Wieliczka Salt Mine influences capital of scotland – Wieliczka, southern Poland, which lies inside Krakow metropolitan area. In 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 remains to be made out of underground brine, then it is pumped to the surface and changed into pure evaporated salt.
The mines are actually a state Polish Historical Monument plus a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its attraction includes four chapels, an underground lake, historic salt-mining and labyrinthine technology displays.
Learn more about Wieliczka Salt Mine in these top 10 fascinating facts.
1. Wieliczka Salt Mine is finished 700 Years
A brief history from the Wieliczka Salt mine extends back on the thirteenth century. Brine following up to the surface had been collected and processed due to the sodium chloride content.
King Casimir II the fantastic contributed greatly for the growth and development of the Wieliczka Salt Mine. This granted the mines many privileges anf the husband took the miners under his protection.
In the period of the mine’s running, many chambers were dug and other technologies were added, like the Hungarian horse treadmill. During World War II, the Germans used the mine being an underground facility for war-related manufacturing.
2. The majority of the Mine Interior consists of Salt
It is a salt mill, in the end. Most tunnels have walls, floors, roofs, and even crystal decorations and statues carved in salt. Once you visit the mines, it is possible to touch everything to feel.
You will find wooden beams inside the tunnels, and are generally the dozens of sculptures and reliefs across the mine. The wood was adopted to safeguard the ceilings and walls manufactured from salt, which is why 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 look like glass however are actually giant salt crystals from rock salt which have been dissolved and reconstructed.
3. Wieliczka is Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site
In 1978, the Wieliczka Salt Mines in Poland was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage list plus the historic city centre of Krakow. It really is one of many oldest mines on the planet.
The oldest document confirms its existence extends 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 stipulations from the mines weren’t the very best. So, the miners created four chapels to hope in. The mine will be the only 1 with the underground church in Europe.
Among the chapels was the Chapel of St. Kinga, probably the most impressive the main salt mines. It took control of 30 years for several men to complete the chapel removing approximately 20,000 tonnes of salt.
Holy masses are finished even today on the occasion from the name day’s St. Kinga and xmas. There is also a large salt statue in honour of St. Kinga, which you could also see several of the chandeliers using rock salt crystal.
5. In the center Age, Wieliczka Salt Mining Generated one third of Poland’s Income
The wages from salt mining taken into account another with the salary of the royal treasury in Poland. Salt was considered a noble metal and it was called “White gold”.
During that time, many transactions were paid using salt and work, and that’s why nowadays, the word “salary” is employed to explain earnings.
Due to salt income, tenement houses and royal residences were built. This made a fortune for families with names growing away from salt.
6. The Mines have numerous Unique Machinery and Structure
You can find the world’s largest mining machines made of wood, a horse treadmill from the 17th century and also the horn of miners in the miner’s brotherhood from 1534. In the 17th century, the first horse was delivered to the salt mine.
The few things within the mine that weren’t made from salt were buckets, winches, mining tools and some sculptures created from wood. Salt is a great preservative and a lot of tools and apparatus are still in excellent.
7. Hot Air Ballooning and Sailing Have Took Place inside the Mine
A warm air balloon was lifted 65 feet up and running for four minutes in 2014. However, there is absolutely no proof of that online outside their internet site.
Also, sports activities happened within the mines, including soccer games and windsurfing on Subterrain Lake. Some areas may be hired out for formal dinners, weddings, and also concerts.
8. The Mine is Deep
The cheapest area of the mine is 1073 feet underground along with the total entire mine tunnel is 178 miles.
Easy and simple option to the mines may be the tourist route, which allows you to begin to see the beauty of the mine and the most crucial areas of it. The gap is 3.5 kilometres and also the depth you may reach is 135 meters.
Most rocks within the mine have a very dull grey look; however, in certain batches, the salts look fluffy white. The miners nicknamed this cauliflower.
9. The Mines Have Been Featured in Culture
In 1995, Preisner’s Music, a compilation of film music by Polish composer Zbigniew Preisner was recorded by Sinfonia Varsovia in the Wieliczka mines chapel. Also, in 1999 in america, the Wieliczka Salt Mine was featured within a Modern Marvels episode on salt mines.
In the Australian television series Spellbinder: Land from the Dragon Lord, the mines were featured since the Land of the Moloch. The mines in addition have appeared on multiple editions of a reality show; The astounding Race, The spectacular Race Australia 1 and more.
10. Breath Healthy Air During Your Visit
Mid-air inside the Wieliczka salt mine is free from bacteria, viruses and pollutants. A visit to them can relieve people suffering from respiratory diseases and allergies you’ll take pride in helps cure a hangover.
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