Wieliczka is a small Polish town with a population of just 20,000. Every year, over a million tourists come here to see the world-famous salt deposits, known since ancient times. Once upon a time, the Wieliczka Salt Mine was the largest in Europe, and today it is the most popular tourist attraction in Poland, having been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978.

The system of underground corridors beneath the city extends nine stories deep, totaling over 300 km, and contains 3,000 chambers. Only a small part—”mere” 3.5 km—is open to tourists.

The History of the Wieliczka Salt Mine
The mines formed naturally, from a salt spring. Over time, the spring emptied, turning into a small well. When that, too, was exhausted, the first miners descended through the remaining wide tunnel to the salt deposits. Salt mining was carried out from the 13th to the 20th centuries. In Wieliczka, salt was evaporated from brines as early as the 11th century, and in the 14th century, rock salt was mined.

Current Status
Today, tours are offered underground, where you can trace the development of salt extraction and processing technologies, as well as admire the whimsical beauty of the underground lakes and the splendor of the chapels. Dozens of salt sculptures and bas-reliefs created by salt miners are available to tourists.

Wieliczka Salt Mine Visiting Guidelines
The tour begins with a descent down the stairs to a depth of 64 meters (the first level of the mine), continues with a tour of 20 old worked-out chambers, and concludes with a visit to the Krakow Salt Mine Museum. After the tour, tourists can relax in the chamber complex at a depth of 125 meters, purchase souvenirs, and dine at the Miner’s Tavern. The constant temperature inside the mine is 14°C, so even in summer, warm clothing is recommended.

For those who prefer a more casual approach, a special program, “Secrets of the Wieliczka Mine,” is available by advance reservation only. It’s a four-hour, incredible adventure in the depths of the earth. Before the tour, each visitor is equipped with a special suit, a helmet, a genuine miner’s lamp, and a protective filter-absorber.