Until its closure in 1996 Wieliczka was one of the oldest operating salt mines in the world. Salt has been mined here since the thirteenth century, initially producing salt for the table and later salt for the chemical industry and salt for winter roads. It has now become one of the most visited tourist attractions in Poland, attracting over a million visitors a year, it is a Polish Historic Monument and, since 1978, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The mine is huge going down to a depth of 327m with nine different levels. The total distance covered by passageways and chambers is 287Km. Visitors to the mine follow a route that takes them down to 135m, accessing the first three levels only. It covers less than 2% of that which has been excavated.
The town of Wieliczka lies about 16Km/10 miles south east of Kraków. The journey time depends on traffic but should be around 30 minutes by car/bus. The 304 bus leaves from Kurniki Street which is just north of the Old Town every 20 minutes. Tour companies also have pick up points in the city and also go direct to the mine. Some even do hotel pickups. It is also possible to travel to Wieliczka by train. Trains run half hourly from Kraków Glowny to Wieliczka Rynek Kopalnia and costs about 4 Zloty each way, the journey time is 20-25 minutes. This option does however involve a ten minute walk from the railway station to the mine.
The mine is open to visitors every day except New Years Day, Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Times do vary with the season so it is worth checking before you go. Entry to the mine is 89 Zloty and includes a guide. Tours in English depart every 30 minutes between 8.30 and 18.00 between April and October. Outside this period there are obviously less tourists so tour times may vary. There are refreshment and toilet facilities adjacent to the entry to the mine if you have to wait for an appropriate tour
The tour begins with a descent of 350 steps down to the first level. Once in the mine the temperature is a constant 15 degrees Celsius so take a jumper or light jacket if you think you may need it. The underground trail covers 3.5Km and in total you will descend 800 steps. The tour takes about two hours with a couple of short breaks. There are toilets at two locations on the tour as well as restaurant/cafe facilities and the opportunity to do some souvenir shopping. Return back to the surface at the end of the tour is by high speed lift.
The tour itself is quite remarkable as you encounter salt sculptures, dioramas detailing the history of the mine, chapels and huge chambers. Perhaps surprisingly the salt is grey due to the presence of small levels
The Chapel of St. Kinga ia perhaps the most impressive with crystal chandeliers and the most intricate relief carvings on the walls. The detail here is such that it took thirty years to complete. The chamber is vast and can hold up to 400 people seated for concerts or private functions.
The Erazm Baracz Chamber contains a salt lake with. density greater than the Dead Sea. Floating here would be very easy indeed. The highest chamber is the Stanislaw Stasiz Chamber, the ceiling is so high it has been used for indoor bungee jumping and hot air ballooning.
I joined a small group tour from Kraków and the total trip was four and a half hours so it makes an ideal half day activity. To make maximum use of my day I took the tour leaving Kraków at eight thirty in the morning, returning just in time for lunch and leaving the rest of the day to spend in the city. I really recommend a trip to the salt mine as its such a unique experience.