Video: "The Last Supper" of salt and more Wonders of the Wieliczka Salt Cave (Poland)
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-10 02:10
If we had a chance to live five centuries ago, then the chances of visiting Wieliczka Salt Mine we would practically not have it. The thing is that in the 15th century only privileged persons could get into this mysterious dungeon with the personal permission of the king. Now, of course, everything has changed, and anyone can go down into the Polish mine, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And there is something to see …
Wieliczka is famous primarily for being one of the oldest salt mines on the planet. Salt has been mined here since the 13th century; over the course of seven centuries, a huge labyrinth arose underground, the total length of which is more than 300 km. Of course, visitors are attracted not only by the opportunity to see how the salt rocks lie, but also by the well-groomed and beauty of the mine (which our miners, unfortunately, never dreamed of): over the years, Wieliczka has become a real attraction. In numerous "rooms", equipped underground, you can see dozens of statues, many bas-reliefs, there are three chapels, each of which has altars, and chandeliers are mounted on the ceiling that are not inferior in beauty to crystal ones. Naturally, all this splendor is created from salt, which attracts millions of tourists every year.
The "pearls" of the salt mine are the chapel of St. Anthony and St. Kinga. Here you can see a bas-relief inspired by the "Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci, sculptures depicting the crucifixion of Christ, as well as the Virgin Mary with a baby in her arms. In addition, in the depths of the cave there are chambers of Casimir the Great and Nicolaus Copernicus, where busts of these great people are installed.
Wieliczka is also known for its medicinal properties: there is a special sanatorium for people suffering from respiratory diseases. A visit to the salt mine will also be interesting for those who are interested in history: here, with the help of sculptures, the whole process of the development of the salt-extracting industry, the stages of mine mechanization are "illustrated". Despite the fact that salt masterpieces have been preserved for many centuries, the main threat to them is high humidity, UNESCO constantly monitors that it does not exceed the permissible limits and finances projects aimed at maintaining optimal conditions in the mine.
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