A dreary overcast day – perfect for some time underground! So I went to the Wieliczka Salt Mine for a tour. The van picked me up at 10:00 am, and then seven additional folks (all American!). After a 30 minute ride we arrived at the mine.
NOTE: After 2 1/2 hours underground in salt, I am now well preserved.
This salt mine is 750 years old, although they stopped mining here in 1996. There are a number of others still operating in Poland.
From the surface, we descended 800 steps to levels 1, 2, and 3 (of the 9 levels in the mine), to almost 500 feet below the surface. The 9th level is another 600 feet down.
Our guide, Patricia, was fabulous. Full of facts and very funny!
GUIDE: As we were walking down the steps, she told our group, “Yes, it’s hotter here, maybe we are getting closer to hell!
GUIDE: Talking about how immense the mine is, she said, “Do not get lost, because we will not look for you. We are allowed to lose 10% of our visitors every year!”
Fun Facts
- There are 180 miles of passages in the mine, and we only saw 1% of it!
- At one time 36% of state income came from the salt mines.
- A fire one time burned for 8 months in the mine – they cannot use water to fight fires in a salt mine.
- Salt has even been used as currency.
- Mining salt was a much easier than other types of mining. And salt miners had healthy lungs.
- Once a year, firemen have a competition running up from the 2nd level to the surface in full gear and masks.
GUIDE: “And I want to marry the winner!”
GUIDE: “Later you can touch it and even pinch some off and put it in your pocket. But be careful at the airport, you will look suspicious.”
GUIDE: “If you hear any loud sounds in the mine, just turn and watch the guide. If she runs, then be scared and follow!”
INTERIOR DECOR – 17TH CENTURY
GUIDE: “If you have a troublemaker with you, let me know and I can find a place to leave them.”
The very large Saint Kinga’s Chapel – Founded in 1896 in a Chamber dating back to 1862!
The lake on 2nd level, over 300 feet down, is super saturated with salt many times more salty than sea water and it does not damage the salt like regular water does.
We took a break in a large chamber that had souvenirs, snacks, and drinks.
GUIDE: “You can get some traditional miner drinks, like Fanta.”
GUIDE: “You can have a big Polish dinner tonight. You have been burning calories!”
GUIDE: “That was a very interesting story, but you will have to take it with a pinch of salt!”
The elevator to the surface only took 40 seconds, but it was in a traditional miners elevator. Nine of us squished together in a very tiny, cramped cage! AND YES, it was definitely better than climbing back up 800 steps!
After the van brought us back to our hotels, I decided to get an early dinner since the weather is supposed to be really bad tonight.
I popped into a traditional Polish cafeteria a block from the apartment. Excellent and inexpensive – just the way I like it!
And tomorrow morning it’s on to Warsaw!
Words of wisdom, or just to amuse…?
Actual great opportunities do not have “Great Opportunities” in the subject line.
A Captain’s Adventures 