The Krakow Salt Works Museum is one of the largest mining museums in Europe. It was established in 1951 and is a museum of Two Worlds, underground with a large exhibit in the salt mine at a depth of 135m below ground and above ground in the Salt Works Castle (13th to 19th century), the former head office of the mine
FEATURES, ORIGINS, VALUES AND LEGAL PROTECTION
Underground World – the exhibition is located at a depth of 135m, in 17 historic mine workings, worked out in the 19th and early 20th century and entered on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978. The museum has a rich collection of mining technology, including a unique in the world collection of treadmills for horses, an early form of lifting gear which is displayed in its original environment.
A wealthy and diverse amount of exhibits: Specimens of beautiful salt crystals, Neolithic utensils for the production of salt, documents and maps, paintings and sculptures from the non-existent underground chapels, ceremonial mining weapons, a Miner’s Union Horn, a collection of mining lamps and tools illustrating, representing and documenting the various stages of salt production on the Polish lands from prehistory to the 20th century.
Due to their aesthetic and visible qualities and also the clear signs of mining, two mining reserves have been established in the “Saurau” and “Maria Teresa” chambers. It is worth noting that the “Maria Teresa” chamber is the largest of those visited by tourists.
Since 2010, visitors can “meet” Frederic Chopin here thanks to a monument by Prof. B. Chromy, as it is a permanent reminder of 200th anniversary of his birth. He visited the salt mine on 24 July 1829 and this is deepest monument dedicated to this outstanding composer.
In recent years, the exhibition has undergone a major overhaul that resulted in changes to its layout. It is worth seeing the exhibition in its new format.
Overground World – the exhibition in the Salt Works Castle, that has its origins dating back to the 13th century. It was one of the few defensive castles in Europe which are also the seat of administration and business. Today, at the Krakow Salt Works Museum Wieliczka it is worth seeing the medieval tower, the oldest mining shaft from the first half of the 13th century, the “Solniczki - small works of salt art” exhibition, a magnificent armoured strongbox, a wealth of bronze ornaments as well as the Gothic Hall with its array of portraits of mine managers.
INFORMATION:
The Museum’s underground exhibition is included in the cost of the entry ticket to the mine and the Tourist Route.
Office of Tourist Services for the Krakow Salt Works Museum Wieliczka
Booking - Information - Educational programs, events and concerts
tel. / fax +48 12 278 58 49
e-mail: informacja@muzeum.wieliczka.pl
Department of Tourist Organization
Booking Office
Phone: +48 12 278 73 02 or +48 12 278 73 66
e-mail: turystyka@kopalnia.pl
ACCESSIBILITY OF FACILITIES BY VISITORS
The Krakow Salt Works Museum Wieliczka at the mine can be visited in two ways:
With an entry ticket to the mine and the Tourist Route
As part of an educational programme, an event or concert (advance booking required)
The purchased ticket to the mine consists of two independent routes:
The Krakow Salt Works Museum Wieliczka (1 hour tour) and the Tourist Route (approximately 1.5 hours)
Duration of sightseeing tour about 3 hours in total with the route length of about 4km. There is a short break after visiting the first section.
Tourists can only visit the mine with a guide.
The mine can be visited individually or in groups.
The tour is available for the disabled on request.
Foreign-language tourist guide are organised for overseas visitors. There is no need to reserve a tour.
The guide service is available in the following languages: English, German, French, Spanish, Dutch, Japanese, Russian, Italian, Ukrainian, Czech, Slovak, Hungarian as well as Polish and even Sign Language.
Advanced booking is required in the case of groups. Any group without a reservation can only be accepted if there is space in the scheduled tours.
Exhibitions are open to visitors every day:
Summer season (April – October) from 07.30 to 19.30
Winter season (November – March) from 08.00 to 17.00
31st December from 08.00 to 14.00
Easter Saturday the exhibition is open from 07.00 to 13.00
The mine is closed: Easter Sunday, 1st November, 24th and 25th December and 1st January.
The average temperature in the mine is about 14° C with humidity at about 70%.
The Route in the museum is comfortable, electrically lighted and fully accessible to visitors with disabilities.
We recommend comfortable, athletic shoes and warm clothing in the summer.
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