This is the oldest salt mine in Poland. It was established in 1248 in Bochnia near Krakow. Currently, ‘white gold’ is no longer mined there. Since 1990, the facility has been a tourist attraction. In 2013, it was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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Salt mine in Bochnia – photos
We have already been to several mines, but in our opinion the one in Bochnia is the most natural and authentic. Was it worth visiting? Of course. And not only because of its natural and travel values. Remember that visiting the salt mine is also a kind of visit to a SPA with invaluable health properties for the entire body (especially for the human lung).
This extraordinary underground tour starts at the Campi shaft. Here we meet our guide and receive mining equipment. These are not only colorful helmets, as in other mines, but also our own flashlights and absorbers. With them, we are not afraid of any potential threat. Then a short instruction in the use of these gadgets at the rescue station and we can start our ‘mystery tour’.
From the Campi shaft we take a small bus to the Sutoris shaft. It is located right next to the city square. The ride lasts only a few minutes, which the guide uses to tell an interesting story about the history of the salt industry in Bochnia. We get off at the very entrance to the Sutoris shaft, where the ‘descent into the depths of the Earth’ will soon begin. Ahead of us is the newest tourist trail in the Bochnia mine, the multi-sensory route ‘Salt Witness’ (Polish: ‘Solny Świadek’).
When choosing this sightseeing route, remember that it is intended for people over 15 years of age. It is also good to be relatively physically fit, because at the beginning you will have to go down 364 steps. And the further into the mine, the more difficulties you will encounter on the road. Narrow corridors, low ceilings and steep stairs are an inherent element of this underground journey. Sounds interesting, doesn’t it?
What surprised us in the Bochnia mine was the approach to safety. Specifically, exceptional care for it. Before we set off, there was a short presentation regarding (among other things) the threats lurking underground. It made us think not only about caution, but also made us realize how risky the work of a miner is. Don’t worry, a tourist’s ‘work’ is only a safe pleasure. Well, maybe apart from climbing those steps.
From time to time, your vigilance will be tested by the low ceiling. Be careful, because a close encounter with such a beam, even when wearing a helmet, will echo loudly in your head. By the way: have you ever wondered why a salt mine uses wood instead of the more solid iron or steel? The answer is quite simple: wood breaks at a slow pace, producing a characteristic creaking sound. It effectively warned miners about a potential collapse of the walls or ceiling.
We’ve already covered the general information. It’s time to show you the best – in our opinion – attractions that can be found on the ‘Salt Witness’ (aka ‘Solny Świadek’) route. One of them is undoubtedly Saint Kinga’s ring. There is a well-known Polish legend associated with it. Do you know where ‘white gold’ came from in Bochnia? Many scientists claim that complex geological processes took place here, but for us this version would be too logical. We prefer the one contained in the famous legend.
It tells the story of the Hungarian princess Kinga. The young girl was to marry the Polish prince Bolesław the Chaste. She wondered for a long time what to take to Poland as a dowry. Finally the princess came up with a very practical idea. Kinga wanted to give her future subjects a valuable gift – salt deposits. So she threw her ring down a mine shaft in Hungary. In this magical, inexplicable way, salt deposits teleported to the vicinity of Krakow. How did this happen? We do not know. But this story must be true, since Kinga later found her ring in the mine – exactly the one she threw into the Hungarian shaft. And which you can admire in the photo above.
We respect Princess Kinga for this unique gift. Without it, Poland would be much poorer both economically (in the past) and touristically (today). And we probably wouldn’t have the opportunity to admire the extraordinary underground labyrinth of corridors, in which something surprised us at every step. Sometimes a sudden flood, other times an unexpected encounter with the ‘good spirit’ of the mine. These attractions, although virtual, seem very realistic.
During a visit to the Bochnia mine, salt accompanies us all the time in various forms. ‘White gold’ literally covers walls, ceilings and even stairs. It looks really fabulous! Sometimes it settles in the form of irregular cauliflowers. Sometimes there are stalactites hanging from the ceiling, shimmering in the dark. Other times it takes the form of thin needles, commonly called ‘Saint Kinga’s hair’. In places it can even glow in the dark! Regardless of its shape, ordinary salt looks amazing here.
The ‘Salt Witness’ route is not only a walk in the twilight along narrow, steep corridors, but also a huge dose of knowledge about mining in general. During the underground journey, we learned, for example, what the paintings on the walls mean. Well, none of these lines were created by accident. Their author is the foreman, i.e. ‘miners’ manager’. Each of them separates stages of miners’ work. Thus proving how tedious and demanding this profession was.
While nowadays even tourists are equipped with basic protective equipment in the event of fire, flooding or the escape of harmful gases, many years ago a miner’s working outfit was relatively ‘modest’. You can see that by examining the contents of one of the showcases placed along the route. And this is just one of the roadside attractions waiting for you.
During our visit to the mine, we also met… a real, tough snowman. But not from snow. In Polish, a huge piece of salt in the shape of a cylinder has the same name as the winter figure. This form enabled rolling and thus facilitated transportation. Depending on their size, they weighed from several hundred kilograms to over one tonne. Considering that the gold-salt exchange rate was 1:1 in the Middle Ages, for the equivalent of a single snowman you could buy a herd of cattle or an entire village.
On the “Salt Witness” tourist route, we were also accompanied by a group of famous Polish historical figures. Biographies of such national heroes as General Leopold Okulicki or Captain Witold Pilecki are connected with Bochnia. The first of them was educated here, and the second – hid in the ‘salt city’ after escaping from the Auschwitz concentration camp. But these are, of course, not everyone whose profiles appear in the mine gallery. In our opinion, such an ‘avenue of merit’ is a great tribute to them.
For those who prefer scientific experiments to history, the salt mine has prepared a kind of experimental station. In the underground laboratory, you will find that inconspicuous salt is responsible for many chemical processes. In addition to observing experiments visible in the photo, visitors can also take advantage of interactive entertainment. And all this in extraordinary natural circumstances.
Although we associate salt primarily with a commonly available white powder, it can actually come in many different colors. We found this out by looking into the display case shown in the photo below. Different colors of rock salt are usually due to the admixture of other substances or structural defects. One of the rarest types of salt ore is the blue variety. It looks exceptional!
Wandering further along the multi-sensory ‘Salt Witness’ route, we suddenly come across… an underground disco. It turns out that this large cave (equipped with appropriate lighting, sound system and dance floor) is used for many special events. You can organize here a sporting event, a company retreat, a grand wedding or a high school prom. And all this in a unique climate – we mean both the underground atmosphere and spa values.
Our curiosity was also piqued by the sleeping chamber. No, these are not beds for those who are too tired from the party. 😉 It turns out that the mine in Bochnia organizes overnight stays for tourists. They include a tour combined with an accommodation in the Ważyn chamber carved in salt. What is it like to sleep 250 meters underground? We didn’t get to check it, but it must be an unforgettable adventure.
Have you ever wondered where the name of the ‘Salt Witness’ tourist route comes from? The answer to this question is a bit metaphorical. The Bochnia Salt Mine, which has existed since the Middle Ages, has witnessed many events in the history of Poland. It stood here invariably both when our country was experiencing its glory days, as well as during partitions and world wars. Thanks to its durability, it has survived to this day. Images of such symbolic salt witnesses can be found near one of several religious places located in the mine.
The heart of the Bochnia mine is undoubtedly the Chapel of St. Kinga. Won’t we show it to you in its entirety on purpose? Yes, we must leave a vein of mystery. Let us just say that there is a huge salt chandelier, a monument to John Paul II, and a beautiful altar with a golden glow. Interesting fact: if you are looking for an original wedding idea, you can get married in the Bochnia chapel. But that’s not all – every year on Holy Saturday, an underground food blessing takes place here.
Chapel of St. Kinga is the only high place in Poland with actively operating tracks. The Kuba mine railway runs through it. It owes its name to the last horse working here, which retired in 1961. We don’t know how dynamic Kuba himself was. What we do know is that its yellow namesake rushes through the mine at a dizzying speed of 2 meters per second. And it’s been like this for over 20 years! We recommend this ride, you can really feel the wind in your hair.
Well, it’s time to say goodbye to ‘Salt Witness’. At the end, we went to the surface in a real mining elevator. If you haven’t had the opportunity to use this attraction before, you will probably be surprised how this lift looks and works like. ‘Salt Witness’ surprised us with the large number of attractions. The four-hour underground walk passed in the blink of an eye. We emerged from the underground healthier and richer in knowledge.
Bochnia Salt Mine – 3 most important characters
While walking around the salt mine in Bochnia, luck was definitely on our side. We managed to come across some extraordinary characters, without whom the trip could have been successful, but much poorer. Are you curious who we are talking about?
Number 1 – Saint Kinga
If we believe the legends (actually, we have no reason not to believe them), without this noble princess there would be neither salt, nor mine, nor us here. This charming woman is living proof of the health-promoting, preservative properties of ‘white gold’. Just look at her face – several hundred years underground, and her skin is still smooth, radiant and well-groomed.
Number 2 – Skarbek aka Skarbnik (good spirit of the mine)
This caring spirit of the mine keeps order in the underground, looks after the souls of deceased miners and guards the local treasures. It favors good, honest and hard-working people. Despite his friendly appearance, he can also be strict – especially when he meets someone evil, lazy or stingy. He took a photo with us and gave us a small lump of salt – so we have no doubts which of the above groups we belong to.
Number 3 – Mr. Jakub Sitko, The Guide
It has long been known that the key to successful guided tours is… a good guide. We didn’t even dream of having such a nice companion, but fortunately, fate put him on our sightseeing route. Mr. Jakub is a great, interesting, smiling and funny storyteller who told us a lot of interesting facts about the Bochnia. He also showed us the mysterious nooks & crannies of the underground. Thank you!
Salt mine in Bochnia – ‘Salt Witness’ route – tickets
Ticket prices for the multi-sensory tourist route ‘Salt Witness’ are as follows:
- Normal individual ticket: PLN 81 (January-March, November-December) or PLN 95 (April-October).
- Reduced individual ticket: PLN 67 (January-March, November-December) or PLN 75 (April-October).
- Family ticket:
- 2+1 – PLN 180 (January-March, November-December) or PLN 205 (April-October).
- 2+2 – PLN 231 (January-March, November-December) or PLN 262 (April-October).
- 2+3 – PLN 283 (January-March, November-December) or PLN 320 (April-October).
- 1+2 – PLN 167 (January-March, November-December) or PLN 188 (April-October).
- 1+3 – PLN 218 (January-March, November-December) or PLN 245 (April-October).
- Organized groups (minimum 15 people):
- Regular ticket: PLN 72 (January-March, November-December) or PLN 80 (April-October).
- Reduced ticket: PLN 62 (January-March, November-December) or PLN 70 (April-October).
- Organized school groups: PLN 49 (January-March, November-December) or PLN 54 (April-October).
Bochnia Salt Mine – ‘Salt Witness’ – visiting hours
- The ‘Solny Świadek’ sightseeing route is available to individual tourists on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 09:30.
- Organized groups of at least 15 people can go on a trip on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays. Advance reservation required. Available visiting hours are: 8:30, 9:00, 9:30.
- Tours for people with disabilities take place on Tuesdays at 10:30.
Salt mine in Bochnia – ‘Salt Witness’ – visiting time
The underground adventure, codenamed ‘Salt Witness’, lasted almost 4 hours.
The tour started at 09:30. The distribution of equipment and instruction at the rescue station took about half an hour. A few minutes after 10 a.m. we were at the Sutoris shaft. We reached the surface about 1:30 p.m.
Bochnia Salt Mine – access
The Bochnia Salt Mine is located approximately 40 km from the center of Krakow.
- Train. The journey from the Main Railway Station in Krakow to the Railway Station in Bochnia will take you from 30 to 45 minutes (IC / Koleje Małopolskie). From here, you are less than 2 kilometers walk from the Campi shaft.
- Bus. Some private buses leave from the parking lot at Wita Stwosza Street. They will take you to Bochnia in about 1 hour. (That’s what people say on the Internet, we didn’t use this mean of transport.)
- Car. From Krakow you can get here in 45-55 minutes. There is a paid, unguarded parking lot on the mine premises. Entry by car costs PLN 10, by bus – PLN 40.
Salt mine in Bochnia – interesting facts and tips
- Did you know that the Bochnia Salt Mine and the Wieliczka Salt Mine, together with the saltworks and the entire industrial infrastructure, make up the ‘Żupy Krakowskie’? It is one of the most profitable and longest-operating enterprises in the history of Poland.
- We decided on the multi-sensory route ‘Sal Witness’ (aka ‘Solny Świdek’) because we like new things. But if you are limited by age or physical fitness, you also have other underground entertainment options to choose from. These include: Tourist route with an Underground Multimedia Exhibition, Family tour of the Treasurer’s Kingdom, health-promoting sessions in the Ważyn Chamber, overnight stays, Underground Ferry Crossing. Something good for everyone. Pick-and-mix.
- During the underground ferry crossing, you can cruise to a depth of 234 meters. There’s basically no way you could drown here – the water is saltier than in the Dead Sea. What’s more, during the trip you will cruise for almost 150 meters in complete darkness.
- A miner’s uniform has 29 buttons. Do you know why? This is how old Saint Barbara, the patroness of miners, was when she died.
Bochnia Salt Mine – reviews
- Patrix – 10/10. I really enjoy exploring mining. This tour was especially fun. The great guide told us how the salt and the mine were the witnesses of thousands of important events in Poland. We also learned how mining has changed over the centuries. We got to know about the work of a miner and how to extract salt. We also saw salt formations that we had never seen before (like Saint Kinga’s hair). We had the opportunity to ride a real mining railway. It was great! I truly recommend.
- Wiolczix – 10/10. What an interesting adventure it was! We were constantly surprised by new attractions along the route. When we set out to conquer the Bochnia mine, it seemed to us that 4 hours was probably a bit too long for one walk. It turned out that on the contrary we could spend even more time here and we wouldn’t be bored at all. Is this thanks to Mr. Jakub, who knows the mine like the back of his hand? For sure. What surprised me the most was the openness of this place to outsiders. Organizing integration events, getting married underground or blessing food for Easter? These initiatives seem to be a great idea, not only to attract tourists from far away, but also to get closer to the local community. PS: Privately, I recommend this trip to all sinus people – after four hours in a natural salt cave, you are guaranteed to clear your upper respiratory tract.
Salt mine in Bochnia – FAQ
How long does a tour of the Bochnia mine take?
The visiting time of the Bochnia Salt Mine depends on the selected tour option. The Multisensory Tourist Route ‘Salt Witness’ (Polish: ‘Solny Świadek’) took us almost 4 hours. The duration of the remaining options is from 3 to a maximum of 4 hours.
What is the temperature in the salt mine in Bochnia?
The temperature in the mine is 15-17 °C with air humidity around 70%. It is worth taking into account the weather conditions underground when choosing appropriate clothing for the trip.
How to dress for visiting the salt mine in Bochnia?
Visitors to the salt mine are advised to wear several layers of clothing. It is worth taking warm clothes (the temperature is 15-17 °C) and comfortable shoes (the ground can be slippery and there are several hundred stairs to climb). We advise against high-heeled shoes and dresses (for women) or moccasins and suits (for men).
What are the benefits of staying in a salt mine?
Visits to the salt mine – especially regular ones – give effects similar to visits to health resorts. In addition to the feeling of mental relief and relaxation, they have a positive effect on health. The underground microclimate helps fight allergies and respiratory diseases (asthma, COPD, chronic sinusitis, recurrent infections). Salt sessions are recommended for both adults and children.
Is the salt mine in Bochnia on the UNESCO list?
Yes, the Bochnia Salt Mine is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The prestigious entry was made on June 23, 2013.
What is interesting in Bochnia?
Bochnia is a small town in Lesser Poland, which has several attractions worth visiting. Of course, number one is the salt mine established in 1248. In addition, it is worth seeing the market square, the Saltworks Castle, the Cats’ Castle Villa, Stanisław Fischer Museum, the Arthropoda Butterfly Museum or St. Nicholas Basilica.
Bochnia Salt Mine – map
The meeting point for visitors to the Bochnia Salt Mine is at the Campi shaft.