Development of the Salt Mine as a Tourist Attraction
The Salt Mine has developed as a premier tourist attraction in Poland with around 1.2 million people visiting the site every year. The mine has gradually gained popularity due to its historical significance and primarily because it contains several beautiful statues and a chapel that the miners carved out of the rock salt a long time back.
The touring route of the mine is adorned with lovely statues and carvings of mythical beings. The older sculptures were crafted out of the rock salt while the newer structures have been created by contemporary artists. The chandeliers have also been built out of rock salt crystals that were dissolved and then reconstituted to give the material a transparent and glassy look. One of the main attractions of the tour is the cathedral which is accompanied by a reception room that is used as a venue for private weddings.
The Salt Mine finds a place of honor on the original UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.
Visitors’ Information on the Salt Mine
To plan a visit the Salt Mine one should be aware of the timings since entry to the mine is organized according to schedules through the year. From April 1st to October 31st one can visit between 7:30 AM and 7:30 PM. From November 2nd to March 31st one can visit between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. The Salt Mine remains closed to visitors on November 1st, December 24th, 25th and 31st, on New Year’s Day and on Easter Sunday. One cannot visit the Salt Mine alone and the company of a tour guide is mandatory. For the tours to be sanctioned there has to be a group of visitors and hence, one often has to coordinate with other visitors.
Visiting the Salt Mine With the Baltic Travel Company
The Baltic Travel Company provides a Scenic Poland Tour package that one can avail to visit the mine. The package is spread over 7 days and 6 nights and is priced at £795 per person. The tour package includes visits to Warsaw, Krakow and Zakopane and involves visits to several beautiful, historically important and culturally rich places of Poland. From a chance to sample the local cuisine to an opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture and art of the nation, this tour provides an unhindered insight into the life in the region.