed more than 41 million times since its opening.
This one starts at the well Danilowicz and makes you discover the most astonishing places of the mine like the famous Sainte Kinga chapel built entirely in salt or in ocher underground lakes.
The guided tour lasts approximately 3 hours and includes a visit to the mining museum. I'll tell you about this route that I had the chance to do a little further down in the “Zoom on the tourist route” section.
The tourist route is offered from April 1 to October 31 from 7:30 a.m. to 19:30 p.m. and from November 2 to March 31 from 8 a.m. to 17 p.m.
> The mining route
This route, which begins at the oldest shaft in the mine, the Regis shaft, is the most physical of the routes. Indeed it is necessary to have a good physical condition because it requires, at times, significant effort.
This experience is the one that comes closest to the experience of a minor of the time, it will also be mandatory to wear protective clothing but also a helmet.
Visiting the mines via the mining route takes about 3 hours.
The mining route is offered from April 1 to October 31 from 9 a.m. to 18 p.m. and from November 00 to March 2 from 31:9 a.m. to 30 p.m.
> The pilgrimage route
Blessed by Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz in 2010, the pilgrimage route is a guided tour of approximately 2 hours of the main places of worship in the mine, notably the Saint-Antoine chapel or the Sainte-Cunégonde chapel. This course is carried out in the company of a guide but also of a priest who celebrates a mass at the end of the visit.
The pilgrimage route is offered from April 1 to October 31 from 7:30 a.m. to 19:30 p.m. and from November 2 to March 31 from 8 a.m. to 17 p.m.
The prices of the visits are all the same price. For a visit in a foreign language (foreign here means a language different from Polish), the price is 89 PLN (21 €) outside holiday period and 94 PLN (23€) during school holidays (especially from July 1 to August 31).
Book your salt mine tour with transport from Krakow
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is not located very far from the center of Krakow but reaching it is not necessarily easy. As public transport wastes a lot of time, it is recommended to opt for a tour including the journey from Krakow.
In addition, make sure that the visit is in French (if you wish). Book your mine tour from Krakow
Focus on the tourist route
As I said above, it is therefore this course that we have chosen. This one shows you the main part of the mine passing by the incredible chapel Santa Kinga. It takes you more than 135 meters deep on level 3. You will travel almost 3 kilometers and descend more than 800 steps.
It all starts at the Danilowicz well. This is where you can buy your tickets and meet your guide. First, you will have nearly 400 steps to descend. These will take you 64 meters underground on level 1.
Then begins the visit through endless galleries. These are supported by large wooden logs. The amount of wood used is quite impressive. Despite the risk of fire, the wood has the particularity of not oxidizing.
You will also travel through countless chambers, each more impressive than the next, underground lakes and of course you will cross the famous Santa Kinga church.
Chapel of Saint Kinga
Relief from the Saint Kinga Chapel
Relief from the Saint Kinga Chapel
Sculpture of John Paul II, Wieliczka Salt Mine
You will also see the Saurau chamber with a height of almost 36 meters where the world record for indoor bungee jumping took place. This room has also seen the flight of a hot air balloon.
Underground chamber, Wieliczka Salt Mine
Underground chamber, Wieliczka Salt Mine
On your way you will see a multitude of reconstructions that will allow you to see how life was in the mine.
Reconstruction, Wieliczka Salt Mine
Reconstruction, Wieliczka Salt Mine
The visit ends with the museum and the restaurant of the mine. Don't worry, the return is done using an elevator that takes you back to the surface.
My opinion on the Wieliczka Salt Mine
The visit of the mine de sel de Wieliczka is, without a doubt, one of the unmissable places during a trip to Krakow. Located a few kilometers from Krakow, you will discover a unique, impressive place steeped in history. Cultural visit that I highly recommend. Small problem, to reach the mine it will be necessary, a priori, to opt for a transport from your hotel in order to save time. However, the prices are still very affordable. I hope I have made you want to visit this place.
