I have heard so many beautiful stories and no doubt with those stunning photos of the Wieliczka Salt Mine I have seen. Wielczka Salt Mine had been in operation for over 700 years and its on UNESCO World Heritage list. I was so excited to organise my trip and I got a bargain return flights to Poland. Im like a kid jumping out of joy. And added bonus upon receiving an email from the Wieliczka Saltmine press department for a free English tour.
As soon as I arrived at my accommodation in Krakow. I inquired to the receptionist how to get to the Saltmine. She checked out the easiest way to get there. Soon we found out that there’s a new trainline to the Saltmine. So off I went to the Krakow Glowny and checked for the flatform. I met two American guy on board going to the Salt mine too, so we started chatting. It wasn’t long when the train started to move away. We were then passing through the polish countryside, cornfields and open greenfield. After 25 minutes train journey, we reached the Wieliczka station. Its only 15 km southeast of Krakow. And from the train station just 5 minutes walk to Daniลowicz Shaft the main entrance to the Saltmine.
I went straight to the information office to collect my complimentary ticket. They gave me two tickets so I gave away the other ticket to the American guy I met on the train on my way to the Saltmine. We then joined the English tour group, I was wondering I got different ticket but I was thinking probably because it’s a complimentary. I showed my ticket to the guard nods at me and this american guy behind me was held up, the guard says the ticket was not valid. I went back to tell that his with me. And they escorted us inside the office, I wasn’t aware we need to exchange it to a ticket. We were laughing we thought we were in trouble. Knowing me thats my other name. So after it was all sorted, we were then given an audio and we were excited to join the other 15 tourist.
I was expecting a lift to go down but oh boy we took the stairs. It was like 300 plus stairs step, not sure the exactly but I stopped counting when I felt dizzy ( not literally). I can’t imagine we descend as deep as 135m below ground. But we were assured that there’s a lift coming back up, we were all relieved.
As we descend to the chambers, you can feel the warmth air, some part its nice and cool. There are chambers that is close to the public due to preservation and according to our guide through our warm breath might destroy the Salt formation.
The first chamber we seen was the Mikolaj Kornik or more famously known as Nicolaus Copernicus. A great polish astronomer and mathematician who formulated the Copernican Revolution.
Next was the Janowice Chamber, it was discovered before 1642. The display of the legends discovery of rock salt. Fun thing about this you can lick the walls to prove its a rock salt! And it is salty.
Then we moved towards the Casimirs The Great Chamber was dedicated to Kazimierza Wielkiego, who organised the form of Statute the law regulating the management of the salt mines. Sculptor by Wladyslaw Hapek.
Watch out for the dinosaur on the wall it’s watching you. There’s even this chamber that according to our guide there’s a monster, across the water. Not quite sure what sort of monster but I saw a carved statue on the wall, the background music makes it more spoky than what really is.
Then we went to the Chapel of St. Kinga. Which is the known crown jewel of the Wieliczka Salt Mine and the miners’ pride. Evidently as you descend from the grand stairs, its majestic ground area welcomes you. With the impressivelly bright chandeliers suspended in the air. Slowly walk along the sides and be amaze by the saltrock sculptures spectacularly carved on the walls and stunning statues around. Such a great time admiring the masterpiece with my very eyes. This area can accommodate 400 people and they cater for weddings too. And other smaller chapels. So who’s ready to be hitch anyone?
They also cater for parties, conferences and seminars.
On your way out there’s a store for souvenirs, photo exhibition of the mine.
At the end of the tour head off to the lift/ elevator. But don’t get too excited because if your claustrophobic you won’t gonna love it.
Insiders Tip
From Krakow Glowny there’s a direct trainline going to Wieliczka Salt mine, look for Rynek Kopalnia Wieliczka it’s the last train stop. Only cost 3 zloty each way for a 25 minutes journey.
Theres buses going to the Saltmine. BUS 304 departs near shopping mall Galeria Krakowska (ul. Kurniki), but I highly recommend taking the train. Travel time for buses are longer, due to road works.
You can buy entry tickets on site.
There 2 site entry depends on what tour you choose.
Daniลowicz Shaft where the normal tourist route.
Regis Shaft where the more adventurous tourist go for the miners route.
Buy a souvenir bath salt it was really nice. Needed badly after a stressful day.
Have you been to Wieliczka Salt Mine or other place like this? Share your experience on the comment below. I love to hear your stories too.
Disclosure:
Thank you to Wieliczka Salt Mine press department for providing my complimentary English Tour ticket. I enjoyed my visit but as always all opinions expressed are my own.
Wow, what an awesome adventure! I love the pictures.
It was a great day out and thank you very much.
Surprising attraction! This must has been an awesome visit!
Yes it was an awesome place to visit
What a great day spent indeed. I was supposed to visit krakow but didn’t push thru.If I get to go Ill go for the more adventurous route
If I have known this ahead of time il have gone for the miners route
What a really wonderful experience – despite the stairs! The chapel looks absolutely incredible – what a place. I love the pictures too – you get a real impression of what it must have been like. We went to the salt mines in Hallstatt in Austria last year and that was good, but not quite as impressive as this!
Oh I almost went to that salt mine but I haven’t had the time.
What a fantastic addition to our cardholders! I hope they have enough time to go visit the salt mine! Thanks Guys for sharing this!
They need to find time to go and see it, such a beautiful place.
The underground world that was created both for and from salt is just amazing.
It was amazing those intricate carvings on the walls and statues
Wow this sounds like such a fascinating experience, and I’m impressed you managed over 300 steps!! I get dizzy when it starts hitting more than 10 ๐ I would really love to get there to visit the chapel and witness everything firsthand for myself. Thanks for this fascinating write up and for sharing your photos and tips ๐
My very first underground adventure and I can I honestly say its so fascinating place I highly recommend for everyone to visit.
What an exciting adventure and what a unique destination! I woujld love to go!!!
It is a cool place to visit as you say it’s unique
Very interesting read! Looks like you had an amazing adventure ๐ I want to see it for myself, soon ๐ ๐ ๐
Thank you, its good you enjoyed it. Its such a pretty place you need to visit and I highly recommend
Awesome! This place looks interesting, a must visit indeed!
Very interesting and amazing place to visit indeed
I have never thought to visit salt mines before, what an interesting experience! The carvings look stunning.
Yes the place is beautiful and stunning rock carvings
300 steps all the way down? That’s a lot of work. Good thing there’s an elevator on the way up. It’s the first time I’ve heard of a saltmine, I was actually imagine the white salt before I get to the bottom of your post. So those figures are made of salt, so cool!
You will soon forget the 300+ steps when you see the chambers, they are worth every steps ๐
Great pictures. I’m ashamed to say I missed this when I visited Poland.
Thank you, that’s an excuse for another visit to Krakow
Weird and dark experience, in a good way! that Chapel of St. Kinga – wow! That’s stunning!
I won’t say weird but dark (poor lighting lol ) definitely a stunning place.
I was in Krakow two years ago with my family only for less than a day. I guess that would not have been enough to go the mines, look around and go back again.
How long was your visit there? It looks stupendous!
You need half day or 3hrs for the activity.
Certainly stunning. Some weeks ago I attended an event where someone showed real motivating photos in Poland and now a post. I guess those are signs to go to his country and start with this adventure. Yay!
Yes Poland is beautiful you need that flight organise soon ๐
I love underground adventures and caves- this looks like an amazing experience!
It is indeed an amazing experience, such a great day out
What a cool place to visit!
Another place I highly recommend to visit
Without a doubt, this is one of the most unique experiences I have ever read. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Thank you very much.
Wow, imagine getting married there?! Certainly something to tell your kids about one day. Glad there’s a lift back up too, not sure I’d enjoy walking up all those steps again ๐
A story to be told again and again with a good photo book
We visited last year and it was one of the most stunning places we have ever been. We would have liked to have a bit more freedom and not have to take a tour but they were very informative at least. One of the places you just have to visit if you go to Krakow.
I think its mandatory to have guides or else people will wander around the close chambers and get lost
I could have sworn I left you a comment on this post before! That’s really too bad it didn’t go through. Anyway, I’m pinning this to my Poland | Krakow board.
Thanks
Looks interesting, we went to a salt mine in colombia and it actually looked quite similar!
That’s cool, I love underground adventures
Ok, when I read about how many stairs you have to climb and how deep it is I was ready to say “Nope! Don’t want to try it!” but then I saw the pictures. WOW!!! I definitely need to put this on my bucket list for when we visit Poland!
It is definitely a bucket list filler.
This looks super neat! I definitely have never had an experience like this before and really wish I will soon ๐ Nice job capturing the experience with those photos!
Something to add to your growing bucket list
Wow, beautiful pictures! This is on my wishlist.
Thank you, enjoy your visit when you get there