“The historic Salt Mine in Wieliczka is the only site in the world where mining has continued since the Middle Ages. Lying on nine levels, its original excavations (longitudinals, traverses, chambers, lakes, as well as lesser and major shafts) stretch for the total of 300 kilometers: reaching the depth of 327 meters they illustrate all the stages of the development of the mining technology over time.” – the quotation comes from the justification of entering the Wieliczka Salt Mine into UNESCO’s 1st World List of Cultural and Natural Heritage on 8th September, 1978 together with 11 other sites from all over the world. The mine is also notable for a long tradition of tourism. The famous breath-taking site has been visited over the centuries by Nicolaus Copernicus, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Alexander von Humboldt, Dimitri Mendeleev, Boleslaw Prus, Ignacy Paderewski, Pope John Paul II, and crowned heads of state, not to mention millions of people from all over the world. Included in the tour is a stunning “underground town” with lakes, passages, and the marvelous St Kinga chapel.

More about the tour: During the tour you will have a chance to visit the twenty historic chambers connected by 2 kilometers of passages. Descent into the mine by staircase (380 steps) to the 1 st Level( at a depth of 64 metres) and return to the surface by lift up the Danilowicz shaft from the 3rd Level (at a depth of 135 meters. The whole tour lasts about 4-5 hours. You will spend around 2 hours in the Salt Mine. If you would like to take photos, you have to buy permission at the entrance to Saint Kinga’s Chapel. During this tour there is no lunch break. If you have bought a student ticket, please do not forget to bring your student card (please do remember that student tickets are only for people under the age of 25). After your arrival back in Krakow, you will be dropped off at your pick up point.