The Bochnia Salt Mine is the oldest salt mine in Poland. The traditions of salt mining in the Bochnia area may be traced back 3,500 years B.C. The origins of the Bochnia mine as a mining plant reach back to the year 1248. The salt mine is the largest treasure of Bochnia lands thanks to its salt deposits which gave rise to one of the most significant economic centres of the medieval Malopolska region. Today the Bochnia Salt Mine is one of largest tourist centres of the region. Guests who arrive to the mine can travel along the Tourist Route leading from the August Level IV to the Sienkiewicz Level VI. The route includes additional attractions such as a multimedia exposition especially appreciated by children. The mine can be visited on foot and part of the route may be explored in an underground train as well as sliding 120 meters down a chute connecting two levels of the mine. Many tourists consider sailing underground in a boat as quite an extraordinary experience.
The Historic Route – An expedition into the Old Mountains is a unique attraction in the mine. It leads through the oldest mining works, never before available to tourists, where rock salt was mined from the Middle Ages until the beginning of the twentieth century. Here tourist finds out what it was like to work as a Medieval miner, called gwarek, and what kind of dangers they faced. The trip along the underground corridors begins at the depth of 700 meters – from the Danielowiec Level and ends in the August Level IV – 176 meters underground. The route is almost 3 kilometers long meandering through narrow corridors and ladder intervals. The route is considered to be of an increased level of difficulty.
The greatest treasure of the Bochnia mine is its unique therapeutic micro climate. It possesses therapeutic properties essential for treating allergies, rhinitis, throat catarrh and laryngitis, recurrent upper respiratory tract infections and skin allergies.
The Bochnia Salt Mine was entered onto the UNESCO List of World Heritage on 23 June 2013.
More information on Salt Mine in Bochnia is available at www.kopalnia-bochnia.pl
New offer, yet with long history, is Osada VI Oraczy, or Ploughmen Settlement, an Archaeological Park located next to the Campi Well. It actually is a reconstruction of the 13th century village, quite typical settlement in Małopolska. But Osada VI Oraczy is not just a regular museum. In the settlement medieval everyday life is actually ongoing. Visiting this unique museum gives you the opportunity to learn history and meet people from the past. You can visit houses of local craftsmen, try their work or face everyday struggle of a peasant. Archeology Park – Osada VI Oraczy – is perfect addition to your visit to Bochnia Salt Mine. First visit in a salty underground then journey to the past – directly to the 13th century.
More information on Plowmen Settlement is available at www.kopalniasoli.pl