Wieliczka Salt Mine – in the kingdom of salt
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the oldest and most important mines in the Małopolska region. It has an incredible history, and it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Visited by millions of tourists from all over the world, it is a treasure trove of knowledge and adventure.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine can be explored in two ways: using the Tourist Route or the Mining Route. The tourist version of the tour allows you to wander along marked routes underground and admire the beautiful chambers, salt sculptures and numerous chapels. Particularly impressive is the Chapel of St Kinga. The salt temple is awe-inspiring due to the structures and figures carved in the salt. In addition, here, you can listen to Chopin's music, admire the salt lakes, learn about the mysteries of the underground world, and listen to mining stories and anecdotes.
The Mining Route, on the other hand, is an option for real explorers. In the darkness of the mine, participants take on the role of adept underground tradespeople and explore the area around the oldest surviving part of the mine, the Regis Shaft. Great entertainment and a rush of adrenaline are guaranteed!
Bochnia Salt Mine – 800 years of history
The Bochnia Salt Mine is another wonderfully beautiful pearl of Małopolska. It is a unique testimony to the historical mining of salt and an excellent tourist attraction that delights children and adults alike. This is one of the oldest mines in Poland, dating back to the Middle Ages!
One of the main attractions of the Bochnia Mine issomething unique in the world–a boat trip through a salt-flooded chamber. Two rafters accompanying the tourists colourfully narrate the mysterious nooks and crannies while guiding the tourists through the unusual 120-metre-long route. The cruise takes place in 12-person boats, during which the underground world of the Bochnia Mine shows its raw but beautiful face.
The Bochnia Salt Mine offers not only accommodation but also a trial of character. The historic route 'The Old Mountains Expedition' is for the brave and offers an opportunity to test your strength in squeezing through rough and tight caves. The tour follows the trail of the oldest medieval workings of the Bochnia Mine, which have never been accessed before.
Olkusz – the capital of medieval mining
Olkusz is one of the oldest towns in Małopolska. It was established as a mining settlement extracting silver ores. It was granted a town charter in the 13th century, and its development was mainly linked to silver and lead mining. Thanks to this, Olkusz was nicknamed the 'silver city' and was referred to as the cradle of Polish mining.
In the Middle Ages, a key trade route from Kraków to Wrocław ran through the town. During the reigns of Stefan Batory and Sigismund III Vasa, a mint operated in Olkusz, and Olkusz silver supplied the royal treasury.
Although Olkusz is no longer a thriving mining centre today, it is worth a visit to learn about its fascinating history. For centuries, the region's miners have formed a strong professional community based on distinct norms and customs handed down from generation to generation. The Trail of Olkusz Miners will guide you through the fascinating history of mining in the region. Put Olkusz on your list of places worth seeing in the Małopolska region.
On the Tatra Mountains mining trails
Mining in the Tatra Mountains also has a rich history, dating back to the 13th century. The search for valuable minerals began in the mountains, and in the 14th century, gold was exploited from river sediments, mainly in the Tatra valleys. From the 15th century, bullion mining began in the Tatras, extracting quartz veins containing small amounts of gold. There were even gold mines here, which operated until 1788.
Copper and silver mining was carried out in the Ornak region, supported by kings Alexander Jagiellon and Sigismund the Old. Rich iron ore deposits were discovered here in the 18th century, and their exploitation continued until the end of the 19th century. The last mining work in the Tatra Mountains took place in the 1950s when strategic raw materials such as uranium were being sought.
Today, traces of the mining period in the Tatra Mountains can be found when walking along the Kościeliska Valley, Droga pod Reglami or visiting Kuźnice. While in Zakopane, be sure to visit the Tatra Museum to learn
about the history of Tatra mining and see the exhibits that once accompanied the miners in their mining work.