It is hard to believe anyone would be interested in visiting a salt mine today but when the mine happens to be one of the oldest in the world and also happens to be home to one of the wonders of the world, it seems logical to see millions of tourists from around the world coming over to Krakow in Poland to see and explore the mine and the underground chapel called the Blessed Kinga. Though Polish government is shutting down all old mines, this one remains one of the most popular and conserved mines that also happens to be on UNESCO’s list of Cultural and Natural heritages of the world. If you are on a week long trip to this beautiful East European country, try renting one of the Warsaw apartments and then proceed to Krakow from where the salt mine is very close. The reason I suggest staying in apartments is because they are not only inexpensive, they give more freedom and privacy than expensive hotels in the city. The trend all over Europe is the same and that is why an apartment in London or an apartment in Budapest is a lucrative business these days.
The importance of Wieliczka Salt Mine should be understood thinking about medieval times when salt was like petrol of today and merchants made huge sums of money selling salt. The mine was started in 13th century but the world got to know about it only in the 17th century by the accounts given by a traveling Frenchman. Since then, Wieliczka Salt Mine has been visited by not only millions of tourists but also celebrities and royalties of the world. The mine still produces salt making it the 2nd oldest salt mines in the world. Interestingly, the oldest mine is also in Poland near Krakow.
Reaching the salt mine is not difficult as it lies in the southeast outskirts of Krakow city. Just take a bus to the salt mine from the old post office in Krakow though checking on the exact departure time is advisable. As the mine falls in between the route of the bus, ask a friendly Pole to let you get off the bus at the right stop.
When you get to the place, the guide of the mine asks you to enter the mine through a staircase that makes you feel as if you are going to the center of the earth. Chapel of the Blessed Kinga is the major attraction of the mine though there are other smaller chapels. What is astonishing is the fact that the chapel has been made not by any outsider by miners who worked inside the mine. As you have to take a guided tour, you are supposed to stop at a place for as much time as is allotted to other tourists.
Be prepared to walk around 2 KM and the entire tour takes about 34 hours to complete. The mine also houses a museum of mining that contains exhibits of ancient equipment used for mining.