Wieliczka Salt Mine

Wieliczka Salt Mine Museum – a fascinating underground journey near Młyn Jacka Hotel&SPA****

1. Introduction – an extraordinary underground adventure within 1 h

If during your stay at **Młyn Jacka Hotel&SPA **** you dream of an exceptional experience that combines history, technique, and nature in one place, be sure to plan a trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine Museum. It is one of Poland's most important tourist attractions, located about 1 hour by car from the hotel, which will take you deep underground – literally and figuratively – into the world of the old salt mine and its fascinating secrets.

2. History of the mine – the salt heritage of Lesser Poland

The Wieliczka Salt Mine is an above-ground and underground museum of salt mining history, which operated continuously from the 13th century until 1996 as an active rock salt mine. Its development and operation had great significance for the economy of the region and Poland as a whole – salt was for centuries a valuable export commodity and a source of income for the royal treasury.

Today, the site functions as the Żupy Krakowskie Wieliczka Museum, which preserves the traditions of mining and the salt industry and showcases extraction techniques, tools, and the history of miners who explored the rich salt deposits over centuries.

3. What you will see during your visit – underground and above ground

The Wieliczka Salt Mine Museum offers a unique combination of underground tour routes and above-ground museum exhibitions. During your visit, you can expect unforgettable attractions:

• Tourist Route (underground) – the main part of the tour leads through underground corridors and chambers at depths of up to approx. 135 m. The route includes about 2.2 km of underground passages full of salt formations, picturesque lakes, sculptures, and the unique St. Kinga's Chapel – one of the most beautiful underground chapels in the world, entirely carved from salt.

• Museum Route and above-ground exhibitions – on the surface and in the Żupny Castle, collections related to the history of salt mining, old mining tools, machines, and the daily lives of the miners who worked here are displayed. These collections provide a complete picture of what work and salt mining technology looked like throughout the centuries.

This place delights both history lovers, families with children, and those seeking extraordinary tourist experiences.

4. Practical information for hotel guests

• Access and location:
The Wieliczka Salt Mine Museum is located in Wieliczka, near Krakow, so from Młyn Jacka Hotel&SPA **** you will get here in about 1 hour by car. It’s a great option for a day trip, which can be combined with a visit to Krakow or other regional attractions.

• Duration of the tour:
The tourist route usually takes 2–3 hours, and if you add the museum part and above-ground exhibitions, the whole program can take up to half a day. Due to the length of the routes and the number of stairs, it’s worth planning comfortable footwear and enough time for a comfortable visit.

• For whom?:
The mine is an attraction for guests of all ages – from families with children to seniors – although the underground route requires some physical effort. Parts of the route have interpretations in various languages and guides, enriching the experience and facilitating understanding of the site's history.

5. Summary – why it's worth visiting the Wieliczka Salt Mine

The Wieliczka Salt Mine Museum is a place definitely worth visiting during your stay at **Młyn Jacka Hotel&SPA ****. This underground pearl of Lesser Poland combines history, culture, technique, and nature, offering visitors a unique experience.

• Proximity: only about 1 hour's drive from the hotel, making the trip easy to organize even within one day.
• Unique history: learn about the history of one of the most important and oldest salt mining centers in Europe.
• Extraordinary underground architecture: impressive corridors, salt sculptures, and St. Kinga's Chapel are attractions you won't find anywhere else.
• Education and adventure: it’s not just a museum – it’s an adventurous journey through centuries of mining history and human work underground.