Wieliczka Salt Mines, Kraków, Poland.

The Wieliczka salt mine is a UNESCO world heritage site, discovered in the 13th century and closed in 1978, it receives over 1,000,000 visitors a year. 

You walk 350 steps down and discover 20 salt chiseled rooms, some of which are beautifully decorated. The walk in total is 3.5kms, as well as 420 more steps. You only go to the third level.

And 135 metres below ground.

What can I say about this amazing place, first discovered in the 13th century, when the queen of Poland wanted to bring some riches to Poland, she sent men out to try and find salt.

Created by nature, 15,000,000 years ago.

The mine is over 300 kms long, with 3,000 chambers and 9 floors.

Entry into the mine, who knew what secrets were below.

Rock salt walls, mixed with mud etc, tasted salty.

Our lovely guide who does three tours a day.

All these structures are carved from Rock salt.

Simulation of how the salt was mined

The Rock salt was transported out in big boulders, could weigh tons.

The discovery of salt being presented to the queen.

There are three churches for prayer, underground.

Horses were used for mining, they lived in stables for 5 years, underground as it was difficult to get them topside.

One of the underground lakes, symphony is played here, due to the acoustics.

The main chamber

This was amazing, Chapel St Kinga, 54metre temple, decorated with large salt Rock chandeliers.

The main alter, the floor is carved Rock salt.

The carvings around the wall were done by three miners, very talented.

Kraków, Monuments, Wawel Castle and St Mary's Bascillica.

We travelled from Prague to Kraków on an overnight train, which took 8 hours. Checked into our hotel located in the old town. We are here for three days. Population of Kraków is 700,000 and they have 15,000,000 tourists a year. Everything is geared towards tourism, as this is their main income.

St Peter and Paul church, just across the road from our hotel

The main square, Kraków is quite charming

The town centre is surrounded by a fortified wall, in the early times, there was also a moat.

That surrounded the town.

When you leave Oldtown you walk through these arches in the wall., called Florian's gate.

Entry into the village, Barbican.

The battle of Grunwald in Matejko Square.

This sculpture is of Jam Matejko, a famous polish painter.

We visited Wawel Castle, no photos were allowed inside, what was inside was very impressive with tapestries, metres long, woven with gold and silver. Walls embossed with leather and ornate ceilings.

Beautifully hand carved furniture and very large paintings, so well preserved from the 14th century.

Wawel Castle

St Mary's Bascillica 

One of the most beautiful cathedral that I have seen.

The famous Veit Stuss alter, largest of it's kind and created in 1477 -1487, hand carved and gold leaf.

Awesome ceiling.

Very ornate 

Well worth the visit and had to buy ticket to photograph.

This metal fire breathing dragon is just below Wawel Castle and fire comes from his mouth, 15 after the hour.

I will leave you to ponder, and will return later with more of Kraków, the salt mines and Auswitch.

A photo moment with Jacek Majchrowski, mayor of Kraków and leader of the Jewish community.