Mining Away

The Wiecliczka Salt Mine is a treasure to behold.  This mine has been mining salt from the 13th century through 2007.  It is 1,073 feet deep, and is over 178 miles long.  To enter the mine, you take 378 steps going straight down, round and round, six steps at a time, until you reach a depth of 210 feet.  (This info was obtained from the link mentioned at the end of this post). Although it is fitted with electrical lights, it was still dark.  There are two more levels that we descended to, and there were six more levels below that that were off limits.

The overwhelming thought as you walk through this, is the time, patience, and tremendous talent it took to create these masterpieces out of salt.  And these men were not trained sculptors, which makes it even more remarkable.

The 378 wooden steps descending down, down, down.
It was like a spiral staircase, but there was a landing after every six steps.

A corridor

Replica of miners

This is one of the floors, also carved from salt.

Salt formation along the walls.

More salt formations that look like cauliflower .

Replica of miner and horse used in the mining process in the 1800's.

Sculpture of a king.

Wooden sculpture of the Crucifixion.

More wall sculptures.

Another view of the one above.  Note the detailed work.

Joseph, Mary and Jesus.

Jesus carrying the cross above the Holy Family.

One of the three altars for church services.

Another altar.

Corner sculpture of the Crucifixion.

The Virgin Mary.

The Last Supper.

Chandelier made of salt.

Me in front of the Last Supper.
Note the walls, ceiling, and floors are all made of salt.

Pope John Paul II, who was born, raised,
and entered the seminary in Krakow.

A closeup of Pope John Paul II

An elaborate structure built to support one of the excavated ceilings.

A beautiful open space, used as a hall for various functions:
weddings, boxing matches, and beauty pageants.

Another view of the hall.

These photos came out better than I expected, but they don't come close to showing how magnificent this place really is.

Below please find a link with some really great pictures.  It's a busy link, with all kinds of stuff on both side, but scroll through the pictures in the middle.  Take special note of the second one.  It is a shot of the cathedral, that is absolutely extraordinary.

http://curioushistory.com/post/55364201693/polish-salt-mine#.UebVBxY_595

I hope you enjoyed this.

As always, thanks for continuing to allow me to share my adventures with you.