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Wieliczka
By Magdalena Marciniak
Published: June 10, 2008
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The Wieliczka Salt Mine, located in Wieliczka near Krakow is one of the world's oldest operating salt mines. Since the 13^th century, together with the Bochnia Salt Mine it was a part of Żupa Krakowska. The process of salt-making began in Wieliczka about 3500 years BC and belongs to the oldest in Europe. Within seven centuries over 7, 5 million m³ of salt has been mined in this area. The salt sediments of Wieliczka date from the Miocene. As a result of intensive tectonic processes they were moved from their original location. In 1978 the Mine was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List and in 1989 on the List of World Heritage in Danger. Nowadays in non-operating part of the Mine there is the Museum of Żupy Krakowskie, which was established in 1951, and the Underground Rehabilitation and Treatment Centre. The oldest part of the Mine is the Goryszowski Shaft which dates form the 13^th century. The Salt Mine in Wieliczka is the only mining site in the world functioning continuously since the Middle Ages. The history of Wieliczka is a reflection of mining technology progress and development within the space of past years. The mine has nine levels, the first of which reaches the depth of 64 meters and the last 327 meters. The total length of longitudinal traverses, chambers, lakes, as well as minor and major shafts is over 300 km.

One of the most important tourist attractions of the Mine is the St. Kinga's Chapel. The chapel is also called an underground temple for here are held the relics of St. Kinga. The Chapel is located 101 meters below ground level. It is over 54 meters long, 18 meters wide and 12 meters high. In the Chapel there are the sculptures carved in relief presenting some of the most important events of the New Testament such as 'Flight into Egypt', 'The Twelve-years-old Jesus Preaching in the Temple', 'The Last Supper' and over 100 years old crib. The main altar, also called the High Altar, was carved by Józef Markowski. It comprises the sculptures of St. Kinga, St. Joseph and St. Clement. One should also pay attention to amazing chandeliers with salt crystals and a monument of Pope John Paul II, which was carved by a miner and sculptor Stanisław Anioł in rock-salt and presented in 1999. Solemn Mass is celebrated here on special occasions, as well as on 24th July (feast of St. Kinga), on 4th December (feast of St. Barbara) and 24th December (Midnight Mass). Due to unique acoustic features of the St. Kinga's Chapel there are held various concerts, i.e. Blackmore's Night and the concert of Nigel Kennedy.

The characteristic feature of the Mine is its unique microclimate that consists of humidity, high content of sodium chloride and constant temperature (9-12°C). This specific microclimate favors the rehabilitation-treatments in the undergrounds of the Wieliczka Salt Mine 135 meters below ground level.

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