Just outside Krakow is a magnificent little gem called, Wieliczka Sat Mine. So why take a trip to a salt mine in Poland, you ask?....Well....Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the world's oldest operating salt mines, in operation since prehistoric times. Yes, prehistoric times!! The mine is massive, stretching 186 miles (300km) underground and reaching a depth of 1,072 feet (327m). That’s the height of the Chrysler Building in New York! The mine is also famous for all of it's impressive salt sculptures and carvings. Tour prices vary - 52 zloty ($16 USD) for a tour in Polish and 72 zloty ($22 USD) for a foreign tour. And yes, you can't just go down there by yourself! You need a tour guide to help you navigate through the miles of tunnels. And of course, there is a photo taking fee! Darn it, Poland! Thankfully it's not too much, only 10 zloty ($3 USD). Make sure you bring warmer clothes because the average temperature in the tunnels is between 14 - 16C (57 - 60 F). Also comfortable shoes are a must! The tour lasts about 2 hours in which you climb stairs and make your way through 3km of tunnels. A horse stable inside the mine. I should mention it's a depiction and the horses are not real! Horses were actually used in salt mining and remained in the mines for the duration of their entire life. No sun, so sad. The last horse left the mine in 2002 and we were told it's enjoying the remainder of it's life on a green sunny pasture. That's more like it! Besides the numerous salt carvings and statues, there is also a chapel called the St. Kinga's Chapel. It was carved out of a massive green salt block (did you know salt comes in different colors?!) in 1896. It's super impressive! Everything is made out of salt - the chandeliers, the alter, the floor tiles, and of course there is a plethora of carvings and statues all around the chapel! Catholic Mass are even held here on special occasions as well as weddings. Because who wouldn't want to get married in a salt mine! Then, just our luck, since we wandered to a few more salt chambers after the official tour ended, we got stuck going up the elevator with a Korean tour group. I felt like we were back in Japan! We didn't understand a word the tour guide was saying and felt completely lost...that is until the guide turned to us and spoke perfect Polish! Explaining that the elevator will come shortly. Thank you Mr. Korean Tour Guide! Dziekuje!
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