Salt Mines Wieliczka and Bochnia

Bochnia population of 30,000 is one of the oldest cities of Poland, first known source mentioning the city is around 11th century. Bochnia Salt Mine is the oldest salt mine in the world. The mine was established in the 12th century after local people discovered salt rock vein running beneath their town. The mine measure 4,5 kilometres in length and 468 metres in depth at 16 different levels. Salt mine chambers, shafts and passages form an underground town, which is now open to tourists. The largest of the preserved cavern named “Wazyn chamber” has been converted into a sanatorium. The 290 meters deep sanatorium, with its own unique micro climate, is helping cure respiratory diseases. Nearly everything in the mines is carved out of the salt rock: chapels, chambers, statues, and so on...