Wieliczka - Wieliczka

Wieliczka is a city in Poland in the southern voivodeship Lesser Poland in the Wieliczka Mountains at the foot of the Beskydy Mountains and is immediately adjacent Krakow. Below the city is the oldest and largest operating salt mine in the world from the 12th century. The Wieliczka Salt Mine is part of the UNESCO world cultural heritage. The place is officially recognized as a potential health resort.

getting there

Wieliczka is close to the big city Krakow. The nearest international airport is there. Wieliczka is on the A4 motorway. There are train and bus connections to Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

mobility

The old town can be explored on foot or by bike.

Tourist Attractions

Wieliczka is mainly known for its salt mine. The 14th century castle of King Kazimierz the Great is also worth a visit. The museum has a collection of salt shakers, among other things.

Wieliczka Salt Mine

Salt has probably been extracted in the vicinity of Wieleczka for some time. The oldest evidence of such extraction of salt comes from the beginning of the 11th century. Back then, salt water from several salty springs was boiled to preserve the salt. In the 13th century, the first shafts were dug into the ground in order to find the deposits from which the springs fed, if necessary. After rock salt was discovered, the mine grew rapidly. In the 14th century it was already one of the largest and most profitable salt mining sites. At that time it made up about a quarter of Poland's economic output. Salt was used to preserve meat and fish and was therefore in demand everywhere. In 1913 today's salt works was built, which is now used as the main entrance to the mine. In 1978 the mine was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In 1993 the active mining of salt was stopped. The mine shafts and tunnels now have a total length of 900 km and there are more than 2000 underground chambers in total. The top three of the total of nine levels can be visited. The 4.5 km long tour leads through 20 chambers and past underground lakes to a depth of 136 meters. Many of the chambers are adorned with beautiful sculptures carved out of the salt. The mine is also home to the world's largest chapel, 50 meters long. There is an ornately carved altar here and many scenes from the Bible. A museum inside the mine provides information about the history of salt mining. At a depth of 211 meters, a sanatorium treats cases of asthma and bronchial diseases.

activities

Wieliczka lies at the foot of the Island Beskidsthat invite you to go hiking, cycling and winter sports.

shop

A visit is recommended for shopping Krakow, as the selection of boutiques is greater there.

kitchen

Grocery shopping and dining out are inexpensive in Wieliczka.

nightlife

The nightlife takes place in the old town.

accommodation

There are hotels and pensions of all categories.

trips

• Krakow
• Bochnia
• Dobczyce
• Myślenice
• Rabka

literature

See article too Poland.

Web links

• http://www.wieliczka.eu/ - Wieliczka official website
• official website of the salt mine
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