Wieliczka Salt Mine Krakow

Tours and tickets to visit Wieliczka Salt Mines from Krakow

All information about tickets, tours and excursions to the Wieliczka Salt Mines near Krakow. Tips for visiting the Krakow Salt Mine in Poland.

Visit Wieliczka Salt Mine

The Wieliczka Salt Mine, located in the city of Wieliczka 15 kilometres from Krakow, is one of the oldest salt mines in the world. The mine dates back to the 13th century and played an important role in the Polish economy for centuries due to the precious ‘white gold’ it produced. Wieliczka salt was valued not only in Kraków and Poland, but also far beyond its borders. The mine operated continuously for almost seven centuries, until commercial production ceased in 1996.

The origins of salt mining in this area date back to prehistoric times, when surface salt was extracted from saline springs. In the Middle Ages, however, deep drilling began, creating extensive underground tunnel systems. Over the centuries, the Wieliczka Mine was expanded and eventually included hundreds of kilometres of tunnels, with the deepest parts at around 327 metres.

What makes the Wieliczka Mine near Kraków unique is not only its industrial significance, but also the impressive underground architecture and artwork. Over the centuries, miners have carved churches, chapels, statues and even coronation halls out of the salt. The most famous of these is the Chapel of St. Kinga, named after the patron saint of miners, where everything from the altar to the chandeliers is made of salt.

Since 1978, the Wieliczka Salt Mine has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is a popular tourist destination, attracting 1.7 million visitors annually. The mine is also known for its unique microclimate, which is said to be beneficial for breathing, and even has a spa on site. Today, the mine functions primarily as a tourist attraction that tells the rich history of salt mining in Poland.

Wielizka Salt Mine Tour Highlights

A visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine takes you along an impressive 2.2-kilometre route along several unique chambers and tunnels, divided into several levels. The guided tour begins with a descent down a wooden staircase with 380 steps to a depth of approximately 64 metres. You will pass several historical chambers, chapels and underground lakes.

One of the first sights is the Chapel of St. Anthony, one of the oldest chapels in the mine. Further down the mine is the Chapel of St. Kinga, the highlight of the tour, carved entirely from salt by miners and decorated with salt sculptures and crystal chandeliers. Other interesting rooms include the Erazm Barącz Room, with beautiful salt sculptures, and the Michałowice Room, a large, impressive room supported by a wooden structure. Deeper down the mine you will also come to the Underground Museum, which houses exhibits on the history of salt mining and technical innovations over the centuries. At a depth of about 135 metres, the tour ends at an elevator that takes you back to the surface.

Tours & Tickets Wieliczka Salt Mine

Where are the Wieliczka Salt Mines in Poland?