Wieliczka Salt Mine is incorporated in the capital of scotland- Wieliczka, southern Poland, which lies within the Krakow metropolitan area. In the Neolithic times, table salt was produced here in the upwelling brine.
Nowadays, the mine never extracts salt by mining because extraction stopped in 1996. Salt continues to be manufactured from underground brine, it is then pumped to the surface and become pure evaporated salt.
The mines have become the official Polish Historical Monument and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its attraction includes four chapels, an underground lake, historic salt-mining and labyrinthine technology displays.
Find out about Wieliczka Salt Mine in these top fascinating facts.
1. Wieliczka Salt Mine has ended 700 Years
The history with the Wieliczka Salt mine extends back on the thirteenth century. Brine following to the surface was collected and processed because of its sodium chloride content.
King Casimir II the fantastic contributed greatly on 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 use 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 as a possible underground facility for war-related manufacturing.
2. A lot of the Mine Interior is Made of Salt
This can be a salt mill, in fact. Most tunnels have walls, floors, roofs, and even crystal decorations and statues carved in salt. After you visit the mines, you’ll be able to touch something to feel.
There are wooden beams inside the tunnels, and are generally the many sculptures and reliefs round the mine. The wood was applied to safeguard the ceilings and walls made from salt, which explains why there wasn’t any forest near Wieliczka in the 15th century.
You can find most stunning crystals hanging from numerous chandeliers in the mine. They appear like glass however are actually giant salt crystals from rock salt that have been dissolved and reconstructed.
3. Wieliczka belongs to a UNESCO World Heritage Site
In 1978, the Wieliczka Salt Mines in Poland was placed in the UNESCO World Heritage list alongside the historic city centre of Krakow. It’s one of the oldest mines on the globe.
The oldest document confirms its existence extends back to 1044. The mine site also may include the Wieliczka Saltworks Castle plus 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 wish in. The mine will be the only 1 by having an underground church in Europe.
One of several chapels was the Chapel of St. Kinga, the most impressive section of the salt mines. It took control of 30 years for several men to perform the chapel removing approximately 20,000 tonnes of salt.
Holy masses are finished even now for the occasion with the name day’s St. Kinga and xmas. Gleam large salt statue in honour of St. Kinga, to also see a lot of the chandeliers with their rock salt crystal.
5. At the center Age, Wieliczka Salt Mining Generated one third of Poland’s Income
The wages from salt mining included another with the earnings of the royal treasury in Poland. Salt was considered a noble metal and was called “White gold”.
In that time, many transactions were paid using salt and work, which explains why nowadays, the word “salary” is employed to describe earnings.
As a result of salt income, tenement houses and royal residences were built. This created a fortune for families with names growing away from salt.
6. The Mines have some of Unique Machinery and Structure
You will find the world’s largest mining machines made from wood, a horse treadmill from your 17th century and the horn of miners from the miner’s brotherhood from 1534. In the 17th century, the initial horse was delivered to the salt mine.
The few things in the mine that weren’t manufactured from salt were buckets, winches, mining tools and some sculptures created from wood. Salt is a wonderful preservative and several tools and apparatus continue to be in excellent.
7. Heat Ballooning and Sailing Have Came about in the Mine
A hot air balloon was lifted 65 feet started for four minutes in 2014. However, there is absolutely no evidence that online outside their site.
Also, activities happened in the mines, including soccer games and windsurfing on Subterrain Lake. Some areas can be hired out for formal dinners, weddings, and in many cases concerts.
8. The Mine is Deep
The lowest the main mine is 1073 feet below ground and the total entire mine tunnel is 178 miles.
The easiest route to the mines could be the tourist route, which allows you to see the beauty of the mine and also the most significant areas of it. The length is 3.5 kilometres as well as the depth you will reach is 135 meters.
Most rocks within the mine possess a dull grey look; however, in certain batches, the salts look fluffy white. The miners nicknamed this cauliflower.
9. The Mines Happen to be 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 inside a Modern Marvels episode on salt mines.
From the Australian tv series Spellbinder: Land in the Dragon Lord, the mines were featured because the Land with the Moloch. The mines have appeared on multiple editions of your reality show; The astounding Race, The spectacular Race Australia 1 and more.
10. Breath Healthy Air In your Visit
The air inside the Wieliczka salt mine is free from bacteria, viruses and pollutants. A visit to them can relieve people being affected by respiratory diseases and allergies you’ll take pride in helps cure a hangover.
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