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There is a museum in the disused part of the world's oldest rock salt mine, Żupa Krakowska. Since 1861, it has been collecting artefacts, which are now available to tourists. A 25-minute walk from the Salt Hotel will take you to the Saltworks Castle, where you can admire impressive exhibitions featuring over 20,000 exhibits.
The story of salt boiling and mining
The Żupa Krakowska Museum in Wieliczka is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It combines the history of salt boiling and mining, unique art and fascinating technology.
As mentioned, the museum's origins date back to the mid-19th century. However, the breakthrough came 90 years later, initiated by Alfons Długosz, an artist, social activist and professor at the Wieliczka Gymnasium. Thanks to his determination, the first exhibits were collected, which became the nucleus of the Krakow Saltworks Museum in Wieliczka. Together with miners, Długosz began exploring the forgotten corridors of the mine, which were destined to be filled in. He saved priceless mining tools, fossils and many other historical artefacts.
The first exhibition was opened on 2 December 1951 in the ‘Warszawa’ chamber. In the following years, it was expanded – and so it has been until the present day.
The underground kingdom in the mine
The main part of the museum exhibition is the underground kingdom on the third level of the Wieliczka Salt Mine. It is located at a depth of 135 m and covers an area of 7,481 sq m. It is the largest underground museum in Europe. Tourists have the opportunity to stroll through the historic excavations, travelling back in time and admiring the unique mining open-air museum.
The most valuable element of this collection are the world's only former wooden hoisting machines, which became the prototype for the creation of steam and electric machines. The exhibits also include:
The most valuable part of this collection are the world's only old wooden hoisting machines, which became the prototype for the creation of steam and electric machines. The exhibits also include:
- mining tools,
- salt specimens,
- mine plans from the 17th and 18th centuries,
- geological models,
- mineral collections,
- mining-themed paintings, including works by Piotr Stachiewicz and Matejko,
- collections from the former Salt Museum, including the Miners' Guild Horn and miners' uniforms.
New chambers have also been opened to visitors, including the multimedia chapel of St. John Paul II.
Medieval Saltworks Castle
The museum has a second, equally important exhibition in the medieval Saltworks Castle. It is the historic seat of the mine's management, which was also inscribed on the UNESCO Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 2013. For 700 years, the salt company's management operated from this location.
In the castle courtyard, you can see the oldest exploration shaft in Wieliczka from the mid-13th century, a tower from the 14th century and fragments of defensive walls. The restored interiors of the Castle feature exhibitions dedicated to the history of the town of Wieliczka:
- a collection of salt shakers,
- archaeological exhibitions,
- and the impressive Gothic Hall.
Offer for individual tourists and school groups
The Krakow Saltworks Museum is open to everyone. The institution prepares shows, organises workshops, interesting lessons, lectures and even competitions for children and young people. It also becomes a venue for outdoor events, initiating various projects, such as a horse-drawn carriage trip along the old salt route.
The Krakow Salt Works Museum in Wieliczka is a place where history comes alive underground and above ground. It is a must-see on the tourist map of Małopolska, offering a comprehensive view of Poland's salt heritage.
Located about 1.5 km from the Salt Hotel, the museum is waiting for you! Get ready for a journey that will not only delight you but also broaden your knowledge of one of Europe's most valuable monuments!