Outside Krakow is a 700 year old salt mine so we decided to take a trip there. We were taken down the mine by an English speaking guide and walked down the old main shaft which is now filled with wooden stairs.
The part of the mine that the tourists see is especially set up with lights and paving etc. The mine houses some of the original wooden machinery that was powered by the mine horses.
There are many statues carved from the rock salt underground and even a small cathedral where the miners prayed.
Today some of the huge chambers that were excavated are used for weddings, concerts and festivals.
20,000 tonnes of rock salt was removed from one part of the mine and the cavern was converted into the Chapel of the Blessed King. It took 30 years to construct the elaborate church, from 1895-1927 and it measures 54m by 17m by 12m high and is more than 100 metres underground.
The impressive chandeliers are made from rock salt crystals. There are also carvings of biblical scenes and as the previous Pope came from Krakow, there is one of him too.
