Trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine

The volunteers had the opportunity to visit one of the most unique places in Poland – the Wieliczka Salt Mine, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This extraordinary site, whose history dates back to the 13th century, has been astonishing visitors from all over the world for years with its beauty and the mysterious atmosphere of its underground corridors.

During the tour, the participants descended several hundred meters underground, walking through a labyrinth of passages and chambers. Each stage of the route presented a different part of the mine’s history – from the beginnings of salt extraction, through medieval mining techniques, to more modern times. Numerous exhibitions showcased old mining tools and machinery, models, and reconstructions illustrating the miners’ daily lives and hard work.

The highlight of the visit were the underground chapels, the most famous being the Chapel of St. Kinga – a monumental hall carved entirely out of salt, adorned with beautiful chandeliers, sculptures, and reliefs. It is considered one of the most stunning underground sacred spaces in the world and is the very heart of the Wieliczka mine.

Along the route, the group also visited other remarkable chambers, such as the Michałowice Chamber, featuring an impressive wooden structure several meters high, and the Weimar Chamber, with one of the underground lakes whose turquoise waters create a magical atmosphere. Memorable parts of the tour also included multimedia exhibitions and displays of salt sculptures and artworks, showing how the Wieliczka underground combines history, culture, and nature into one coherent experience.

The trip concluded with a shared lunch.