The Wieliczka Salt Mine

So we headed out on Saturday to the Wieliczka Mines. A word of advice, take the normal bus or get a taxi as the bus from opposite Wawel is a rip off. The mines were a huge source of income for the area and are rich in rock salt, apparently due to a salty sea which used to cover the area and which deposited the salt outside a small town called Wieliczka.
The mines are by guided tour only but I have to say the crowds were well catered for. You start by plunging down a steep stairwell and the tour takes in some sights. The miners spent much of their days in the mine and to pass the time carved many different things out of the salt. The guide was adamant that all the carvings were made by miners and not professional artists, save for some of the newer ones.
The tour takes in the deepest and largest underground "chapel", (St. Kinga's) which is more like a cathedral really. Later on one is treated to a ghost story and a delight for the ears. As I always say pictures paint a thousand words.

The lift gear	Looking back up the stairwell
The statue of Copernicus	All the chambers are named and the excavation date displayed
One of the more ornate chapels
The salty embodiment of the legend of the formation of the mines	A tribute to the "burners"
King Kazimir	Looking down at the walkway
The most precarious of stairs	Beccy, Gill & Ed
The gnomes are a good luck charm for miners
St. Kinga's Chapel	Our Salty Lady (lit internally)
One of the many alcoves	Beccy with the Altar behind
Looking up into the salt crystal chandelier	The altar of St. Kinga
Gill and Ed in front of the Last Salty Supper	A local hero
Two traditional miners	One of the underground lakes.

So there we have it. 2.5 miles later we emerged using the 4 level lift: cozy!