Wieliczka, Salt Mine 1

We drove to Wieliczka, 6.2 miles south-east of Kraków, to visit the old salt mine. We have been tempted to visit mines in other countries, but have been assured this is the most spectacular, and it really must be. UNESCO says, "The historic Salt Mine in Wieliczka is the only site in the world where mining has continued since the Middle Ages. Lying on nine levels, its original excavations (longitudinals, traverses, lakes, as well as lesser and major shafts, and 3,000 chambers) stretch for the total of 300 kilometres (186 miles): reaching the depth of 327 metres (over 1,000 feet) they illustrate all the stages of the development of the mining technology over time."

We asked for an English-language tour, and one of the guides who had overheard our request said, “Go with me.” Once we were well below ground, we were hit, time after time, for more money, with one excuse after the other — for the film camera, then for the video camera, and to peek at this or that. It was so dark, few pictures are seeable. Well, since we aren’t likely to visit there again, we’ll just say he probably earned his ill gotten gains! The guide told us he had worked the Wieliczka mine for 20 years, then lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for many years (wonder which was the worst), and now is a guide.