Tourist Sights The City of Salt in Wieliczka Poland

About the unique tourist sight the City of Salt in Wieliczka, Poland, location, description, and history of the site.

TOUR OF UNIQUE SITES AND SIGHTS IN THE WORLD

POLAND

WIELICZKA (VYALITCHKA)

Sight: The City of Salt.

Beneath the city of Wieliczka is one of the largest and finest salt mines in the world. It has been in operation since the 11th century, yielding an average of 60,000 tons a year. There are seven levels, the lowest of which is at 1,000 ft. These levels are connected by broad stairways carved from rock salt and by 80 mi. of hallways. Horse-drawn railway cars are plentiful, and once in the mine, horses never see the light of day again.

The city of salt has winding streets, pillared churches, shrines, hand-carved salt crystal chandeliers, restaurants, railway stations, and monuments. There are 16 lakes and many canals, some with living fish. Ferries carry workmen and visitors across the lakes, one of which is 400 ft. by 800 ft. The Chapel of St. Anthony, ornately carved of rock salt, is 100 ft. high and 100 ft. long.

Other caverns contain the Chapel of Corpus Christi, a huge ballroom, and a museum. Statues include St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Anthony, and St. Francis. Over the centuries, these works of art have not lost any sharpness of feature.

Location: Wieliczka, Poland, 9 mi. southeast of Krakow.

Seeing It: Unscheduled tours. Check with office of Wieliczka mine.

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