Wieliczka Salt Mine

The Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the most precious and most fascinating monuments of culture in Poland. Built in the town of Wieliczka, southern Poland, in the 13th century, it produced table salt throughout its existence until 2007. Though the commercial mining stopped in 1996 because of low salt prices and flooding, the mine remained one of the top attractions in Poland with over 1.2 million visitors a year! Tourists from all over Europe and the globe arrive to see for themselves the historic statues and mythical figures that have been carved out of the rock salt by the mine workers. Among other attractions which one can see on a tour of the mine is a real chapel, which is sometimes used for private events, including weddings! In 1978, the Wieliczka Salt Mine was officially listed as the UNESCO World Heritage SIte.