Wieliczka

The Wieliczka Salt Mine (www.kopalnia-wieliczka.pl/english) in Poland is still a working mine, but not the part where tourists are allowed. The section we saw on our trip in August ’97 is a museum with figures carved in salt. There are two chapels dating from the 17th century made entirely of rock salt.

The highlight of the tour was the cathedral of the Blessed Kinga, a huge salt cathedral many feet underground. It was beautiful, and the artwork was magnificent. The tour involved descending 490 feet by elevator and taking a moderately strenuous walk, with steps.

Our guide gave the appearance of being very serious, but she had a unique sense of humor, and after our group lightened up to her, we found ourselves singing “Hi ho, hi ho” as we walked through the narrow tunnels.

NORINE MATTESON
Vacaville, CA