By Debi Lander
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Chances are you’ll not think about a salt mine an thrilling web site, however I’ll swear in any other case. Listed below are 4 extraordinary salt mines open to guests.
Wieliczka Salt Mine close to Krakow, Poland, earned one of many 12 spots on the very first UNESCO World Heritage record. Its operations date again to the thirteenth century, making it one of the crucial historic and well-known salt mines. The mine reaches so deep the Eiffel Tower may simply match. The complicated sprawls over 9 ranges, however vacationers descend solely three ranges.
Excursions start with a stroll down 380 stairs to the primary stage, about 210 ft underground. They cowl almost two miles on winding passageways and 800 stairs, however an elevator lifts you again to the floor.
The whole lot, together with the tunnel partitions, flooring, sculptures, and crystal decorations, is salt, aside from the picket helps. You see boring grey chambers the place salt sculptures inform tales: some historic, non secular, or quirky, like gnomes. One room incorporates figures depicting the legend of St. Kinga.
Centuries in the past, working underground wasn’t at all times secure, so the miners created chapels for prayer. The gorgeous Chapel of St. Kinga contains chandeliers that seem like glass, however are big rock salt crystals which were dissolved and reconstructed. Three males labored greater than 30 years to create this immense sanctuary, eradicating roughly 20,000 tons of salt.
The salt mine is free from micro organism, viruses, and pollution and supplies well being advantages. Many go to the non-public spa and wellness amenities for therapeutic functions.
Hallstatt, Austria Salt Mine: A few years in the past, I visited the cliffside village of Hallstatt, within the coronary heart of the Alps. Guests journey a steep funicular to the mine entrance perched excessive on a mountain overlooking the tiny lakeside hamlet. Earlier than getting into, friends don denim jumpsuits and sit all the way down to journey the miner’s slide to decrease depths — an enormous shock, however nice enjoyable.
Salt mining in Hallstatt dates again greater than 7,000 years, making it one of many oldest salt mining websites on the planet. Guided excursions embody the underground salt lake. Vacationers straddle a bench connected to a small practice to return to the floor. The Hallstatt salt mines supply guests a glimpse into the realm’s historical past, pure scenic magnificence, and one of the crucial breathtaking Austrian villages.
Whereas in Bogota, Columbia, I visited the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, one in all Colombia’s most well-known and distinctive points of interest. This outstanding cathedral lies inside a former salt mine. The miners constructed the primary chapel within the Nineteen Thirties and devoted it to the patron saint of miners. Over time, employees expanded the chambers, making a serene place of worship, like a standard Roman Catholic church with a dome, nave, and stations of the cross.
Guests progressively descend a darkish, downward-sloping walkway earlier than the sanctuary opens and results in chambers displaying inventive sculptures and colourful illumination. The cathedral, a fusion of artwork, faith, and geology, serves as a non secular web site and vacationer attraction. Hundreds of pilgrims and guests come to mirror and pray, particularly in the course of the Holy Week earlier than Easter.
The one salt mine within the U.S. open to the general public is Strataca, situated in Hutchinson, Kansas. The sprawling salt mine rests inside one of many world’s largest rock salt deposits. An extended, 90-second elevator journey transports you down 650 ft to the previous work space. Don’t fear about getting claustrophobic; guests enter a wide-open area after the elevator journey.
Self-guided shows and video stations clarify the mining strategies because the 1923 opening. Two trains give rides by the mine’s older, extra confined areas. The driving force narrates, talking concerning the challenges of working underground. The dry air creates a superb underground storage facility. The film business sends many movies, props, and costumes for safeguarding, seen on tour. Though Strataca doesn’t fairly measure as much as the extra inventive mines, it’s nonetheless fascinating.
Go to www.bylandersea.com to learn extra of native journey author Debi Lander’s tales and journey ideas.
Picture courtesy Debi Lander
Chapel of St. Kinga.
