Listening to 'Salt: A History' on my way to work this morning reminded me of one of the most amazing mines I've ever visited: Wieliczka in Poland, which is around 15km from Krakow and has been operating for centuries (built in 13th C) right up until 2007, when falling salt prices and mine floods made commercial mining no longer viable.
After descending 378 tiny stairs 64m deep into the ground -- it is 327m deep -- you reach a 3km series of tunnels, beautifully laid out, with intricate salt carvings, and even a cathedral (54m x 17m x 12m high), with everything, even the chandelier, being made from salt. It stretches an impressive further 287 km into various chambers and tunnels, some used by the Germans in World War II for various military industries.
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Because of the mine's importance in Polish history (and also that of the empires that controlled it), there have been many famous visitors over the centuries, from royals to scientists (such as Copernicus), musicians (such as Chopin), popes, presidents, and more. And why not -- with its own performing band and supposedly the best acoustics of any area in Europe, it is built to impress!
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'The Last Supper' |
Update November 2013: Apparently the mine has ceased producing Salt and has been turned into a tourist resort with hotels and a theme park of sorts. You can read more about it here.
Source: Lonely Planet Eastern Europe 8th Edition http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wieliczka_Salt_Mine