The Underground City of Salt

Upon arriving at Kopalnia Soli Wieliczka, I was immediately struck by the sheer scale of the operation. The mine is truly a massive underground complex of salt chambers, tunnels and salt lakes that date back to the 13th century. Guided by human tour guides, I saw how the underground mine was established, the methods and tools to excavate salt, the dangers faced in mining, and how the miners had to adapt to life underground. It was incredible to see the various salt sculptures and decorations that had been carved over the centuries by generations of miners. I was intrigued to learn about the legends and myths associated with the mine, like the mysteries surrounding Kinga of Poland. I compared this experience with my previous visits to other historical mines and found this salt mine to be unique.