One Of Poland’s Biggest Tourist Attractions Is A 13th-Century Salt Mine

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The Wieliczka salt mine, about 10 miles from Krakow in southern Poland, is one of the world’s oldest and largest continually operating mines and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The hollowed-out caverns left from digging for over 7 centuries have been transformed over the years into incredible attractions.

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Over 45 million people have laid eyes on its great halls lit by salt chandeliers, chapels devoted to Polish saints, and walkways built around underground lakes.

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The Mine is also home to the St Kinga’s Chapel, located over 330 feet underground and is one of the biggest attractions in the entire mine.

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The chamber that contains the chapel is about 40 feet high, 60 feet wide and 180 feet long.

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The mine hosts a number of events from weddings, to high-school proms, and school field trips.

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The mine is so large that only 2% it is accessible to visitors.

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Continuous mining stopped in 1996, although some miners are still at work today.

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Their job nowadays is to protect the historic areas of the Mine, fill in post-mining voids in its non-historical parts, as well as manage fresh water leaks.

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Watch the video below for a full tour and more history of the mine!