Wieliczka Salt Mine is in the capital of scotland – Wieliczka, southern Poland, which lies inside Krakow metropolitan area. Through the Neolithic times, table salt was produced here through the upwelling brine.
Nowadays, the mine never extracts salt by mining because extraction stopped in 1996. Salt continues to be produced from underground brine, it is then pumped for the surface and become pure evaporated salt.
The mines have become the state run Polish Historical Monument as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its attraction includes four chapels, an underground lake, historic salt-mining and labyrinthine technology displays.
Find out more about Wieliczka Salt Mine of these best fascinating facts.
1. Wieliczka Salt Mine is finished 700 Years
A brief history in the Wieliczka Salt mine dates back to the thirteenth century. Brine following to the surface had been collected and processed due to the sodium chloride content.
King Casimir II the fantastic contributed greatly to the progression of the Wieliczka Salt Mine. This granted the mines many privileges anf the husband took the miners under his protection.
On the period of the mine’s running, many chambers were dug as well as other technologies were added, including the Hungarian horse treadmill. During Wwii, the Germans used the mine as a possible underground facility for war-related manufacturing.
2. A lot of the Mine Interior is constructed of Salt
This can be a salt mill, in the end. Most tunnels have walls, floors, roofs, and even crystal decorations and statues carved in salt. Once you check out the mines, you can touch something to feel.
There are wooden beams in the tunnels, and they are the lots of sculptures and reliefs throughout the mine. The wood was applied to guard the ceilings and walls manufactured from salt, which is the reason there wasn’t any forest near Wieliczka from the 15th century.
You’ll find most stunning crystals hanging from numerous chandeliers from the mine. They appear like glass but they are actually giant salt crystals from rock salt that were dissolved and reconstructed.
3. Wieliczka is Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site
In 1978, the Wieliczka Salt Mines in Poland was indexed by the UNESCO World Heritage list alongside the historic city centre of Krakow. It’s one of the oldest mines in the world.
The oldest document confirms its existence goes back to 1044. The mine site comes with the Wieliczka Saltworks Castle as well as the nearby Bochnia Salt Mine.
4. The Mine Has for Chapels
The conditions within the mines weren’t the top. So, the miners created four chapels to hope in. The mine could be the only 1 with an underground church in Europe.
One of the chapels was the Chapel of St. Kinga, one of the most impressive part of the salt mines. It took control of three decades for three men to finish the chapel removing approximately 20,000 tonnes of salt.
Holy masses are performed to this day on the occasion from the name day’s St. Kinga and yuletide. Additionally there is a large salt statue in honour of St. Kinga, which you could also see some of the chandeliers with their rock salt crystal.
5. In The Middle Age, Wieliczka Salt Mining Generated a 3rd of Poland’s Income
The income from salt mining landed a 3rd in the wages of the royal treasury in Poland. Salt was considered a noble metal and was called “White gold”.
During that time, many transactions were paid using salt and work, which is the reason nowadays, the phrase “salary” can be used to explain earnings.
On account of salt income, tenement houses and royal residences were built. This made a fortune for families with names growing from salt.
6. The Mines have some of Unique Machinery and Structure
You’ll find the world’s largest mining machines manufactured from wood, a horse treadmill in the 17th century and the horn of miners from the miner’s brotherhood from 1534. In the 17th century, the very first horse was brought to the salt mine.
The few things inside the mine that weren’t created from salt were buckets, winches, mining tools and a few sculptures made of wood. Salt is an excellent preservative and many tools and apparatus remain in good condition.
7. Heat Ballooning and Bungee Jumping Have Came about in the Mine
A classy air balloon was lifted 65 feet up for four minutes in 2014. However, there is absolutely no evidence that online outside their internet site.
Also, sporting activities happened in the mines, like soccer games and windsurfing on Subterrain Lake. Some areas might be hired out for formal dinners, weddings, and in many cases concerts.
8. The Mine is Deep
The cheapest part of the mine is 1073 feet below ground and also the total whole mine tunnel is 178 miles.
The best approach to the mines is the tourist route, which enables you to begin to see the appeal of the mine along with the most crucial parts of it. The gap is 3.5 kilometres along with the depth you will reach is 135 meters.
Most rocks within the mine use a dull grey look; however, in a few batches, the salts look fluffy white. The miners nicknamed this cauliflower.
9. The Mines Happen to be Featured in Culture
In 1995, Preisner’s Music, a compilation of film music by Polish composer Zbigniew Preisner was recorded by Sinfonia Varsovia from the Wieliczka mines chapel. Also, in 1999 in america, the Wieliczka Salt Mine was featured inside a Modern Marvels episode on salt mines.
In the Australian television series Spellbinder: Land of the Dragon Lord, the mines were featured because the Land with the Moloch. The mines have appeared on multiple editions of a reality show; The astonishing Race, The astounding Race Australia 1 and much more.
10. Breath Healthy Air During Your Visit
Air inside the Wieliczka salt mine is free of charge from bacteria, viruses and pollutants. A trip to them can relieve people suffering from respiratory diseases and allergies and it also helps cure a hangover.
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